The Type 052C (NATO codename: Luyang-II Class) guided-missile destroyers are in service with the The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The two ships were built at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. The Type 052C class is preceded by Type 052B (Luyang Class) multi-role destroyer and succeeded by Type 052D destroyer.
The keel for the first vessel in the class, Lanzhou (DDG 170), was laid down at the end of 2002 and the ship was launched in April 2003. The destroyer was commissioned in July following the completion of sea trials in late 2003. The second vessel, Haikou (DDG 171), was launched in October 2003 and commissioned in 2005. The South Sea Fleet based at Zhanjiang operates both the vessels.
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Type 052C design
The hull design is based on the Type 052B destroyer. The design of the ship incorporates Russian and Chinese indigenous systems. The height of the bridge was increased to accommodate four fixed phased array radar antennas.
The destroyer has a length of 153m, a beam of 16.5m and a draft of 6m. Full load displacement of the vessel is 6,600t. The ship can accommodate 250 crew members.
Command and control system
The command and control system integrates the multi-function phased array radar system, command and decision system (CDS), battlefield display system and weapon control system (WCS).
The CDS receives information from ship sensors and performs command, control and threat assessment. It delivers engagement instructions to the WCS for the selection of weapons.
The modern combat system defends against anti-ship missiles and also provides air defence, surface warfare (SUW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities to the vessel.
The vessel can transfer combat data to other surface fleet units and aircraft through a data link and satellite communications.
Luyang Class-II missiles
The Type 052C destroyer is armed with eight 6-cell vertical launch systems (VLS) firing indigenous HQ-9 air-defence missiles.
The missile system uses a cold launch method to avoid flame and gas exhaust pipes on the hot launch VLS. It also reduces the damage caused to the vessel due to the blast. A cylinder shaped container holds a total of 48 missiles.
There are two 4-cell launchers installed for indigenously produced YJ-62 (C-602) anti-ship cruise missiles.
The Band Stand radar and a Light Bulb data link guide the missiles. The missiles have a maximum range of 280km.
Naval guns
The main gun is a single-barrel, 100mm gun from 713 Institute. The fully automatic gun can engage surface and aerial targets such as aircraft and low speed missile. It has a maximum rate of fire of 90 rounds per minute.
Short range defence is provided by two Type 730 close-in weapon systems (CIWS). This weapon system can fire at a rate of 4,600-5,800 rounds a minute up to a range of 3km.
Aircraft
The destroyer has a stern helicopter deck and hangar to accommodate a Kamov Ka-28 ASW helicopter. The helicopter carries torpedoes and depth charges, and can be operated in all weather conditions. The destroyer is also capable of supporting the operations of a Z-9C helicopter replacing the Ka-28.
Countermeasures
The Type 052C destroyer is equipped with a newly developed electronic countermeasures (ECM) system. The system uses phased array jammers to provide active / passive jamming capabilities to the vessel.
Sensors / radars
The vessel is fitted with a Type 517H-1 long-range 2D air search radar, a Band Stand fire-control radar for the anti-ship missiles and main gun and two Type 327G fire control radars for the CIWS.
There is a four-array multi-function phased array radar installed on the vessel.
The destroyer is also fitted with a hull-mounted SJD-8/9 active / passive search and attack sonar.
Propulsion
The Type 052C destroyer is equipped with a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system. The propulsion plant consists of two 24MW DA80 / DN80 gas turbines and two 5MW Shaanxi diesel engines. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt.
