Comparing the the US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight IIA DDG & the PLAN Type

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Saw this on Sinodefence forum, it was an interest read.

Comparing the the US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight IIA DDG & the PLAN Type 052C DDG

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Comparing the the US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight IIA DDG & the PLAN Type 052C DDG


Over the last ten years, the People's Republic of China has been involved in one of the largest naval modernization and buildup programs since World War II. The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has literally made up over 25 years of technology deficit in these last 10-15 years and now, instead of lagging the western powers by 30+ years, it has narrowed that gap to perhaps five years in many areas, and to parity in other areas.

One of the most clear examples of this is in the PLAN's development of guided missile destroyers. They have gone through several quick iterations in this time, starting from their 1950s vintage technology Luda class destroyers and progressing through short runs of their Type 051 and initial Type 052 destroyers, coupled with a purchase of four, more modern Russian Sovremenny destoryers, to now serially producing their [/b]Type 052C, Lanzhou Class destroyer[/b], of which six have now been built. An advanced and upgraded version of this vessel, the Type 052D is now being produced with the first one already launched and outfitting. Serial production of these newer vessels is expected to continue with at least eight contemplated

In the mean time, the US Navy, After building 31 of its Spruance Class Destroyers in the 1970-1980s, began building its AEGIS class Burke Destroyers in the late 1980s, building 28 of these vessels. The US then developed an advanced and upgraded version of the vessel called the [/b]Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer[/b], of which now 33 have been built and at least five more will be built. After that, a run of what will be called the Arleigh Burke Flight III vessels is envisioned. Ten of those vessels are planned as a gap filler between the Arleigh Burke class overall, and the future class of US destroyers which design is still being developed.

The Type 052C and Arleigh Burke Flight IIA vessels are remarkably similar. Both have VLS missiles as their main armament. Both have the ability to launch surface strike missiles, both are outfitted with Phased Array Radar systems and integrated battle management systems. Both have a single, forward main gun. Both have two close in weapons systems (CIWS), and both have an aft helo deck accomodating ASW helicopters.

This being the case, and the fact that [/b]I build 1/350 scale modern war vessels for Carrier Strike Groups[/b], including the carriers and their escorts...which these two vessels figure heavily into for their respective navies, I thought it appropriate to compare the two vessels in 1/350 scale.

Below are several pictures comparing the two vessels overall and their various systems. They are from my build of [/b]Trumpeter's 1/350 Scale PLAN Haikou, DDG-171 Type 052C[/b], and from [/b]Trumpeter's 1/350 scale USS Lassen, DDG-82 Arleigh Burke Flight IIA[/b].



Overall Comparison of the Destroyers


As stated in general terms, the vessels are very similar in the types of systems they carry and in the location of these systems on the overall laypout of the vessel. The Burke is a larger vessel. Here are the specs comparing the two:

PLAN TYPE 52C Destroyer

Length: 505 ft (154m)
Beam: 56 ft (17m)
Draft: 20 ft (6m)
Displace (Full Load): 7,500 tons

US Arliegh Burke Flight IIA Destroyer

Length: 513 ft (155m)
Beam: 66 ft (20m)
Draft: 31 ft (9m)
Displace (Full Load): 9,200 tons



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Forward VLS Launcher


The Type 052C employs a VLS system that is a "cold launch" system. This means that the missile is ejected from its launch silo by compressed gas, and then the missile motor ignites to lift the vessel into the air and on its way. The missile fired is the HQ-9 missile with a maximum range of 125 miles (200 km) and a service ceiling of over 90,000 ft. The forward launcher of the Type 052C contains 36 missiles in six round compartments carrying six missiles each. 

The US vessel, on the other hand, uses a "hot launch" system where the missiles engine ignites in the launch silo and lifts directly from there, the hot gases from the missile exhaust being diverted out of the silo through specially designed vents. The system is designated as the Mk-41 VLS System. The US launchers can carry multiple missile types including the Standard Anti-air missile (SM2-ER Block IV), the Tomahawk cruise missile, the SUBROC anti-submarine missile, and the Evolved Sea Saprrow (ESSM) in a 4-pak container for each VLS cell. The US system is significantly smaller in terms of its footprint and carriers 32 missiles in it's forward 4x8 grid. The Standard Missiles range up to 120 miles for cruise missile engagement, or, up to 310 miles (500 km) for ballistic missile engagement. The Tomahawk missile shave ranges in excess of 1,500 miles, and newer Block IV Tomoahawks can attack surface ships as well. The Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is a medium ranged misisles with engagement capabilities up to 30 miles (50 km). In addition to the US, Australia. Canada, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Japan, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates are using the ESSM.



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Forward Close in Weapon System (CIWS)


The Type 052C employs a Type 730 CIWS, meaning it is a 7 barrelled, 30 millimeter gatling type gun. It is similar in appearance to the Dutch Goalkeepr CIWS used by Euopean powers, particularly the UK on its vessels, though the 30mm gun itself is almost exactly like the General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger. It has an effective firing rate of 4,200 rounds per minute (5,800 rpm max) with an effective range of 1.8 miles (3 km) and weighs in at over 17,000 lbs. It is a standalone system. 

The US System is the Phalanyx System, which is a six barrel, 20 millimeter gatling type gun system. The US Phalanyx System has been employed for over 25 years and has undergone numerous upgrades and continuous testing to upgrade its radars, sensors, and firing mechanisms to be tested successfully against the latest missile and aircraft threats. The US effective fire rate is 4,500 rounds per minute with an effective range of 2.2 miles (3.5 km). It weighs in at 13,000 lbs and is a standalone system. Phalanyx is used by the US Navy, the US Coast Guard, the US Army (ground mounted version), and the navies of 16 allied nations.



http://www.jeffhead.com/PLAN-USA-DDGCompare/DDG-Compare-006.jpg[/img] 
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Forward Main Gun


The Type 052C employs a singel 100 mm dual Purpose (DP) main gun forward, which can fire at a rate up to 40 rounds per minute, out to an effective range (for surface targets) of 13.5 miles (22 km) and against aircraft at 6.2 miles (10 km). The new Type 052D will mount a 130mm DP gun with a little slower rate of fire and but longer range. 

The US Arleigh Burke Flight IIA vessels mount a single 127mm, 62 caliber main gun forward, which can fire up to 20 round per minute out to an effective range of 15 miles (24 km) against surface and air targets. The new Flight III Burkes may use the Advanced Gun System (AGS) now mounted on the US Zumwalt class destroyer. This is a 155 mm gun that can fire extended range, precision guided munitions out to 80 miles at a rate of 10 rounds per minute.



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Phased Array Radar (PARS) and Battle Management


The Type 052C has four PAR panels mounted around the main deck house, forward on the vessel. The system ir reportedly designated the Type 348 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system and operates in the S-band with a maximum range of 280 miles (450 km) and a resultion of .5 meters. The battle management system employed is unknown and the number of simultaneous targets it can track and engage is also currently unknown. The system reportedly conforms to the MIL-STD-1553B standard. 

The US System employed is the AEGIS System. The PAR Radar is the the AN/SPY-1D Radar System operating in the S-band and which can track well over 100 targets simultaneously out to over 150 miles. Japan, Korea, Spain, Norway and Australia all use the AEGIS system on their principle anti-air warfare, multim-mission surface combatants. A significant capability ot the AEGIS system is its Cooperative Engaement (CE) capability which allows it to use and control systems of other CE equiped vessels, aircraft, or other equipment thus vastly extending its range capability to that of the furthest deployed asset, be it a vessel, a base, an aircraft, or even satellites.



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Aft VLS and CIWS Systems


Both vessels employ the same systems on the after portion of the vessel as they do forward. For the Type 052C PLAN destroyer this consists of another Type 730 CIWS and 12 more VLS tubes in two, sex cell round containers. For the US Arleigh Burke FLight IIA vessel, this consists of another Phalanyx 2omm CIWS and an 8x8 MK-41 VLS launcher with 64 missiles. 

Thus the PLAN Type 052C destroyer carriers 48 total HQ-9 AAW missiles, while the US Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer carries a total of 96 missiles which can vary between the various anti-missile (AAW), Tomohawk (ASM and ASuM), SUBROC (ASW), and ESSM missiles.



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Helicopter Pad and Hanger


The Type 052C carries a single ASW helicopter (usually a KA-28 ASW helo, or a Z-9C ASW helo) for antisubmarine warfare...or for recon and surveillance and targeting purposes for anti-surface (shipping) warfare. 

The US Navy Arleigh Burke Flight IIA has two hangers and can carry two SH-60 ASW helicopters for anti-submarine warfare or also for recon, surveillance, and targeting misisons.



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Conclusion/Summary


The People's Republic of Chna and the United States both employ powerful multi-mission, anti-air warfare destroyers with their navies. The Type 052C is a smaller vessel with less missiles and a smaller hanger. Generally its systems (CIWS, VLS, etc) are somewhat larger and probably indicate the continued progress necessary by the PRC and PLAN in areas of electronic micronization. But the systems are very strong and represent an absolutely phenominal increase in terms of capability and lethatlit over what the PLAN put to sea just a few short years ago. Her ASW warfare is good with her single ASW helo and she has adequate self-defense sonars employed on the vessel itself. The follow-on Type 052D vessel will make advances in some of the areas mentioned here, particularly with the new 130mm main gun, and most particularly with a new VLS system which will see the new vessel carry 64 missiles with a potential variety of missile choices for the VLS cells. This will be a critical step forward for the PLAN.

The US Arleigh Burke Flight IIA Class destroyer is recognized as the standard and leader in the field. She carriers 96 missiles of many different types which can be suited for the mission while continuing to provide complete AAW coverage. She carries two ASW helos, and a very strong, offensive sonar capability mounted forward on her hull. Her main gun is extremely capable in terms of range and accuracy. Her CIWS and medium range AAW capanbility means she has world-class defense capabilities for the fleet and for herself from Ballistic Missile range down to point defense and all areas in between. The follow on Arleigh Burke Flight III will see improved AEGIS functionality with multi-mode AESA capanbility, newer and better missiles on the cutting edge of technology, an imporved gun system (potentially the Advanced Gun System (AGS) employed on the Zumwalt Class DDG), and the capability to later incorporate the direct energy weapons and system now being developed and tested by the US Navy.
 

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