Hongjian
Posts: 834
Joined: 1/2/2015 Status: offline
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The sonar systems onboard Chinese warships in general are quite a mystery. The Type 054A is quoted in the most english language and some chinese sources to actually have a MGK-335 Platina hull sonar (Just like the 052B/C as well), while other more obscure sources in Chinese say that it is a SJD-9. I dont know either whether the size of the sonar-dome is any indicative of the type of sonar, but comparing the Luhu-classes, that were proven to have SJD-9/DUBV-23, with the domes of the 054A and 052B/C/D, it seems like latter are somewhat larger and more "bubble-shaped" than former. Anyway, SJD-9s wouldnt be wrong, even though they are older and should be less capable than the imported MGK-335 Platina series that came with the Chinese Sovremenny purchase in 1999 and early 2000s. About the TASS and VDS, that right. The 054A++ and the new 056(A) "ASW-variant" both have TASS and VDS now. TASS, it should be still the SJD-206 (often compared with the AN/SQR-19), but VDS certainly is new now, and not the DE-1164/SJD-7 VDS. In 2013 the Ukrainians have revealed that they have sold the new Bronza-ME-Lugan VDS to China, which is described by them as a "fully digitalized and modernized" variant of the Bronza, with the following stats (google translate of official site): Range scale - 4,8,16,32 km Operating frequencies - 6.5-7.5 kHz Admission bearing determination - to 20 Admission determine distances - up to 1% Immersion depth towed antenna - up to 220 m Another good source I would like to share but cant, because I cannot post links is called "PLAN Acoustic Decoy and Towed Array Deployment Options" of Oct 2012 by Christopher Carlson, which is a good presentation of the new ASW upgrades of the new 054A++ and 052/B/C DDGs, also shared by the new 052D and the 056A (ASW-variant), which werent described in that presentation, as they still werent ready at that time. As one could see from that presentation, the new Chinese surface combattants all have a fairly comprehensive ASW suite, including VDS combined with TASS and even towed acoustic torpedo decoys, latter of which would help their survivability against USN/JMSDF submarines immensely. That's all I've gathered thus far. I will still dig deeper. I hope other members could help as well.
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