Changying-class destroyer
_-_P15B_destroyer_of_Indian_Navy_during_sea_trials.jpg) SKC Changying, the lead ship of the class
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Changying-class |
| Builders: | Kuohai Shipbuilding Corporation |
| Operators: |
 Rakhmani Navy |
| Cost: | ¥7.8 billion per ship |
| Planned: | 10 |
| Completed: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Guided missile destroyer |
| Displacement: | 7,400 t (7,300 long tons) |
| Length: | 163 m (534 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: | 17.4 m (57 ft 1 in) |
| Draft: | 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | In excess of 33.5 knots (62.0 km/h; 38.6 mph) |
| Range: | 8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Endurance: | 45 days |
| Boats & landing craft carried: | 4 × RHIB |
| Crew: | 300 (50 officers + 250 sailors) |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aviation facilities: | Enclosed helicopter hangar and flight deck capable of accommodating two multi-role helicopters. |
The Changying-class destroyer is a class of guided-missile destroyers built for the Monsilvan and Rakhmani navies. The Changying class is an upgraded derivative of its predecessor with improved features of stealth, automation and ordnance.
Designed by the Kuohai Shipbuilding Corporation, a total of 10 ships are planned to be built, with six currently active. The first vessel of the class, SKC Changying was commissioned on 21 November 2019. The Monsilvan Navy plans to have all ten destroyers in active service by 2027.
Contents
Design
Development
The destroyers were designed by the Kuohai Shipbuilding Corporation, a large maritime company responsible for designing many of the navy's warships. The destroyer was designed under the codename Project 15B. The project was initiated to develop a class of destroyers that are more advanced than its predecessor, but with only several, yet incremental alterations. This was done to minimize its development costs and time.
The design plans of the four vessels were completed by the KSC in mid-2013.
Comparison to its predecessor
Some of the known changes are as follows:
- Different bridge layouts; the P-15B's bridge was designed to minimize the vessel's radar cross-section (RCS) and enhance resilience.
- The P-15B features a "rail-less" helicopter traversing system meant for securing the vessel's helicopter, in the event of adverse weather conditions.
- The P-15B features a network-centric layout, equipped with a Ship Data Network (SDN), an Automatic Power Management System (APMS), as well as a Combat Management System (CMS).
Features
- The destroyers are equipped with a "Total Atmosphere Control System" (TAC), which allows them to operate in regions of nuclear fallout. Additionally, the destroyers are also equipped with nuclear, biological and chemical warfare (NBC) protective equipment, with its entire requirement of air being filtered through NBC filters.
- The destroyers feature multiple fire zones, battle damage control systems and distributional power systems for improved survivability and reliability in emergent conditions.
- The destroyers feature ergonomically designed accommodations based on modular concepts, which ensures a significant amount of crew comfort.
Instrumentation
Armament
- Anti-surface warfare
For its anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, the class features sixteen anti-ship cruise missiles, capable of speeds of up to Mach 3. The missiles are widely regarded as one of the most formidable anti-ship missiles currently in service, given the missile's extreme versatility and maneuverability.
- Anti-air warfare
As part of its anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities, the class features thirty-two surface-to-air missiles, with sixteen missiles present in four "2 x 4" VLS configurations - with two placed at the bow and two placed aft.
The LR-SAM, is an "extended-range" variant and is designed to neutralize various aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV); the new variant is expected to feature a range of about 150 km (93 mi).
For point defense, the vessels are equipped with four AK-630M close-in weapon systems (CIWS), with two systems on either side of the superstructure.
- Anti-submarine warfare
For its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, the class features two twin torpedo launchers, designed to launch heavyweight torpedoes. The class also features two anti-submarine rocket launchers, capable of firing ASW projectiles to depths of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
- Aviation facilities
As part of its aviation facilities, the class is equipped with a flight deck and an enclosed aviation hangar, capable of two medium-sized helicopters. Additionally, the ships are equipped with a "rail-less" helicopter traversing system, meant for securing the helicopter in case of adverse weather conditions at sea.
- Decoys
As for the class' defensive abilities, each destroyer is equipped with two anti-missile decoy systems for neutralizing incoming aerial threats at short ranges.
Sensors
- Radar
The class features the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR S-band active electronically scanned array radar, as its primary radar suite. The EL/M-2248 is a multi-function, phased-array radar system featuring an azimuth of 360o, with the capability to track both aerial and surface targets - at a range of over 450 km (280 mi).
The class further features a secondary radar suite. It is a solid-state, two-dimensional, long-range D-band surveillance radar, meant for providing target acquisition against aerial and surface threats. It is capable of operating in a cluttered electronic environment, equipped with an instrumental range of 270 km (170 mi), with the capability to track both cruise missiles and fighter aircraft.
- Sonar
The class is equipped with a hull-mounted "active cum passive" integrated sonar system. It is capable of detecting, classifying and tracking sub-surface targets in both active and passive modes, with the capability to simultaneously track up to eight targets. The destroyers are also equipped with a active towed array sonar.
- Electronic warfare
For electronic warfare (EW), the destroyers are equipped with a suite designed to provide warships an electronic layer of defense against modern radars and anti-ship missiles. It is equipped with wideband electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic countermeasures (ECM), meant for intercepting, classifying and jamming both conventional and modern radars. Additionally, the suite is also equipped with an in-build radar fingerprinting and data recording replay feature for post-mission analysis and evaluation.
