New batch of 055 destroyers has been completed? The progress of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy equipment is impressive, and the third batch of 055B - a 20,000-ton class large destroyer - is about to be built?
01. The 13th 055 is painting and preparing for launching?
According to the latest satellite images from a shipyard in Shanghai, a large warship has been freshly painted and is in the final stage of preparation for launching. This warship is the fifth of the second batch of 055-class 10,000-ton destroyers and will be commissioned as the 13th.
Analysts pointed out that the launching ceremony is likely to be held during the National Day holiday, which has special significance, to pay tribute to the motherland. At the same time, the 11th 055 ship previously moored in the same basin has been moved to the berth of the original Fujian aircraft carrier, while the Fujian aircraft carrier quickly left the shipyard two weeks ago and headed south to the Taiwan Strait area, arriving near the South China Sea, and it is highly probable that it will be commissioned on October 1st this year.
The U.S. media "Military Observation" previously published an article stating that after the first batch of 8 055 destroyers were all commissioned, China quickly placed an order for the second batch of 6 modified 055 destroyers. Since the first ship of the second batch, 109 "Dongguan", was launched in 2023, four have already been launched, and the fifth is now in the final stage of preparation for launching, as mentioned above.
The remaining last ship of the second batch of 055 destroyers is currently entering the final stage of outfitting before launching. It is estimated that it will not be launched by the end of this year, but may be launched in mid next year. This means that the much-anticipated "second batch of 055 dumplings" is about to be completely launched.
With the gradual commissioning of the six 055 destroyers of the second batch, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy will have a fleet of 14 055-class destroyers with a displacement of over 10,000 tons. This powerful force will form multiple highly integrated combat-capable aircraft carrier strike groups and long-range operational combat formations along with the large-scale 052D series destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious assault ships.
The 055, with a displacement of more than 12,000 tons, 112 large general-purpose vertical launch units, dual-band radar, and other advanced sensors, as well as excellent stealth performance, not only serves as the pillar of the formation's regional air defense, but also its powerful anti-sea, anti-land strike capabilities and information warfare capabilities make it a true pillar of the Chinese naval fleet. It has achieved a performance breakthrough against the U.S. "Arleigh Burke III" and Japan's "Moyu" class destroyers. The rapid commissioning of these ships will greatly enhance the Chinese Navy's strength and confidence in going to the open sea and dealing with complex security challenges.
02. The 055B is about to appear?
It can be said that the completion of the second batch of 055 construction tasks is not an end, but a new beginning. Especially the third batch of 055 destroyers, which are about to be built, will have greater differences from the previous batches, becoming the second generation of 10,000-ton destroyers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. Previously, the U.S. media named the new generation of 055 destroyers as 055B.
Moreover, there was once an academic paper publicly released online from Harbin Institute of Technology, which revealed the conceptual design of the future large destroyer of China.
The paper points out that compared to the current 055, the 055B is completely renewed, with the tonnage rising to the 20,000-ton level, far exceeding the standard of 12,000-13,000 tons of the 055, and in fact, it can be considered a cruiser. Its length is further increased to 200 meters, and the larger hull provides broad space for accommodating more weapons, more advanced equipment, and better seaworthiness.
The U.S. media stated that the larger tonnage, stronger endurance, and more comprehensive weapon configuration allow the 055B to better accompany the aircraft carrier battle group to carry out long-term overseas deployment missions or independently perform deterrence and combat missions in key areas.
03. 055B, a comprehensive upgrade from 055
In addition, the paper states that the revolutionary breakthrough of the 055B compared to the previous model 055 is the new all-electric propulsion system and advanced equipment such as laser cannons and electromagnetic cannons.
Although the 12,000-ton platform of the 055 is already leading, it still feels cramped for the demand of the next-generation high-energy weapons (such as electromagnetic guns and laser weapons). The peak power of the electromagnetic gun requires megawatt-level power supply, and traditional mechanical propulsion systems cannot meet it. The cooling and energy requirements of laser weapons are also no small matter.
The 20,000-ton platform of the 055B not only provides space for these "energy-hungry" systems, but also the new all-electric propulsion system can efficiently and flexibly distribute the ship's electricity, laying the foundation for the installation of high-energy weapons, and can significantly improve maneuverability, reduce noise, and greatly save the ship's space.
As for the electromagnetic cannon, China is among the top in the field of electromagnetic cannons, especially for large-caliber shipborne electromagnetic cannons. At least ten years ago, the PLA had conducted a series of tests on shipborne prototype cannons. Compared to traditional main guns, electromagnetic cannons have potential advantages such as longer range, lower cost of projectiles, and controllable destructive power, making them a necessary direction for naval weapons. This type of cannon is more excellent in anti-missile and air defense operations.
As for laser weapons, there is no need to say more. During the September 3rd military parade, the navy's existing laser cannon system was officially publicized. This system is mainly mounted on both sides of the 055B, responsible for defending low-altitude targets, drones, and small unmanned boats, with fast response and low single-shot cost, making it an ideal choice for dealing with asymmetric threats.
According to the further analysis in the paper, due to the overall increase in the size and volume of the 055B, its missile carrying capacity has been significantly improved. The 055 has 112 vertical launch units, with 64 in front and 48 in the back.
The 055B has 80 in front and 64 in the back, totaling 144 large-caliber vertical launch units. In addition, it has the ability to carry four missiles per cell, allowing it to easily carry more than 200 types of missiles, including the latest high-speed missiles family of the PLA (wave-shaped high-speed, double-cone high-speed, and scramjet high-speed cruise missiles). It can be said that the 055B will become the most advanced large shield ship with the strongest armaments. Its air defense, anti-missile, anti-ship, and land-strike capabilities will comprehensively surpass the similar combat ships of the United States and the West.
To sum up, if the 055B really adopts new ship technologies such as full electric propulsion, compared to the 055, the cycle from the start of construction, launching, to finally forming combat capability may be relatively longer, so we need to be patient and cautiously optimistic.
However, it is worth rejoicing that in terms of destroyer technology, the PLA has already achieved a comprehensive breakthrough over Russia and the West, and has completely rewritten the rules of modern naval warfare.
Some content of the article comes from the following sources: 1. The mainland's drone weapons arsenal has everything! Taiwanese military experts praise the PLA's combat strength, Strait Daily News
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7554808311007232527/
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