Type 052B destroyer

Type 052B Guangzhou-class destroyer in Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Class overview
Builders: Jiangnan Shipyard
Operators:  People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force
Preceded by: Sovremennyy-class destroyer
Succeeded by: Type 051C Luzhou class
In service: July 2004
Completed: 2
Active: 2
General characteristics
Displacement:
  • 5,850 tons standard[1]
  • 6,500 tons full load
Length: 155 m
Beam: 17 m
Draught: 6 m
Propulsion:
Speed: 30 knots
Complement: 280
Armament:
Aircraft carried: 1 helicopter: Kamov Ka-27
Aviation facilities: Single helicopter hangar

The Type 052B or Guangzhou class destroyer (NATO reporting name: Luyang I class) is a class of multirole missile destroyers built by the People's Republic of China. Two ships have been built, with Guangzhou (168) and Wuhan (169) both being commissioned into the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force in July 2004. This class features a stealthy hull and significantly improved air defence systems, an area that had been a major weakness on previous ships designed by China. These ships represent a major improvement over older generation vessels and reflects the PLAN's need for more modern destroyer designs.

Programme

The Type 052B (Guangzhou class) multirole missile destroyer was the first Chinese-built warship capable of area air defence. When domestic systems could not be ready in time for Type 051B destroyer, China was forced to purchase two pairs of Sovremennyy-class destroyer to fill the gap left behind in the fleet area air defense. By the time of Type 052B, China had already gained tremendous experience from Russian systems and Chinese domestic systems were also ready. As a result, Type 052B is built with considerable Russian technology including the Russian-made 9M38 Buk-M1-2 (NATO codename: SA-N-12 Grizzly) air defence missile system, an extremely effective air defence system with a range of 38 km. Most military analysts expect the Guangzhou class to be similar to the Russian Sovremenny class destroyer in terms of general performance.[2]

The modern capabilities of this vessel demonstrate the Chinese desire to build up their blue-water navy and ability to project force into deeper waters. This shows a strong internationally-influencing naval force is being developed and will be a force to contend with in the future.[2]

Design

The displacement of the Type 052B is about 5850 tons standard[3] and 6500 tons full load. The ship features a "low point" design and combines this with radar absorbing paint to reduce radar signature. The ship's funnel incorporates cooling devices to reduce infrared signatures. The stern flight deck can host a Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopter.[4] The chief designer of this class is the academician Mr. Pan Jingfu (潘镜芙), who is also the designer of the previous two classes.

The Type 052Bs incorporate an extensive array of weapons systems. She is equipped with two missile launchers, one forward and one aft on the ship. These launchers can launch the SA-N-12 Grizzly Surface-to-Air Missile. Each launcher has two dedicated MR-90 Front Dome fire control radars and carries a total of 48 missiles. The primary mission of Type 052B is providing area air defense for the fleet, so anti-shipping mission is secondary, which is handled by 4 quad YJ-83 Anti-Ship Cruise Missile launchers located amidships. For guns she has a 100mm cannon in 'A' position and this was also the first PLAN vessel to be equipped with a Close-In Weapons System. For sub-surface threats, she is armed with 2 triple 324mm Yu-7 Anti-Submarine torpedo tubes and two Type 75 twelve-barrel 240mm antisubmarine rocket launchers. The Type 052B is equipped with four 18-barrel Type 724 chaff launchers for part of its self-defense suite. No 169 was used a testbed for domestic gas turbine propulsion system, with one of the original DN80 gas turbine replaced by domestic Chinese produced QC-280, and experienced showed that domestic Chinese engine has performed satisfactorily.

Sensors

Radar

The Type 052B uses either a Fregat-MAE-5 (Top Plate) 3D search radar or a Type 382 Radar (Upgraded version from Type 381 Radar "Sea Eagle S/C") 3D air/surface search radar, mounted at the top of the forward mast. Four MR90 Front-Dome radars provide fire control for the SA-N-12 missiles. A Type 344 fire control radar controls the main gun. A bandstand radar provides fire control for the YJ-83 ASCM missile.[4]

Specifications

Ships of Class

Number Pennant number Name Builder Launched Commissioned Fleet Status
1 168 广州 / Guangzhou Jiangnan 20 May 2002 July 2004 South Sea Fleet Active.
2 169 武汉 / Wuhan Jiangnan Oct 2002 Late 2004 South Sea Fleet Active.

References

  1. ↑ 官媒正式公開廣州艦噸位等數據, china.com, 2007-07-25, in Chinese
  2. 1 2 Luhai - People's Liberation Army Navy
  3. ↑ 中國海軍新型艦艇編隊遠航歐洲參加軍演, china.com.cn, 2007-07-25, in Chinese
  4. 1 2 Type 052B Luyang Class Missile Destroyer - SinoDefence.com
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