The naval forces of the People's Liberation Army of China want to receive a large number of modern ships capable of solving a wide range of tasks in the oceanic zone and ensuring the presence of the fleet in strategically important regions. To meet these requirements, the construction of the newest Project 055 destroyers is underway. A few days ago it became known about the beginning of sea trials of the lead ship of this type, which will be followed in the future by at least seven serial destroyers. It is expected that the ships of the "055" type will have the most noticeable impact on the potential of the Chinese fleet.
According to Chinese and foreign media reports, on August 24, the first Project 055 destroyer, Nanchang, left Shanghai for the first time. This ship was built in Shanghai at the Jiangnan-Changxing plant, which is part of the state shipbuilding corporation China Shipbuilding State Corporation. Over the next few months, the ship will have to pass all the necessary tests, according to the results of which it will be able to enter service. According to current plans, the destroyer will enter the Navy next year.
The lead destroyer pr. 055 "Nianchang" during the launching ceremony, June 2017. Photo: Bmpd.livejournal.com
The groundbreaking ceremony for the lead destroyer 055 took place in 2014. At the end of June 2017, the ship was launched, after which the completion of construction at the quay wall began. It took about a year to install all the necessary equipment and check the installed systems. Several weeks ago, preparations were made for sea trials, and on August 24, Nianchang left the port for the first time. The test plan and schedule, as always happens in such cases, was not specified.
It is expected that the emergence of a series of new destroyers of Project 055 will seriously affect the state of the PLA Navy, as well as the balance of forces in the Asia-Pacific region. According to various estimates, these ships may become one of the most important forces in the Pacific. These assessments are based on available information on the characteristics and combat qualities, as well as on the quantity and quality of weapons on board.
Destroyer or cruiser?
According to Chinese official documents, the new ships are classified as "10,000-ton class destroyers." "Nianchang" and its sisterships will have a length of about 180 m and a total displacement of 13 thousand tons. Thus, the new Chinese destroyers are included in the list of the largest and heaviest surface warships in the world that do not belong to aircraft carriers. The dimensions and displacement of the 055 ships have curious consequences in terms of classification.
A displacement of about 12-13 thousand tons is not at all typical for "traditional" destroyers - ships with such characteristics are usually referred to as cruisers. As a result, since last year, the US Department of Defense in its documents and statements has ceased to call the ships "055" destroyers. In the American classification, they are now listed as a Renhai-class cruiser. Many experts from a number of countries agree with this view of the classification. However, this does not prevent the Chinese fleet from building precisely "10,000-ton destroyers".
The dimensions and displacement atypical for destroyers were obtained for a number of obvious reasons. In accordance with the customer's assignment, the project 055 ship should carry a large number of various weapons. So, only vertical launchers should accommodate more than 130 missiles for various purposes. In addition to them, the ship has artillery, torpedoes, electronic weapons, etc.
Design features
The 055-class destroyer is a large surface ship built using modern technologies and current developments. It has a length of 180 m with a width of up to 20 m and a normal draft of 6, 6 m. The total displacement reaches 13 thousand tons, which directly affects the combat qualities of the ship.
"Nianchang" goes to trial, August 24, 2018 Photo: Cjdby.net
The design took into account the need to reduce the visibility of the destroyer for the enemy radar. As a result, the hull and superstructure have characteristic contours. So, the sides of the hull are connected to the sides of the superstructure, and the latter is distinguished by a small number of protruding nodes. In particular, most of the antennas on the mast are placed under the radio-transparent housing. Almost all of the ship's weapons are under the protection of the hull and superstructure panels.
A large ship needs an appropriate power plant. According to known data, the 055 project provides for the use of a COGAG-type system, built on the basis of four QD-280 gas turbine engines with a capacity of 38 thousand hp each. each one. The total power is more than 150 thousand hp. Also on board there are six QD-50 gas turbine generators with a capacity of 6700 hp each. each. The maximum speed with all engines is 30 knots. Sailing range - 5000 nautical miles.
The main means of monitoring the surface and air situation on the destroyer "055" is the radar station H / LJG-346B, which uses several antennas with an active phased array. Large antenna devices are installed on the front of the superstructure. It is also known about the use of various radars responsible for the search for targets and the use of weapons. To counter enemy systems, there is an electronic warfare complex, which includes jamming stations and launchers.
In the underwater part of the bow of the ship, there is a sonar station to search for enemy submarines. Also, the ship can use a manufactured long-haul antenna.
In the aft part of the superstructure, a hangar for two medium helicopters is provided. Behind it is the take-off platform. First of all, the new ships will have to carry the Harbin Z-9C or Changhe Z-18F anti-submarine defense helicopters. It is also possible to use machines for other purposes.
Armament
One of the reasons for criticism of the official Chinese classification of project 055 is the excessive amount of weapons for a destroyer, suitable for solving completely different combat missions. Using the existing systems, "Nanching" and subsequent ships of the series will be able to attack air, coastal and underwater targets of various types. Moreover, in terms of the size of its ammunition, the new Chinese ship surpasses not only the existing destroyers of foreign countries, but also some cruisers.
Head "055" near Shanghai. Photo: Cjdby.net
The main armament of the destroyer "055" are two universal vertical launchers. The first has 64 cells for transport and launch containers with missiles and is placed in front of the superstructure. The second includes 48 cells and is located in the center of the superstructure, in front of the hangar. The cell of such an installation has a diameter of 850 mm and a length of about 9 m. It is possible to use rockets with a mortar launch and a "hot" launch. Thanks to this, the destroyer can use all the main types of existing Chinese-made naval missiles.
To attack enemy surface ships, the destroyer must use YJ-18 missiles with a range of up to 540 km. The main part of the trajectory of such a weapon passes at a subsonic speed, and in the final section it accelerates to M = 3. Against coastal targets, it is proposed to use a naval modification of the "land" cruise missiles CJ-10. Such a product is capable of delivering a 500-kg warhead at a distance of up to 1500 km.
With vertical installations, medium and long-range anti-aircraft missiles of the HH-9 family should also be used. The existing anti-submarine missiles carrying homing torpedoes are also compatible with such installations.
In addition to a couple of universal mounts, the 055 ship carries several other weapons systems. On the tank is an H / PJ-38 artillery mount with a 130 mm cannon, designed for firing at surface, coastal and air targets. On the bow of the superstructure, directly behind one of the launchers, is placed a seven-barreled 30-mm anti-aircraft machine gun H / PJ-14.
The artillery is complemented by the HQ-10 short-range anti-aircraft missile system. In the aft part of the superstructure there is a separate vertical launcher with 24 missiles of this type. With their help, air targets can be intercepted within a radius of 8-10 km.
Before launching a destroyer, you can consider the design and equipment of the superstructure. Photo: Atimes.com
In the recent past, in the foreign press, there were references to the future expansion of the capabilities of the destroyers of the 055 project through the installation of a fundamentally new weapon. It was assumed that in the future, such ships could become carriers of combat lasers or rail guns. Whether such ideas can be implemented in practice is unknown. There is also a plausible version of the fundamental possibility of creating an interceptor missile, which will allow the use of ships "055" as part of a missile defense system.
Construction progress
According to known data, China plans to build at least eight ships of the 055 project. Golovnoy recently entered sea trials, and seven serial ones are already at various stages of construction. So far, it cannot be ruled out that the PLA Navy plans to order several more destroyers of the new project, but there are no official data on this at the moment.
To implement the plans of the command as soon as possible, it was decided to involve two enterprises in the construction of destroyers. Shanghai Jiangnan Changxing Shipbuilding and Heavy Industry Corporation is responsible for the lead and several serial ships. The second major order was awarded to Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in Dalian. According to current plans, the two factories are to build four ships each.
Shanghai shipbuilders have already coped with some of the tasks assigned to them. Last year they launched the lead ship of the series. A few days ago he was taken out for testing. At the end of April this year, another destroyer was launched in Shanghai. The other two ships are still on the stocks. Most likely, they will be launched and put on completion no later than next year. On July 3, 2018, two promising destroyers were launched in Dalian in one day. The other two ships are still in the assembly shops, but their launching should also take place in the foreseeable future.
Despite the large size of the ships and the complexity of construction, the two shipyards show very remarkable results. The first of the already built ships is planned to be accepted into the Navy next year. While maintaining the achieved pace of construction, all eight destroyers can be expected to begin service in 2022-23. By this time, the command may announce its intention to continue the series.
Strategy issues
By now, China's naval forces have become one of the most powerful fleets in the Pacific. In terms of quantitative indicators, they are second only to the US Navy. In addition, according to various estimates, there is a certain lag in quality. However, Beijing plans to lay claim to the title of the leading power in the region, for which, among other things, it is building a large and powerful fleet.
Rocket firing as presented by the artist. Image: Wikimedia Commons
The newest Project 055 destroyers / cruisers are part of a larger plan to build a powerful navy capable of claiming leadership. The combat strength of the Chinese fleet already has several dozen modern ships of the main classes, from corvettes to aircraft carriers. The appearance of "10,000-ton destroyers" should have a positive effect on the potential of the fleet in general and individual ship groups in particular.
In the 055 project, special attention is drawn to the proposed composition of weapons and their number. The destroyer can carry more than 130 missiles for various purposes, of which 112 are in a universal launcher. According to the available data, the ship is capable of monitoring the situation in the air, on the surface, on land and under water, as well as taking the necessary measures in relation to the objects found. In fact, "055" turns out to be a universal means for striking the enemy and at the same time protecting naval formations.
In terms of technical features and capabilities, the new 055 destroyers can be considered direct competitors of the American Ticonderoga-class URO cruisers. The existing and promising US destroyers - projects Arleigh Bukre and Zumwalt - cannot be fully considered analogs or rivals of the Chinese ship, since they are inferior in terms of ammunition load. At the same time, the Zumwalt-class destroyers are slightly larger than the 055-class ship, and also have a large displacement - up to 15-16 thousand tons.
Missile cruisers "Ticonderoga" with a displacement of 9800 tons are equipped with two universal launchers Mk 41, which accommodate 122 missiles of different types. Typical ammunition includes Tomahawk cruise missiles, SM-2 and SM-3 anti-aircraft missiles, and ASROC anti-submarine missiles. The number and proportions of missiles depend on the task at hand. At the same time, anti-ship missile weapons are represented only by the Harpoon complex with 8 missiles. The US Navy currently has 22 Ticonderoga cruisers. Half of these ships serve in the Pacific Ocean.
The appearance of eight new large-displacement destroyers with advanced missile armament capable of competing with foreign ships will allow the PLA Navy to more effectively solve its main tasks. The formation of ship groups with the participation of Type 055 destroyers will allow maintaining or expanding control over sea communications. If necessary, the fleet will be able to project force in a given region. The presence of ships with powerful strike weapons will increase this potential of the Navy.
Wishing to become the leading power in its region, China is building new warships. To solve urgent tasks, combat units of all types are required, including unusual destroyers of the "10,000-ton class". The first ship of this kind will enter service next year, with seven more to follow. It looks like the situation in the Asia-Pacific region will not be simplified. On the contrary, the presence of large and powerful ships will allow the main countries of the region to more actively promote their interests.
