PRC Jin-class SSBN Spotted
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New Chinese Ballistic Missile Submarine Spotted,By Hans M. Kristensen--http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2007/07/new_chinese_ballistic_missile.php
A commercial satellite image appears to have captured China's new nuclear ballistic missile submarine. The new class, known as the Jin-class or Type 094, is expected to replace the unsuccessful Xia-class (Type 092) of a single boat built in the early 1980s.
The new submarine was photographed by the commercial Quickbird satellite in late 2006 and the image is freely available on the Google Earth web site.
A Comparison of SSBN Dimensions
Two satellite images are now available (see figure below) that clearly show two missile submarines with different dimensions. One image from 2005 shows what is believed to be the Xia-class (Type 092) SSBN in drydock at the Jianggezhuang Submarine Base approximately 14 miles east of Qingdao. The submarine is approximately 390 feet (120 meters) long of which the missile compartment makes up roughly 80 feet (25 meters). Twelve missile launch tubes are clearly visible.
The second image from late 2006 shows what appears to be the new Jin-class (Type 094) SSBN moored at the Xiaopingdao Submarine Base south of Dalian, approximately 193 miles north of Qingdao. The Jin-class appears to be approximately 35 feet (10 meters) longer than the Xia-class SSBN, primarily due to an extended mid-section of approximately 115 feet (35 meters) that houses the missile launch tubes and part of the reactor compartment.
The extended missile compartment of the Jin-class seems seems intended to accommodate the Julang-2 sea-launched ballistic missile, which is larger than the Julang-1 deployed on the Xia-class. Part of the extension may also be related to the size of the reactor compartment. The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimated in 2004 that the Jin-class, like the Xia-class, will have 12 missiles launch tubes (see figure below). Other non-governmental sources frequently claim the submarine will have 16 tubes. The satellite image is not of high enough resolution to show the hatches to the missile launch tubes.
The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimated in December 2006 that China might build five Jin-class SSBNs. The estimate has been widely cited by non-governmental institutes and some news media as a fact, but the Pentagon's annual report on China's military forces from May 2007 did not repeat the estimate.
Background: Chinese Nuclear Forces and US Nuclear War Planning | Pentagon Report Ignores Five SSBN Projection
The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimated in 2004 (bottom) that the Jin-class SSBN would have 12 missiles. -
Finally something to replace their single problematic Han class boat. Interesting that they continue to go with the names of the dynasties though not in a chronological order. We shall see Qing class eventually.
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nothing escape the intruding eyes of uncle sam satellites..
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is it a counterfeit?
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time for China to 'blind' some satellites with laser beams
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why don't wow the world by putting weapons in space?Originally posted by qpicanto:time for China to 'blind' some satellites with laser beams
they don't give a crap about what other countries feel about them anyways. space-borne weapon systems should not matter either. -
Originally posted by beavan:
Hmmm...haven't they been emphasizing the bit bout the peaceful rise of China thingy?
why don't wow the world by putting weapons in space?
[b]they don't give a crap about what other countries feel about them anyways. space-borne weapon systems should not matter either.[/b] -
It looks like a knock off from the Russian Delta I/II/III/IV class and the newer Yury Dolgoruky.
Not surprising given they went to Russia to shop for all the tech they needed for this ship. -
so... it is a counterfeit after all!Originally posted by Fingolfin_Noldor:It looks like a knock off from the Russian Delta I/II/III/IV class and the newer Yury Dolgoruky.
Not surprising given they went to Russia to shop for all the tech they needed for this ship. -
It should be a clone, like how they clone handphones and DVDs and games and bridges and people...Originally posted by the Bear:so... it is a counterfeit after all! -
u havent mentioned even a minute portion of the things they cloneOriginally posted by jetabt767400:It should be a clone, like how they clone handphones and DVDs and games and bridges and people...