Type 054B / Type 57 frigate
The name of this frigate has been variously called 054B and 057 over the years, but in recent times 054B appears to be the designation. The 054B nomenclature is misleading, in that the 5,000 ton Type 054B is much larger than the 4,000 ton Type 054A and is a completely new design, though inheriting a number of common features. The new class is a continuation of the previous Type 054A, primarily performing escort ASW with robust air combat and secondary general purpose objectives. The electric propulsion system has no need to configure the traditional reduction gear box. The prime mover is not rigidly connected with the shaft system, providing a major self-noise reductoin.
According to multiple sources, the 054A frigate has a light displacement of less than 4,000 tons. The full displacement of the 054B frigate will be further increased to around 5,000 tons. This surpassed the data on the displacement of the main warships in some European countries, indicating that the positioning of the 054B frigate in the Chinese Navy surface ships has been quite different from the 054A frigate. The displacement of warships determines its ability to resist wind and waves, fuel and ammunition loads, and to some extent is also an important indicator to analyze its combat effectiveness. This allows the 054B frigate to carry more fuel and ammunition on the basis of improving its endurance and self-sustainability. In line with the trend of the world's frigates moving towards large tonnage. For more than 10 years, many European countries have built large-scale air defense and general-purpose frigates after stopping the construction of destroyer ships. These frigates have a full displacement of more than 5,000 tons, and some have installed phased array radar and missile systems with a certain area air defense capability.
Replacing the new anti-submarine sonar system is obviously a way of "treating the symptoms and not treating the root cause". To fundamentally fill the largest short board of the 054A frigate, it is necessary to replace the marine power unit and propulsion system. As a result, the 054A frigate's major improvement, China's new generation of main battle frigate 054B came into being.
The 054A frigate temporarily acts as an anti-submarine ship in the Chinese naval aircraft carrier formation, and will be fixed by the 054B frigate in the future. The 054B frigate was first powered by electric propulsion in the Chinese Navy's main battleship. Because the electric propulsion system has good speed regulation characteristics, there is no need to configure the traditional reduction gear box. The prime mover part is not rigidly connected with the shaft system. The generator set is placed on the elastic base and connected with the propulsion motor through the cable, which can greatly reduce the ship's self-noise, and improve concealment.
With diesel-fired combined power, higher speeds can be achieved to keep up with the formation speed of the aircraft carrier. According to industry insiders in the ship's military industry, the 054B frigate may use a QC280 domestic gas turbine with an output of about 23 megawatts and two 16PA6STC diesel engines with a combined output of 10 megawatts. The total output of the power unit is about 33 megawatts.
With diesel-fuel combined power, higher speeds can be obtained in order to keep up with the speed of the aircraft carrier formation. According to industry insiders in the marine industry, the 054B frigate may use one QC280 domestic gas turbine with an output of about 23 MW , two 16PA6STC diesel engines with a total output of 10 MW, and a total power output of about 33 MW.
The 054B type is not a simple amplification of 054A type, an observers waited until the ships was in the water to know its true capacity. But capabilities can be estimated bassed on "tactical needs" and "technical possibilities" to start with a "portrait" of the ship. In order to improve airworthiness, the displacement will increase to 5,000 tons, mainly to increase the width of the ship, reducing the aspect ratio, wider warships are also conducive to hair and power cabin layout. Increasing the displacement and the width of the hull will significantly increase the resistance, while the speed will increase to 29 to 30 knots, so there is a need to significantly increase the total power output power. Types 051B and 051B, 051C of the displacement and weapons vary widely.
The biggest upgrade of the 054B frigate should be enhanced search and anti-submarine weapon configuration, including: the rear pod is equipped with a towed line array sonar, a fish-8 long-range anti-submarine missile, and one Z-18 or two Z-9 anti-submarine Helicopter. As a general-purpose frigate with anti-submarine as its main task, the 054B ship will build three three-dimensional search and anti-submarine networks in the middle, near and far.
In the long range, the 054B ship mainly relies on straight-18 or straight-9 anti-submarine helicopters and towed line array sonars to search and attack underwater submarines; in the medium range, the 054B ship mainly relies on Yu-8 long-range anti-submarine missiles to attack For submarines, the missile has a maximum range of 100 kilometers; at short range, the 054B ship mainly relies on light torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets to boost deep bombs to destroy shallow water targets within 10 kilometers.
As a general-purpose frigate with anti-submarine as its main task, the 054B ship will build a three-dimensional search and anti-submarine network in the distance. At a long distance, the 054B type mainly relies on Z-18 or Z-9 anti-submarine helicopters and towed line array sonar to search for and attack underwater submarines; in the middle distance, the 054B type mainly relies on the fish-8 long-range anti-submarine missile to attack. Submarine, the missile has a maximum range of 100 kilometers; at close range, the 054B type mainly relies on light torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets to boost deep-bombs to destroy shallow water targets within 10 kilometers.
The 054B may be equipped with a new type of 76mm stealth automatic gun, a ship's head equipped with a 1130 type near-defense system, and a stern equipped with a sea red flag. The Cheng Air-to-Air missile can carry 8 eagle-strike 83 anti-ship missiles in the middle, and can also carry 4 eagle-shot 12 large-scale anti-ship missiles, and the 054B is equipped with a 32-unit vertical missile launching system. Compared with the 054A frigate, the 054B's vertical missile launching system has a larger caliber. In addition to the improved red flag 16 air defense missile, the smaller caliber anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missiles can achieve “one pit and four bombs” and increase the number of missiles. At the same time as the type, it also greatly improved the firepower.
China reportedly launched the first hull of its new-generation frigate, allegedly designated the Type 054B, in Shanghai in mid-August 2023. On August 26, Shanghai’s Hudong Shipyard issued a no-sail notice, indirectly confirming this news. Observers expected it to be an advanced but also cost-effective versatile vessel for far sea operations. Photos emerged on social media show that the first Type 054B had been launched at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, US-based news website The Drive reported on 28 August 2023.
Photos that surfaced on social media at that time give a very good idea of the appearance of this warship and shed light on many of its features, although a large number of characteristics remain behind the scenes.
Calling the frigate one of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s most important future vessels, The Drive said the Type 054B is likely a continuation of the previous Type 054A, as it is expected to primarily perform anti-submarine warfare mission with anti-air warfare and anti-surface warfare roles as secondary, general-purpose objectives.
It will likely host the shipborne version of the Z-20 helicopter, which would provide a critical part of the frigate’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the report said. Compared with its predecessor, the Type 054B is larger, measuring about 147 meters in length and 18.5 meters in width with a displacement of around 6,000 tons, Navy Recognition, a dedicated naval news website.
The 32-cell vertical launch system (VLS) installed forwards of teh bridge could be the Universal Vertical Launch System, or UVLS, which is installed on the Type 055 and Type 052D destroyers and which uses both hot and cold launch missiles. Another option is the VLS used by the previous frigate, Type 054A, which can launch HQ-16 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and Yu-8 missile torpedoes. Aft of the main mast of the ship may be placed 8 inclined launchers with universal containers for Yingji-83 (subsonic) or Yingji-18 (supersonic) anti-ship missiles. Or instead of inclined launchers, it is possible to place vertical launchers of 12 or 24 cells in the central part of the ship, in which from 4 to 8 anti-submarine missiles of the “Fish-8 or 11” type, from 8 to 12 subsonic and up to 8 supersonic anti-ship missiles may be installed.
The new frigate is equipped with a dual-face active phased array radar system plus an integrated radio frequency mast similar to that on the Type 055 destroyer, Navy Recognition said, noting that this enhances the ship's air situational awareness and air defense capability. Similar to the Type 054A, the Type 054B likely has a 32-cell vertical launch system that can accommodate HQ-16 long-range air defense missiles and Yu-8 rocket-assisted torpedoes, as well as two quadruple YJ-83 anti-ship missile launchers, according to Navy Recognition.
Instead of two 1130 close-in weapon systems equipped by the Type 054A, the Type 054B is armed with only one close-in weapon system, but is added with an HQ-10 short-range air defense missile system, the report said. Another major change is that the Type 054B is seemingly fitted with a new 100mm main gun, replacing the Type 054A’s 76mm main gun and offering more range and power. This enhancement allows the Type 054B to better execute sea and shore bombardment missions, amplifying its combat prowess and diversified strike capabilities, Navy Recognition said. Navy Recognition among other overseas media reports suggested that the Type 054B is likely equipped with a fully electric propulsion system.
Detection of underwater targets is assigned to the SJD-9 mid-frequency active towed hydroacoustic station, which should provide torpedo guidance and low-frequency active-passive towed variable depth sonar "Type 311". Together, the two GAS will be able to detect underwater targets at a distance of up to 80 km and simultaneously allow them to track up to 5 targets.
Type 726 box launchers are mounted on either side of the aft superstructure. These 24-cell launchers can be loaded with flares, chaff cartridges that blind enemy radars, active decoys equipped with small radio frequency jammers, and even anti-submarine missiles armed with small depth charges. Thus, these launchers can provide protection against incoming anti-ship missiles, but can also be used to destroy submarines, torpedoes and combat divers.
The Type 054B is expected to house the Z-20F, a multipurpose maritime helicopter that shares many similarities with the American SH-60 Seahawk, including a very similar overall appearance, hence the knickname "Copyhawk". The Z-20 will provide an important part of the Type 054B's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, but will also perform support missions and likely engage in anti-surface warfare as well.
The displacement of the Type 054B might also exceed 6,000 tons, about 2,000 tons heavier than the Type 054A. Additionally, the Type 054B has replaced the copied 366 radar and the 382 air and surface search radar found on the Type 054A with an S-band dual-faced phased array radar, colloquially referred to as the “mini shield”. This change enhances stealth capabilities, improves situational awareness, and reduces dependency on targeting with the 382 radar.
China had not officially announced the launch of the new frigate or its details, including its name and capabilities. It is normal that China develops new vessels amid technological developments and as its navy make strides toward becoming a blue-water navy, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times. Overseas media reports might not be accurate, but more details could emerge as the ship would eventually enter service, the expert said.
A far sea-operable frigate is generally characterized by its versatility, reliability, cost efficiency and comfortability, the expert said, stressing that not all advanced and expensive equipment should be hoarded on a frigate when destroyers are available.
Another hull of the Type 054B is under construction at Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, The Drive reported. he new Type 054B frigate could be mass produced just like the Type 054A frigate and the Type 052D destroyer, as they are expected to accompany aircraft carriers, amphibious ships and destroyers in far sea voyages, analysts said.
For the longet time, this dog had not barked. As of early 2023, there were no reported indications of the commencement of building the first unit of this class. Chinese media continued to report on this forthcoming Frigate, and plausible new artwork continued to proliferate. China announced plans for a new multi-role frigate class warship in 2013. At that time the lead ship was expected to be commissioned by the PLAN in 2016 or 2017, but by early 2023 no ships had been forthcoming.
The 054B frigate, which was designed in 2016, has been delayed for some reason. In summary, if the Navy ’s medium-term plan is to build six aircraft carrier formations, it will build a large surface ship with full combustion, full drive, and full armament. Therefore, no new frigates would be built in the medium term. There were already dozens of frigates in the navy, sufficient to defend patrol, alert, fisheries, anti-submarine and other tasks along the coast and in the middle and offshore China.
The 054B missile frigate was the first large main surface ship of the Chinese Navy to carry out a design competition. It completed the comprehensive demonstration of the project in early 2012, and then began the design work. The 054B frigate was designed and bid by two shipping companies. Among them, CSSC submitted a three- hull plan, while CSIC Group was a conventional hull plan, and the CSIC Group won. The tri-ship plan was abandoned by the Navy and does not mean that it is behind the conventional hull scheme at the technical level. Just as a user, the Chinese Navy had a comprehensive consideration of its own needs and operational capabilities. It can only be said that the Navy chose the one that best met its own needs.
The 054B frigate is considered to be an enhanced version of the 054A frigate and the final form of the previous 054A design. Compared to the 054A frigate, the ship has achieved many leap forwards such as integrated radio frequency, all-electric propulsion, phased array radar, and new combat systems. Moreover, the stealth design of the ship is also outstanding.
The 054B frigate was the first to use electric propulsion in a surface warship of the Chinese Navy. Because the electric propulsion system has good speed regulation characteristics, there is no need to configure a traditional reduction gear box. The prime mover part is not rigidly connected to the shaft system. The generator set is placed on an elastic base and connected to the propulsion motor through a cable, which can greatly reduce the ship. Self-noise, and improve concealment.
If the 054B frigate exists, it is likely to follow two principles in the improvement: first, the combat capability has been greatly improved, but the price cannot be significantly improved, and it must be upgraded and modified under the control of cost risk, otherwise Lost the life of this frigate. Secondly, 054B does not need to be "tall", and it does not need to be on par with 052C or even 052D in terms of combat capabilities. It is still a frigate. In the development and construction, it is necessary to consider compatibility with the 054A mid-term modification work and finally achieve " Spend little money on big things."
The formation of the carrier Liaoning Ship consists of a 052D destroyer, a 051C destroyer, three 052C destroyers, two 054A frigates, and a 901 large-scale integrated supply ship. As the 054A uses a diesel engine, the power is not sufficient, and the speed is different from other ships. As a escort ship of the Liaoning ship, it is somewhat slow. After the power system is updated in the future 054B, the speed will be greatly increased, which can fully meet the speed of the carrier battle group.
Although the Chinese Navy already has a certain number of 052C and 052D air defense destroyers, from the perspective of the weapon configuration of these two ships, it is mainly used to perform regional air defense missions for formations. Although the 10,000-class destroyer type 055 is an all-purpose warship with various tasks such as air defense, regional anti-missile, land attack, anti-ship and anti-submarine, the ship is expensive and impossible for the Chinese navy. Each ocean-going fleet is equipped with a Type 055 ship. In short, the 054B frigate will become a low-end anti-submarine ship in the ocean fleet and become a partner of the high-end 055 and 052E destroyers.
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