수상전투함 054AG급 구축함 건조가 포착됨

[위종민]

광저우의 황푸 조선소와 상하이의 후동 조선소에서 054A급의 개량형인 054AG급 호위함이 건조중인 것이 포착됐습니다. 황푸조선소에선 8월 초에 054AG 첫 번째 함정을 진수시켰고, 후동조선소에서는 최소 2척의 054AG를 건조중이라고 합니다. 

비행갑판이 더 길어져 신형 Z-20 대잠헬기를 수용 가능하고, 기존 H/PJ-26 76mm 주포 대신 H/PJ-87 신형 100mm 주포를 탑재했다고 합니다. 그 외 레이더 및 무장은 별 차이없이 유지되는 것 같습니다. 

054AG급 구축함의 건조계획은 알려지지 않았지만 054AG의 등장으로 인민해방군 해군이 운용하는 054A급 호위함이 50척 이상이 될 것이라고 하네요. 

신뢰도를 보장할 순 없지만 위키에서는 인민해방군 해군의 054A(지앙카이II급) 호위함을 35척 운용중이라고 하네요. 

Improved Type 054AG Frigate Launched, More Hulls Building (navalnews.com)

Improved Type 054AG Frigate Launched, More Hulls Building

 Home»News»China Launches Improved Type 054AG Frigate, More Hulls Coming

The first Type 054AG launched by Huangpu Shipyard. Image via Sinodefenceforum, originally Chinese social media.

China Launches Improved Type 054AG Frigate, More Hulls Coming

New Type 054A variant features larger flight deck and hangar for Z-20 helicopter, and new main gun. Ships under construction at two yards may grow Type 054A-fleet to 50 units or more.

Alex Luck  14 Aug 2024

Chinese builders Huangpu-Wenchong and Hudong-Zhonghua are both engaged in construction of an improved variant of the venerable Type 054A. The new frigate informally carries the designation Type 054AG (with G noting “improved” or “upgraded” in PLAN nomenclature). Now Huangpu Shipyard based in Guangzhou has launched the first Type 054AG, presumably around the beginning of August.

Hudong drydock on Changxing Island in a recent overflight image. Dock contains two Type 054AG frigates, one Type 054A coast guard variant and the Type 076 LHD. Image via Chinese social media.

Meanwhile Hudong in Shanghai continues construction of at least two more Type 054AG in a new large drydock on Changxing Island. The facility is notable for also assembling the new Type 076 amphibious assault carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult. In addition the same drydock concurrently with the two frigates and LHD is constructing one Type 054A-variant for the Chinese Coast Guard. In the most recent imagery of Hudong additional hull segments for further frigates have also appeared at the facility. Whether these are further Type 054AG or more coast guard hulls is yet to be established.

Larger flight deck, new main gun.

The first Type 054AG launched at Huangpu appeared in new imagery on social media over the past week. The photos allow further observations on its changed characteristics compared to the preceding Type 054A. The most notable aspect is the lengthened flight deck and expanded hangar space.

This modification resembles efforts also on the Type 052D multirole destroyer, resulting in the newer version referred to as 052DL. In both cases the change accommodates the new Z-20 ASW- and multirole naval helicopter. This S-70-derived medium helicopter is in the early stages of joining service with PLAN. Z-20 is also in production for the PLA Ground Force, Air Force and military police (PAP). The naval variants of Z-20 are the Z-20F anti-submarine version and the Z-20J naval utility helicopter. The type will effectively replace Z-9 series light utility- and ASW-helicopters in addition to Russian Ka-27/28 helicopters in PLAN-service.

Z-20F ASW helicopter in hover, with both Z-20F and J-variants visible in hangar. The new helicopter is a major driver for the Type 054AG re-design, similar to the larger Type 052DL destroyer. Image via Chinese social media.

In order to accommodate the larger hangar, Type 054AG moves the bays housing RHIBs on both sides of the superstructure forward right next to the funnel for the ship’s CODAD main propulsion.

A second major change is integration of what appears to be a new variant of the H/PJ-87 100 mm main gun on the bow. The new main gun replaces the H/PJ-26 76 mm gun on existing Type 054A. The change is a return of sorts to the configuration found on the first two Type 054-frigates, which also used an older configuration of the H/PJ-87, in addition to some older PLAN destroyers. This comeback of the 100 mm-gun on both Type 054AG and Type 054B suggests developers have resolved rumored performance issues on the design, with wider adaption now in effect.

The new 100 mm-main gun as seen on a Type 054B frigate. Use of this gun sets the improved Type 054AG apart from the preceding Type 054A frigate. Image via Chinese social media.

New design likely to maintain sensor and weapons fit

Type 054AG like preceding Type 054-evolutions continues to carry a Type 382 3D dual band air search radar or a variant of the type on the main mast, and a Type 366 X-band radar on the bridge. This setup contrasts with Type 054B carrying a new dual sided AESA as its primary sensor on the mast above the bridge. The surface search radar on the mast amidships is still missing on the most recent images. It may be the Type 364 C-band radar, or alternatively a new design, perhaps similar to the radar carried by the most recent 052DL-variant. Like the preceding construction batch of the Type 054A the AG-variant makes do without the mechanically steered Type 345 fire control radar, instead housing the emitters in fixed panels on the hangar edges and above the bridge.

In terms of armament the variant maintains the 32 cell VLS for HQ-16 SAM and Yu-8 ASW missiles. The ships continues to feature two H/PJ-12 30 mm CIWS. Similar to Type 054B, the new variant will likely mount two quadruple box launchers for YJ-83 antiship missiles amidships.

Both Hudong and Huangpu have previously launched one hull each of the newly designed Type 054B frigate. Beyond the initial pair more hulls have yet to appear at either yard. The construction of Type 054AG in larger numbers, featuring some of the traits and improvements seen on Type 054B may indicate the newer design will need further time before wider production. Meanwhile PLAN may desire proliferation of a proven design capable of fielding the modern and capable Z-20.

Huangpu Shipyard in a recent image. New Type 054B frigate fitting out to the left. A Type 054A variant for the Chinese Coast Guard to the right. Image via Chinese social media.

It is uncertain how many units PLAN intends to build to the improved Type 054AG frigate standard. Nor is it clear at present which legacy units these ships will replace. Present construction of the new variant however suggests overall Type 054A-numbers for PLAN are going to reach 50 hulls or more over the next few years.

List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy - Wikipedia

[강준구]

Z-20 시리즈는 와~ 소리가 날 정도로 H-60 시리즈를 그대로 따라하네요. 뭐.. 좋게 보면 실리적인 것이겠죠.

[위종민]

한국도 베낄 수만 있었다면 사골 다 끓인 슈퍼푸마 말고 이 녀석을 베꼈어야 ㅜㅜ

[강준구]

흑, UH-1Y + AH-1Z를 받고 국산화 하는 것도 괜찮겠다..라고 생각했지만, 뭐 주는 놈이 그럴 마음이 없었으니까요.
낡고 낡은 수퍼푸마와 도팡을 받아올 수 밖에.. 진짜는 이들 후속기를 국산화 할 수 있느냐 마느냐 아닐까 합니다. KF-21 처럼 형상이라도 만들어내면...

[위종민]

V-280처럼 틸트로터기를 시도할 지, 다른 기술적 시도를 할 지...

[강준구]

후속기 또한 독자 생산이 어려우니, 유로콥터에서 파는 설계안 사다가 국산화를 하지 않을까 싶습니다.
현재 미래가 없어 보이는 농협이 그 유력한 대상이 되지 않을까..합니다. 설계는 나쁘지 않았으니 그대로 사다가 한 국가에서 만들면 가격이 좀 잡히지 않을까요?

[마로]

차세대 중형헬기는 독자 모델 목표로 미국 FVL 사업 추종해서 틸트로터나 동축반전 푸쉬로터 형식 둘 중 어느쪽으로 갈지 고려하는 단계입니다.

[강준구]

네. 잡지에서 보았던 내용입니다만, 과연 현실적으로 가능할지는 잘 모르겠습니다. 결국 미국 사업을 추종한다면, 협력선이 미국 업체여야하는데, 미국은 기술 이전에는 워낙 인색하니까요