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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Wuhan Shipbuilding |
| Operators: |  People's Liberation Army Navy |
| Preceded by: | Type 039 (Song class) |
| Ships in class: | 2 |
| Ships active: | 1 (330) |
| Ships fitting out: | 1 (may be active) |
| General characteristics | |
| Propulsion and power: |
Diesel-electric |
| Speed: | 20+ kts |
| Armament: | 5 torpedo tubes |
The Type 041 submarine[1] (Nato code name Yuan class) is the newest class of diesel-electric submarine in the People's Liberation Army Navy (as of 2007). This class was first launched at Wuhan Shipyard and is the successor of the Type 039 Song class.
Contents |
Design
The Yuan class inherits the tail design of the Type 039 (NATO codename: Song class) with four diving planes and a single large shaft. The teardrop shaped hull and large sail suggest heavy Kilo influence. The teardrop shape also suggests a pressurized double hull design inherited from the Kilo. A pair of foreplanes are positioned in the middle of the sail. The submarine is covered with rubber anti-sonar protection tiles to reduce the risk of detection.
Weapons
The Yuan class has five 533 mm torpedo tubes. These can be used to launch indigenous as well as Russian-made torpedoes. The Yuan class is also believed to be capable of launching YJ-8X (C-80X) series anti-ship missiles. The missile uses inertial + terminal active radar guidance. It carries a 165 kg time-delayed semi-armour-piercing high-explosive warhead, with a maximum range of 80~120 km and speed of Mach 0.9. The Yuan class is also capable of firing the CY-1 ASW missile under water, but the status of the missile is in question because nothing is heard about its production. The CY-1 ASW missile has a maximum range of 18 km (10 nm), and when using A244 or Mark 46 torpedo as a payload. This class is designed to replace the aging Romeo and Ming Class SSKs that currently forms the backbone of the PLAN conventional submarine force. At least one ship have been commissioned as of 2005 by the PLAN.
Sensors
China was known to have imported the Thales TSM 2233 ELEDONE / DSUV-22 and Thales TSM 2255 / DUUX-5 from France during the 1980s and early 1990s. It also has access to a wide range of modern Russian sonar systems (MG-519 MOUSE ROAR, MGK-500 SHARK GILL) through its purchase of the Kilo Class. Comparable systems are expected to be installed for the Type 041. The Type 041 is likely to be fitted with a comparable surface/air search radar similar to the MRK-50 SNOOP TRAY, a commercial navigation radar like a Furuno unit observed on a number of SONG class and ESM system comparable to the Type 921-A.
External links
SinoDefence - Yuan
Global Security - Yuan
Jane's "New submarine picture presents Chinese puzzle
