PRC Peoples Liberation Army Navy

[John Fedup]

Yes, not see more development on that rail gun development from Chinese Weibo or from Deino's X. However few months back found some talk in Chinese forums that the rail guns development still on going.

Still personally it's still bit early to discount rail gun. Japan already test their own version last year.

Japan Performs First Ever Railgun Test From Ship at Sea - Naval News

Japan's ATLA announced it has conducted the first ever railgun test firing from a ship, with the cooperation of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

www.navalnews.com

DEW seems so far being focus as part of anti missiles and anti drones defense. With advancement of hypersonic missile, more likely DEW can be the choices being taken as defense weapons for that. While rail gun more as missiles alternative (at least that's what I read from the prototypes program). So I guess the nature of target environment bit different between rail gun and DEW. So far PLAN seems going toward both of them, while on other side US on DEW but Japan seems keen on Rail Gun path. Perhaps both of them complement each other.

My understanding is the RG’s considerable velocity, hence KE depending on projectile mass, makes it a reasonable concept for high speed missile interception. The obstacle is rate of fire, energy requirements and rail durability seem to be the limiting criteria.

 

[Redshift]

Chinese Navy Testing Laser Turret On Type 071 LPD

The Chinese Navy is testing what appears to be a laser turret on a Type 071 amphibious dock. The step is a notable first for PLAN.

www.navalnews.com

PLAN shown their prototype of Direct Energy Weapons on one their Type 71 Prototype. Shown they are catching up on the weapons program with US. Their Electromagnetic Rail Gun also being use one of their amphibious assets as testing platform.

The article is very speculative about what this looky likey laser device actually is and no information has been released by China on what it is. So as proof that China is catching up with anyone seems like a leap of faith

Didn't the USA massively back peddle on the whole railgun concept?

 

[John Fedup]

The article is very speculative about what this looky likey laser device actually is and no information has been released by China on what it is. So as proof that China is catching up with anyone seems like a leap of faith

Didn't the USA massively back peddle on the whole railgun concept?

There was an article a ways back that suggested the USN railgun project was somewhere between on the back burner and cancelled.

 

[Ananda]

So as proof that China is catching up with anyone seems like a leap of faith

They are catching up in weapons program. If you can't seems to accept Chinese abilities to catching up in tech. The article also stayed no official confirmation yet, but that's not something unusual with Chinese program. They are just do thing, and let everyone else try to guess what they are doing. However saying they are not catching up, also bit underestimate.

 

[John Fedup]

China has four times the population of the US and instead of lawyers and accountants, their educators prioritize scientists and engineers instead of the former. It also helps to have the best espionage service (cyber and human) to obtain technology at a reduced cost albeit China has lots of cash and no whining population objecting to excessive military spending. The US, EU, and Japan/SKorea really need to counter this or China will move ahead before their demographics problems become an issue.

 

[Redshift]

They are catching up in weapons program. If you can't seems to accept Chinese abilities to catching up in tech. The article also stayed no official confirmation yet, but that's not something unusual with Chinese program. They are just do thing, and let everyone else try to guess what they are doing. However saying they are not catching up, also bit underestimate.

I didn't say anything of the sort, and neither you nor I know the true tech state in either the USA or China, I just suggested that this particular siting wasn't exactly proof of catching up , because it's not.

The USA abandoned there railgun program for good reasons I imagine, which would suggest, to me, that they no longer consider it to be the (immediate) future.

 

[John Fedup]

I didn't say anything of the sort, and neither you nor I know the true tech state in either the USA or China, I just suggested that this particular siting wasn't exactly proof of catching up , because it's not.

The USA abandoned there railgun program for good reasons I imagine, which would suggest, to me, that they no longer consider it to be the (immediate) future.

Well I guess a good reason was it didn’t deliver the desired capability required. Can China do better, don’t know. As per my previous posts, power requirements are likely part of the problem but I believe durability is even a bigger issue….but speculation on my part.

 

[Ananda]

I just suggested that this particular siting wasn't exactly proof of catching up , because it's not.

There's different between catching up in tech and catching up in weapons program. They are catching up in weapons program but not necessary yet proven in similar DEW tech. The context is different.

 

[DDG38]

Interesting method to conduct sea trials for a submarine /s

China’s newest nuclear submarine sank in dock, US officials confirm

 

[downunderblue]

Interesting method to conduct sea trials for a submarine /s

China’s newest nuclear submarine sank in dock, US officials confirm

Was about to post the same. $hit happens sometimes and it's 2000% better sinking at the dock than in deep water ... FYI, below is the un-paywalled WSJ article.

MSN

 

[DDG38]

Was about to post the same. $hit happens sometimes and it's 2000% better sinking at the dock than in deep water ... FYI, below is the un-paywalled WSJ article.

MSN

Yeah, not sure "shit happens" is the best response though to your first of class nuclear submarine sinking while alongside. At a basic capability indication level, this should give pause to those who think the PLAN by nature of quickly outbuilding other navies makes it #1.

 

[KrustyKoala]

Interesting method to conduct sea trials for a submarine /s

China’s newest nuclear submarine sank in dock, US officials confirm

What happend did the front fall off?

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Yeah, not sure "shit happens" is the best response though to your first of class nuclear submarine sinking while alongside. At a basic capability indication level, this should give pause to those who think the PLAN by nature of quickly outbuilding other navies makes it #1.

I quite agree. Can you imagine if HMS Astute had sunk after being launched, or the USS Virginia? The respective navies would have been very concerned.

I think it goes to show that whilst the PLAN might be quick at launching vessels, their quality might be suspect. Not least with the reported corruption within the CCP and military. Also the complete silence from the CCP on this indicates this wasn't a trivial problem.

 

[John Fedup]

Likely someone is in trouble for the sinking. The WSJ mentions the possibility of corruption as a possible reason, a decent assumption given some of the sudden sackings of senior officials. First water filled missile silos, now water filled subs.

 

[John Fedup]

Interesting speculation from the WarZone site suggesting the recently sunk Type 041 was some kind of hybrid, conventional and nuclear power. A small nuclear reactor for additional battery charging and AIP does seem to be an decent idea, assuming cost isn’t offside and the power generation is sufficient.

Chinese Submarine That Sunk Had Exotic Hybrid Nuclear Powerplant: Report

New details are coming to light about China’s Type 041 Zhou class submarine and its experimental propulsion system. New details are coming to light about China’s Type 041 Zhou class submarine and its experimental propulsion system.

www.twz.com

 

[Ananda]

This already circulate for couple of days on social media, and originate from Chinese Weibo. Now seems also being picked up by Naval News. This type 09IIIB SSN seems China answer for keeping up with US and Russian latest SSN.

Chinese Type 09IIIB nuclear powered submarine surfaces in image

The newest Chinese nuclear powered attack submarine, dubbed Type 09IIIB, has appeared in the best quality image yet shared on social media.

www.navalnews.com

No official yet on overall specs, and I don't think Chinese official sites will tell much. However as Naval News article put, base on previous studies, it is expected this SSN will be equip with VLS for cruise missiles. Something that already equip US and Russian latest SSN.

 

[John Fedup]

This CNN article speculates on a land site for a new naval nuclear reactor for large ships. Hardly a surprise that PLAN wants a CVN(s) eventually. Guessing a Chinese CVN by the end of this decade.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/11/china/china-prototype-nuclear-reactor-aircraft-carrier-intl-hnk?cid=ios_app

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Weird to present this on an airshow instead of a defence event, but here we can have a closer up look at this advanced vessel.

Similar in size and shape with the Indonesian X63/X3K/Klewang Class trimarans made by North Sea Boats.
If the Jokowi-administration spent more money during the construction of the KRI Golok 688, then at least it would be more advanced than the current end result.