An intriguing new Chinese surface fighter, first spotted in clear images last November, apparently took to the seas for the first time in early May.as navy news previously reportedthis Chinese experimental corvette debuted at the Liaonan Shipyard in China’s northern Liaoning province towards late 2023.
Images circulated on Chinese social media showed the ship returning to port offshore. The location is probably still at the Liaonan Shipyard, also known as Dalian Liaoning South. Liaonan is a small shipyard that was previously involved in building her Type 056 corvettes for the Chinese Navy (PLAN). The facility also provides a wide range of other maintenance services for a variety of naval vessels, including frigates, amphibious ships, and conventionally powered submarines.
The new Corvette has so far not received a publicly known name. Images from the start of the program suggest that the ship will function as a “comprehensive testing platform.” Such roles may include testing new weapons systems, sensors, and propulsion. Various images of the ship circulated on Chinese social media show a series of new or significantly modified subsystems. This includes a stealthy main gun, a compact her VLS, and a distinctively optimized variant of her HQ-10 short-range air defense missile system.
The latest images suggest that the VLS may contain 16 cells. The type of missile launch system remains unconfirmed. Existing Chinese combatants operate a variety of systems. This includes his HQ-16 SAM, which is equipped on the Type 054A, and his H/AKJ-16 launcher for anti-submarine weapons. and 054B-Frigate. Another common design is the “Universal Launch System” installed on her larger Type 052D and Type 055 destroyers, supporting a wide range of weapons, including supersonic anti-ship missiles.
The blackened sensor mast in the clearest image also shows the location of this type of exhaust. This observation rules out the possibility of channel exhaust. The exact propulsion system is still a matter of speculation. Small combatants are usually powered by diesel engines. However, some form of combination including a gas turbine or an electric drive is also conceivable. The visible wake in recent images suggests the possibility of waterjet propulsion instead of traditional screws.
Interestingly, the ship also appears to have been fitted with an inflatable radar reflector. Objects can be seen on the bow and its huge helicopter landing deck. The use of such devices is generally driven by operational safety and sensitivities regarding highly stealthy military designs.
So far, this type of hull has not appeared in Liaonan or elsewhere. One-offs strengthen its intent as an experimental platform. China has come out with a variety of interesting designs in recent years that are clearly experimental in nature.This activity includes: compact submarine design, droneand recently some sort of Experimental drone platform It resembles a small flat top carrier. These more bespoke prototypes complement smaller fleets. A more conventional test vessel In the Chinese service, he was engaged in testing various weapons and sensor systems.
One question regarding the more extravagant efforts is whether they have significant support from the People’s Liberation Army.At least some programs like spear water surface drone, appears to represent an industry-funded effort to advance design capabilities in emerging naval capabilities. The presence of military personnel at the launch of China’s experimental corvette may indicate that the design has stronger support from the People’s Liberation Army Navy. It remains to be seen how the adaptation of relevant technologies and eventual large-scale production operations will turn out.
