Type 055 destroyer
 Artist impression of the Type 055 destroyer | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Changxingdao-Jiangnan Shipyard |
| Operators: |
 PLA Navy Surface Force |
| Preceded by: | Type 052D |
| In service: | 2018 (estimated)[1] |
| Building: | 3[1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | ~10,000 tons |
| Length: | 175 m (574 ft)[2] |
| Armament: | |
| Aviation facilities: | Stern hangar |
The Type 055 destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers that is in development for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force.
Development
In April 2014, images showed a full-scale mock-up of the superstructure of a warship being erected at the Chinese naval electronic testing range in Wuhan. The mock-up featured an enclosed integrated mast for radar and other electronics.[2][3] Observers have concluded the shore-based facility was for a new class of Chinese warship, displacing approximately 10,000 tons referred to as the Type 055.[4] In 2015, the U.S. believed that construction could begin as early as 2016, and has tentatively classified it as a cruiser due to its size.[5][6] Chinese sources claimed the first Type 055 was ordered from the Jiangnan Shipyard in August 2014, with construction starting in December 2014; the second would be ordered from the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company.[2]
In 2015, military analyst Li Li claimed the Type 055 would have two 64-cell VLS grids (one fore and one aft) carrying YJ-100 long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, anti-submarine missiles, and anti-aircraft missiles.[7] The United States believes the ship would carry YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles.[8] In 2013, Richard Fisher speculated that, if Chinese development was extrapolated, the Type 055 might be the first Chinese warship to mount laser weapons.[9] Potentially owing to Chinese deficiencies in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the ship is expected to carry various undersea warfare systems such as towed array sonar, variable depth sonar, towed torpedo decoys, and active torpedo defenses.[10]
In an interview in 2015, Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo countered Western media claims that the Type 055 represented a 'game changer in naval warfare'. He regarded the Type 055 as equivalent to the U.S Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the emphasis of its estimated 10,000-ton displacement was exaggerated; the existing Japanese Atago-class destroyer is over 9,000 tons, the American Zumwalt-class destroyer is over 12,000 tons, and the Russian Udaloy-class destroyer is over 8,000 tons. Further stated that if the Type 055 were to mount laser weapons or electromagnetic railguns, the ship would require integrated electric propulsion to meet their power consumption.[11]
Ships of Class
| Number | Pennant number | Name | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Fleet | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. | Under Construction | |||||
| 2 | Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. | Under Construction[12] |
See also
- Ticonderoga-class cruiser
- Zumwalt-class destroyer
- Sejong the Great-class destroyer
- Slava-class cruiser
References
- 1 2 China's New Guided Missile Destroyer To Be Its Biggest Yet - Popularmechanics.com, 24 October 2016
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "China May Have Started Construction of Next Generation Destroyer Type 055 for the PLAN". Navyrecognition.com. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (9 April 2014). "The next new major Chinese warship arrives, on land". Popular Science. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ O'Rourke, Ronald (23 December 2014). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. p. 27. RL33153. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ United States Office of the Secretary of Defense: Annual Report To Congress 2015, p.41
- ↑ United States Office of the Secretary of Defense: Annual Report To Congress 2015, p.9
- ↑ Tate, Andrew (5 February 2015). "Chinese TV details missile plans for Type 055 destroyer". Janes. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ United States Office of the Secretary of Defense: Annual Report To Congress 2015, p.10
- ↑ Fisher, Richard D. (April 2013). "Considered Speculation: Future PLA Directions That Should Be Considered" (PDF). Defense Security Brief. Office of Defense Studies, Ministry of National Defense, Republic of China. 3 (2): 5. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ CHINA'S LARGEST SURFACE WARSHIP TAKES SHAPE - Popsci.com, 20 October 2016
- ↑ Zhang, Tao, ed. (8 January 2015). "Expert: Don't overanalyze PLAN's type-055 destroyer". China Military Online. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ↑ 中国第2艘055大驱进展曝光 将装备对陆攻击导弹(图)
- Bibliography
- United States Office of the Secretary of Defense (8 May 2015). Annual Report To Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2015 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 29 May 2015.