Type 055 destroyer (Renhai-class cruiser)

Posted by: Andrei Dcs

The Type 055 destroyer is a class of guided missile destroyers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force.

The Type 055 destroyer is the newest, largest and most advanced class of Chinese destroyers.

Designated by NATO as the Renhai-class, the new Chinese destroyer is classified by the Western military block as a guided missile cruiser.

A total of 16 Type 055 destroyers are planned to be built for the PLA Navy Surface Force.

The construction of the new Chinese destroyers started in 2014 and three Type 055 units are already completed and in service with the Chinese Navy starting with 2020.

All the 16 Type 055 destroyers will be built by Changxingdao-Jiangnan Shipyard and by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company.

Type 055 was preceded by the Type 052D destroyer.

Cost of the Type 055 destroyers/cruiser

The Type 055 destroyer has a price per unit of CN¥6 billion (US$888 million) including R&D.

Displacement and dimensions of the Type 055 destroyer

Type 055 is the largest surface combatant of the Chinese Navy.

The PLA Navy classifies its new warships as destroyers, but due to its large size, NATO classifies the new Chinese class of warships as cruisers.

The new Chinese Type 055 destroyer is heavier and larger than the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

Type 055 destroyer has a full load displacement ranging from 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes.

A Type 055 destroyer has a length of 180 m (590 ft 7 in), a beam of 20 m (65 ft 7 in) and a draught of 6.6 m (21 ft 8 in).

Propulsion of the Chinese Type 055 destroyers/cruisers

The Type 055 destroyer uses a COGAG-type propulsion system.

The Type 055 is powered by four QC-280 gas turbines, each generating 28 MW (38,000 hp).

The total power of the four gas turbines is 112 MW (150,000 shp).

Additionally, Type 055 also has six QD-50 turbine generators, each generating 5 MW (6,700 hp).

The total installed power of the six turbine generators is 30 MW (40,000 shp).

Speed and range of the Type 055 destroyers/cruisers

Type 055 destroyer has a maximum speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and a maximum operational range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km).

Complement of the Type 055 destroyers

Type 055 destroyer, the largest surface combatant of the Chinese Navy has a complement of over 300 members.

Sensors and processing systems installed on the Type 055 destroyers

As the newest and most capable of Chinese warships, the Type 055 destroyers are fitted with the newest and most advandced Chinese sensors and processing systems.

The main radar aboard the Type 055 is the Type 346B Dragon Eye (C/S-band) radar.

Additionally, Type 055 also has an X-band radar.

Electronic warfare and decoys installed on the Type 055 destroyers

Type 055 also has the latest and most advanced electronic warfare systems developed by China.

Armament of the Type 055 destroyer/cruisers

Similar in size and role with the American Tigonderoga cruiser, Type 055 is a large warship designed to undertake expeditionary missions and to escort the Chinese aircraft carriers.

The armament and sensors installed onboard, suggests that Type 055 has a primary aerial warfare role with serious anti-submarine capabilities.

The main gun installed on the Type 055 destroyer is the 130 mm H/PJ-38 naval gun.

Besides the naval gun, Type 055 is also fitted with one H/PJ-11 CIWS.

For short-range air defence, the Type 055 has a 24-cell launcher for HQ-10 short range surface-to-air missiles.

The main role of the Type 055 destroyer will be area air defence.

A Type 055 destroyer has two vertical launch systems, one with 64 cells and the second with 48 cells.

Thus, Type 055 has a total of 112 cells for launching HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, CJ-10 land-attack cruise missiles and missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes.

Besides the main aerial warfare role, Type 055 has important anti-submarine capabilities.

Besides the VLS missile-launched anti-submarine torpedoes, each Type 055 unit is fitted with two sets of 324 mm torpedo tubes for Yu-7 torpedoes.

Aviation facilities and aircraft carried aboard the Type 055

The new Type 055 destroyer has a stern hangar and a elicopter landing platform.

Two Harbin Z-9 and/or Changhe Z-18 medium-lift helicopters can be operated aboard the Type 055 destroyer.