Type 01 Chengdu - Upgrades
In the 1970s, a large number of retired US destroyers entered services peripheral to China. The main and auxiliary guns of these destroyers are stronger than those of the Chinese Navy's active frigates, while the Chinese Navy destroyers of the same class only had 4 Type 07 destroyers, so the maritime confrontation was at a disadvantage.
On the other hand, in the early 1970s, medium-sized and above surface ships of developed countries such as the Soviet Union generally started using ship-to-ship missiles as their main anti-ship weapons. In addition to the 021 missile boat of the Chinese Navy, only the 07 destroyer had modified missile launchers. In order to increase the number of missile ships and strengthen the anti-ship capabilities of surface ships, the navy decided in 1970 to retrofit its newer 01-type frigate to the Upstream-1 (SY-1) anti-ship missile. The modification project was undertaken by a navy factory.
After preliminary design preparations, in May 1971, the first modified ship of Type 01 frigate entered the factory. After the modification of the first ship and the missile launch test, the factory listened to the opinions of the troops, and according to the use practice, the modification of the plan made some adjustments, such as appropriately increasing the altitude of the missile attack radar, and leaving necessary space between the attack radar and the alert radar.
By September 1973, the modification of the fourth ship was completed, and the modification order was 208, 205, 207, and 206. Modifications of Type 01 frigates include: missile launchers, missile attack radars, command and control facilities, and more. Among them, the Upstream-1 missile launcher uses a 7225 type dual-mounted rotary missile launcher, which is an improvement of the 7224 launcher modified by the 07 destroyer. The differences are mainly due to the better productivity of the rotary device and missile protection. The tank is equipped with thermal insulation and ventilation, which can improve the environmental conditions of the missile and the operator.
After the modification of the Type 01 frigate, the torpedo launcher was removed, and a double joint rotary SY-1 missile launcher was added. After the modification, the ship's displacement increased by about 20 tons. The crew increased slightly, the overall performance is basically unchanged, and the combat capability against the sea has been greatly enhanced. After being equipped with anti-ship missiles, even in the face of contemporary Taiwanese destroyers, the Type 01 frigate also had a firepower advantage.
After the modification work was completed, each ship also conducted missile launch tests, including single-shot, double-shot salvo, and two-ship formation volley, and launched a total of 8 upstream SY-1 missile inert bombs. 2 shots, 9 hits, of which 5 hit directly. Anti-ship missile modification is completed, 01 frigates and Type 65 frigates together, become the main surface of the water in the South China Sea naval strike force.
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