Type 055 destroyer
 Artist impression of the Type 055 destroyer | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Changxingdao-Jiangnan Shipyard |
| Operators: |
 People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force |
| Preceded by: | Type 052D |
| Building: | 1 (?) |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | ~10,000+ tons (estimated) |
| Length: | 175 m (574 ft)[1] |
| Armament: | |
| Aviation facilities: | Stern hangar |
Type 055 destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers that is in development for the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force.
Development
In April 2014, images showed a full-scale mock-up facility of the superstructure of a large 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.[1][2] Observers have concluded the shore-based facility was for a new class of Chinese warship, displacing approximately 10,000+ tons, and 12,000 tons fully loaded, popularly referred to as the Type 055.[3]
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.[4] The United States believes the ship would carry YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles.[5] In 2013, Richard Fisher speculated that, if Chinese development was extrapolated, the Type 055 might be the first Chinese warship to mount laser weapons.[6]
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.[7][8] 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.[1]
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 lasers or electromagnetic railguns, the ship would require a power system that would be revolutionary for the PLAN.[9]
See also
References
- 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. 25. RL33153. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Zhang, Tao, ed. (8 January 2015). "Expert: Don't overanalyze PLAN's type-055 destroyer". China Military Online. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- 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.