Originally posted by insouciant:
with so much "non-stealth" angles and protrusions, you have to question the stealthiness of the boat, even with special radar absorbing paint.
Notice the rocket launcher and the main gun in the front - major radar reflectors.
Yes, to have stealth with you is always a plus, but without it for a battleship is not that bad because ship is not the aeroplane, just think of the highly rated Israeli SAAR 5 corvette, it was almost perfect in very brochure till one fine night, it was hit by a 80 era AshM that revealed so much. In a real warfare, no one knows exactly whatÂ’s going to happen. So in order to overly achieve the stealthy for a ship but scarify other more practical features may not be wise.
By the way, 054 FFG is just the trial version, only 2 were built, 526 Wenzhou is one of them.
The Chinese are currently building the improved 054A FFGs with VLS HQ16 SAM and possible C803 AshM in different shipyards .
054A FFG being built in Huangpu Shipyard in Guangzhou.
Another 054A FFG being built in Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai. Along with a LPD.
China launches Russianised Jiangkai-class frigate
Huangpu shipyard launched the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) third Type 054 Jiangkai-class frigate on 30 September, a modified 'Russianised' version of the class known as the Type 054A.
The Guangzhou-based shipyard has started outfitting the ship with the Russian Mineral-ME (NATO: 'Band Stand') radar system, a Fregat M2EM ('Top Plate') search radar and two MR90 Orekh ('Front Dome') targeting radars. As a result, the new frigate has much stronger Russian characteristics than its earlier sister ships.
Both Mineral-ME1 active and Mineral-ME2 passive radars have been fitted to the ship to provide target designation for the YJ-83 'Saccade' anti-ship missile. Mineral-ME1 works in I-band and is capable of simultaneously tracking 30 targets out to 250 km, while ME2 can track 50 targets working across I, G, E, F, and D-bands up to 450 km. With the targeting function engaged, the system can work up firing solutions for 10 different targets.
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© 2006 Jane's Information Group
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