The 'Type 052C destroyer' (NATO code name 'Luyang II' class, often referred to as '''
Lanzhou'' class' after the lead ship name) is a class of
destroyer built by the
People's Republic of China. Two Type 052C (Lanzhou class) air defence missile destroyers have been built by Jiangnan Shipyard of Shanghai for the
PLA Navy. The destroyers, based on the same hull of the
Type 052B (Guangzhou class) destroyer, feature an
APAR-style active
phased array radar system and vertically launched
HQ-9 naval version long-range air defence missile system. This class represents China's first true fleet air defence capability. The first-of-class No.170 Lanzhou was commissioned in 2004, followed by the second hull No.171 Haikou in 2005.
Programme
Following the launch of two
Type 52B multirole missile destroyers in 2002, Shanghai-based Jiangnan Shipyard started to build two Type 052C destroyers based on the same hull design, but with more advanced weapon systems and sensors specifically for fleet air defence role. The first-of-class ''170 Lanzhou'' was laid down in late 2002 and launched on
29 April 2003. The ship was commissioned in July 2004. The second ship, 171 Haikou was launched on 30 October 2003 and was scheduled to enter the service in 2005.
Unlike the Type 052B destroyer which is equipped with a mixture of Russian and indigenous systems, the Type 052C is completely based on indigenous technology (apart from a few sensors). The most notable feature is the indigenously developed four-array multifunction active
phased array radar Type 348 Radar (PAR) similar to the Netherlands
APAR system. Additionally, the destroyers are also fitted with the
vertical launch system (VLS) for the indigenous HQ-9 long-range air defence missile system, and the latest YJ-62 (C-602)
anti-ship missile, both of which are not seen on previous Chinese surface warships.
The destroyer is based on the same hull design and propulsions as the Type 052B destroyers which were launched earlier in the same shipyard. This modular approach would have saved construction time and costs. Compared to the Type 052B, the Type 052C has a much taller bridge, embedded with four fixed active
phased array radar antennas on the four sides. There is a stern helicopter flight deck and a hangar to accommodate two Russian
Ka-28-A or two Z-9 (Chinese version of the
Eurocopter Dauphin AS 365N) ASW/SAR helicopters.
Combat system
The destroyer’s overall air defence, surface strike, and
anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities will largely depend on how well different weapon systems and sensors are integrated together by the combat system. Most Chinese warships use the command and control system derived from the French Thomson-CSF TAVITAC, but the Type 052C might have a newly developed system with improved processing power to engage anti-ship missile threats. Another reason for the increased processing capability is to accommodate the
Ka-28 ASW helicopters which lack the onboard processing capability to process the information gathered, so the information has to be passed to the host ship for processing and then passed back to the helicopter via data links. Although Chinese claimed that combat data systems based on MIL-STD-1773 fiber optic databus standard have been already successfully developed by the early 2000's, it is highly unlikely this latest version is adopted for Type 052C, which is most likely still to have MIL-STD-1553B databus standard. Domestic Chinese media have claimed that the latest combat data systems based on MIL-STD-1553B standard currently in Chinese serive are versatile enough to be upgraded to MIL-STD-1773 standard eventually, but this is yet to be confirmed by sources outside China.
In together with its long-range air defence missile and
close-in weapon system (CIWS), the Type 052C is the first Chinese-made surface combatant with a true fleet air defence capability. The combat system will ensure that the ship can engage multiple air targets such as sea-skimming missile and aircraft simultaneously. The ship might also be able to transmit combat information to other ships and aircraft via datalink and satellite communications to form a maritime combat network.
Missiles
A total of 48
HQ-9 naval air defence missiles are carried in and launched from eight 6-cell
vertical launch systems (VLS). In contrast to previous reports which suggested that the system may be based on Russian technology, the VLS onboard the Type 052C appears to be an indigenous design
[1]. Unlike the Russian-style revolver VLS, each missile launch cell of the Type 052C VLS has its own lid, but it does use the same cold-gas ignition method. The missile system utilizes the so-called ‘cold launch’, in which the missile was first ejected from the launch tube, and then ignites its rocket engine at low altitude. This launch style avoids the complex flame and gas exhausting pipes on the Western-style ‘hot launch’ VLS. In comparison to the Russian cold-launch system, the Chinese VLS eliminates the revolver design by providing a lid for every launching tube, which can independently fire the missile inside because each has a cold-gas ignition chamber directly below. The result is simplified maintenance, decreased size, weight, and cost according to the Chinese claim. Due to the elimination of the revolver mechanism, the power consumption is also reduced in comparison to the Russian revolver design according to the same claim.
The HQ-9 is China's new generation medium- to long-range,
semi-active radar homing air defence missile. The missile is said to be an indigenous design while incorporating some Russian
S-300 rocket technique. The naval HQ-9 appears to be identical to the land-based variant.
The destroyer also carries two 4-cell YJ-85/C-805 or YJ-62/C-602 (disputed) anti-ship missile launchers installed between rear mast and the helicopter hangar
[2]. Unlike previous YJ-8X/C-80X series anti-ship missiles which are launched from box-shape launchers, the missile is launched from a new tube-shape launcher. The missiles are guided by the Band Stand radar installed on top of the bridge and a Light Bulb datalink forward of the hangar. The Band Stand targeting radar suggests some similarity with the
3M80 Moskit missiles used on the Sovremenny-class.
Guns
The Type 052C has two (one front, one rear) Type 730
close-in weapon system(CIWS) for short-range air defence. Two seven-barrel 30 mm
Type 730 CIWS are located both sides behind the bridge. The weapon system has a maximum rate of fire of 4,600~5,800 rounds/min.
The ship has a
Type 210 100 mm naval gun developed by 713 Institute on the basis of the
French Creusot-Loire T100C design. The gun can be used against surface targets and air targets such as aircraft and low speed missile, with a maximum rate of fire of 90 rounds/min. The gun can be operated in fully automatic mode from the radar control system, from the shipborne optical sighting system, or laid manually. The turret design incorporates strong radar cross-section reduction features. China has indigenously developed various guided projectiles for the 100 mm gun, such as the laser guided projectiles based on the similar projectiles developed for Chinese
main battle tanks, but it is highly unlikely that these guided projectiles are in service onboard the destroyer since the laser designators needed have not been observed yet. Chinese also claimed that
infrared guided projectiles for the 100 mm gun was also successfully developed, but trials revealed that the rate of fire would be significantly decreased because the loading system must switch between different rounds when the guided projectiles and the unguided projectiles are mixed in the same ammunition drum.
Anti-submarine systems
The ship is fitted with two triple 324 mm Yu-7 (Mk-46 Mod 1) antisubmarine
torpedo tubes. Additionally, the destroyer has four 18-barrel multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) installed on the front deck. The purpose of these MRLs remains unknown but is thought to be used to launch antisubmarine rockets, ground-attack rockets and/or decoys/chaffs.
Sensors
This class is equipped with a variety of radars, sonars and electro-optical sensors.
Radars
The ship is the first Chinese ship fitted with a multifunction active
phased array radar with four antenna arrays, with a reported name
Type 348 Radar. China originally imported an Ukrainian C-band active
phased array radar for evaluation, but decided that the radar did not meet the Chinese requirement. Instead, China adopted a domestic S-band multifunction active
phased array radar with four antenna arrays. The radar is indigenously developed by the Research Institute of Electronic Technology (also more commonly known as the 14th Institute) at
Nanjing,
Jiangsu province, and it is a successor to the 14th Institute's earlier indigenously developed Type H/LJG-346 SAPARS ('S'hipborne 'A'ctive 'P'hased 'A'rray 'R'adar 'S'ystem) that was completed in 1998. Chinese discovered that the S-band adopted by the American
AN/SPY-1 passive
phased array could be better suited for the requirements for the active
phased array radar as well. The radar has reported name of Type 348 Radar and a maximum range of 450
km, and a maximum resolution of 0.5
metres.
Ukraine provided technical expertise in integrating the active phased array radar with
ESM and the anti-stealth radar with
Yagi antenna, which in turn, is a successor to the earlier
Type 517H-1 (NATO codename: Knife Rest) long-range 2D air search radar. This
metre-wave radar operates in the VHF band and is designated as Type 517M by the Chinese. Like the
Type 348 Radar, this radar is also totally indigenous, and Chinese claim that it has better performance than the similar land-based JY-27 radar, which its accuracy is 150 meters for distance, one degree for angle, and its maximum range is 330 km. Type 517M radar, in contrast, has a maximum range of 350 km, but China has not released the details of its accuracy.
A Russian MR331 Mineral-ME (with
NATO reporting name Band Stand) fire-control radar (for anti-ship missile and for the main gun as its secondary mission) was capable of over the horizon targeting, and it has been installed on other newly built PLAN ships including
Type 054A frigate. The
Type 344 Radar is installed to provide fire control for the main gun, and for the
Type 730 CIWS as its secondary mission in case the locally mounted fire control radars for the
CIWS malfunctioned or damaged in battles. Two locally mounted LR66/TR47C radars derived from
Type 347 Radar provide fire control for the
Type 730 CIWS, and although these radars are also capable of providing fire control for the main gun, it is not known if such capability has been incorporated via the combat data system.
Type 364 Radar is installed in a
radome for air and surface search, and this radar acts as a supplement of the
Type 348 Radar and as a provider of target information for SAM and
CIWS, while also have the anti-ship missile targeting as its secondary mission.
Electro-optical (Optronics)
The OFC (Optical Fire Control)-3 electro-optical fire control system is a modular design that is consisted of a laser range finder, a color TV camera, and an IR camera, and the laser range finder can be replaced by a laser designator (for the laser beam riding SAM), the TV camera can be replaced by a night vision camera, and the IR camera can be replaced by a ImIR, at higher cost. Development to incorporate the dual band IR, night vision camera, and the color TV camera has been successfully completed, but it is unclear if these newly developed versions will be installed on any of the ships. The 'OFC-3' optronics is designed by the Central China Optronic (electro-optical) Research Institute. Although the advanced versions have been successfully tested, only the most basic version have been installed onboard Type 052C class, as acknowledged by the developer, and domestic Chinese media rumored the main reason was to reduce the cost. However, the adoptation of the most basic version of 'OFC-3' results in great decrease in the performance and effectiveness of the main gun, because without the laser designator needed, laser beam riding and semi-active laser guided projectiles can not be deployed for the
Type 210 100 mm naval gun.
The 'OFC-3' Electro-optical system is further supplemented by the 'IR-17 Infrared Surveillance Device' optronics, which is an infrared system only, and like 'OFC-3' system, it has also been installed on
Luzhou class destroyer and
Guangzhou class destroyer. The IR-17 system is usually installed on the forward mast just below the 3-D air search radar, and it is consisted of three parts: sensor head, operator console and electronic cabinet that contains other electronics including power supply. In comparison to 'OFC-3', more information is released on 'IR-17', including:
★ Sensor head weight: < 160 kg
★ Control console weight: < 390 kg
★ Electrical cabinet weight: < 300 kg
★ Sensor head size: 0.6 m x 0.9 m x 1.1 m
★ Control console size: 0.72 m x 1.05 m x 1.65 m
★ Electrical cabinet size: 0.6 m x 0.7 m x 1.65 m
★ Accuracy: 3 mrad
★ Range against sea-skimming
anti-ship missile with 0.1 square meter radar cross section: > 8 km
★ Range against
cruise missile: > 20 km
★ Range against aircraft with 3 square meter radar cross section: > 30 km
The 'JRSCCS' integrated command and control system is used to direct both the 'OFC-3' and 'IR-17'. In addition, the system can also be used to direct all on board weaponry and sensors, though as only an emergency backup measure for the combat data system, which 'JRSCCS' integrated command and control system is linked to. The 'JRSCCS' system is full automatic and only require a single operator when necessary. The operator console of the 'JRSCCS' is designated as 'JRMC' and is consisted of two multifunction color displays and a joy stick, and up to five 'JRMC' consoles can be deployed when required. According to the developer, such five consoles arrangement as the emergency backup of combat data system is located separately from the main
combat information center where the combat data system is located to ensure survivability, but it is not known for sure if this configuration had been adopted for Type 052C destroyer.
Like the H/ZBJ-1 combat data system onboard, the 'JRSCCS' is fully distributed and other computers can take over if one of the computer failed. The Chinese design reflected both the Russian and western influence: following the Russian / Soviet design tradition, information gathered by each sensor is processed locally as much as possible, and whenever it is possible by the local computer of the sensor, so that the burden on the combat data system and other C4I systems,so that their designs can be simplified. Despite this Russian / Soviet design tradition that is highly praised by the Chinese, the indigenous Chinese system still follows the western C4I design tradition in that even though the combat data system and 'JRSCCS' system could be simplified due to the increased local processing capability, they are not. Instead, they were designed as complex as their western counterparts so that they could process all of the information gathered by onboard sensors, so that in case the local computers of the sensors had malfunctioned, the information gathered could still be processed by passing it to 'JRSCCS' or combat data systems, which in turn, would take over the control and command of the sensors from its malfunctioned local computers. However, the cost of having such back up is that the price has been significantly increased, resulting in half of the cost of the ship for C4I. Another western design tradition incorporated by the Chinese was the open architecture software design.
Sonar
Like the
Sovremenny class destroyers, the
ASW weaponry onboard Type 052C destroyer is mainly for self-defense, since it is a class of air-defense destroyer. The ship is equipped with (SJD-8/9) medium-frequency hull-mounted active / passive sonar, which is a development of French DUBV-23 sonar, and the improvements in both the hardware and the software over the original French design enabled the sonar to be used as a torpedo approaching warning system as well. Encrypted underwater telephone and other communication gears are installed onboard to enable this class to be better coordinated with submarines in joint maneuvers.
Although both variable depth sonar such as ESS-1 medium-frequency VDS (the Chinese development of French DUBV-43 VDS) and towed array sonar were successfully tested onboard, these were abandoned because incorporating these extra sonars would lead to significant redesign of the hull and increased cost. Despite the fact that the extra processing capability reserved in the combat data system for the towed sonar and VDS when needed, it is highly unlikely that the towed sonar and VDS would ever be incorporated in the near future. The high frequency obstacle / mine avoidance sonar once originally planned to equip this class failed to materialize due to the same financial concern of reducing the cost.
UAV
According to the advertisements Chinese released during various defense / aerospace / electronic exhibations in the past, conversion kits have been developed for destroyers to deploy multiple
UAVs. and the developers of both the 'JRSCCS' and the combat data system have claimed that their products could handle the information needed to control
UAVs. However, it is highly unlikely that any long range
UAVs will ever be deployed onboard this class because the complete handling system to support these large
UAVs would need the entire hangar, thus displacing the only helicopter onboard. Chinese governmental media, however, did release photos of propeller driven light
UAVs being launched from destroyers and claimed that these light
UAVs could be deployed on every destroyer class currently in Chinese service, but as of mid-2007, it still can not be confirmed that if any light
UAVs has been onboard Type 052C class on a regular basis.
Helicopter
The ship’s stern hangar accommodates 1 Kamov Ka-28 (export version of the
Kamov Ka-27, NATO codename: ''Helix'') antisubmarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, or alternatively, 1 Z-9 ASW helicopter (Chinese version of the
Eurocopter Dauphin AS 365N), and both type can carry various weapons including torpedoes and
depth charges. The
Ka-28 helicopter can operate in all weather conditions up to 200 km from the host ship, but its onboard dipping sonar only has half the range of the Chinese copy of the French dipping sonar onboard Z-9, furthermore, it lacks the processing capabililty to process the information gathered, so the information has to be passed back to the host ship for processing via data links, while in contrast, Z-9 can process the information gathered onboard the helicopter, but with shorter range.
Although the sensors and weaponry carried by both helicopters are somewhat comparable to their western counterparts, the overall capabilities as ASW platforms for these helicopters are seriously hampered due to the installation of their radars: unlike the western belly-mounted radars with 360-degree coverage, the radars for Ka-28 and Z-9 are chin-mounted and nose-mounted respectively, thus creating huge blind spots. In order to overcome these blind spots, Ka-28 and Z-9 must fly in very complicated flight patterns, resulting in significant fuel consumption, thus decreasing the endurance and range in comparison to western ASW helicopters.
Propulsion
The ship’s propulsion is in the form of
CODOG, consisting of two Ukraine-made DA80/DN80
gas turbines rated at 48,600 hp and two Shaanxi
diesel engines (Chinese copy of the
MTU 20V956TB92) rated at 8,840 hp (6.5 MW).
The Ukrainian Zorya-Mashporekt company reported that in 1999-2000, 8 UGT25000 marine gas turbine engines were sold to China with manufacturing license.
[3] The UGT25000 is also known as DA80/DN80, and has power rating of 25-27 kW depending on configuration.
[4] These engines are most likely the ones installed on the 052C Destroyer.
Specifications
★ 'Unit cost' - Up to 800 million
US$ per ship, including 200 million for
CIWS,
SAM, &
VLS, and 400 million for
C4I systems.
★ 'Ships' - DDG 170
Lanzhou and DDG 171
Haikou as of 2006
★ 'Propulsion' - 2 Ukraine DN80 gas-turbines and 2
MTU Friedrichshafen 12V 1163TB83 diesels
★ 'Length' - 153 m
★ 'Beam' - 16.5 m
★ 'Draft' - 6 m
★ 'Displacement' - 7,000 t (full load)
★ 'Speed' - 30 knots (56 km/h)
★ 'Crew' - 250 (40 officers)
★ 'Combat Data System' - H/ZBJ-1
Information processing system designed by the 704th Institute (Reported speed: > 100 Mbit/s)
★ '
Data link': HN-900 (Chinese equivalent of
Link 11A/B, to be upgraded)
★ 'Communication': SNTI-240
SATCOM
★ 'Armament'
★
★ 8 large Anti-ship Missile in 2 x quad cells, possibly YJ-62 (C-602)
★
★ 48 vertically launched
HHQ-9 SAM
★
★ 1 x 100 mm
gun
★
★ 2 x 30 mm
Type 730 CIWS
★
★ 4 x 18 barrel
Multiple rocket launcher
★
★ 2 triple 324 mm ASW torpedo tubes
★
★ Aviation: 1
Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopter
External links
★
Chinese Defense Today (Sinodefense) page on 052C Destroyer
★
Chinese Defense Today (Sinodefense) page on the YJ-62 (C-602) Anti-Ship Missile
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