{"id":285,"date":"2024-11-07T18:21:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-07T18:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/?p=285"},"modified":"2024-11-11T17:51:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-11T17:51:51","slug":"chinese-experimental-new-drone-carrier-and-combat-usv-emerge-in-detailed-new-imagery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/?p=285","title":{"rendered":"Chinese Experimental New drone carrier and combat USV Emerge In Detailed New Imagery"},"content":{"rendered":"

New imagery shared on social media has provided significant new details on characteristics of two new naval vessels at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) at Longxue Island, Guangzhou. The Chinese designs are distinct concepts notionally serving as an experimental carrier for VTOL-drones or helicopters, and as an uncrewed or optionally crewed surface vessel (USV). Defense analyst and former submariner Tom Shugart\u00a0first shared relevant satellite imagery<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0of both vessels on \u201cX\u201d (formerly Twitter) in late October.<\/p>\n

CSSC Experimental Aviation Platform<\/h2>\n

The first of the two new designs is what previous reporting referred to as helicopter carrier or amphibious carrier. Several key characteristics are unconfirmed pending better imagery. However, based on the new photos, the design appears to be an experimental platform serving research and development and testing of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.<\/p>\n

Notably, the design appears to remain operational under the control of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), not the Chinese Navy. This notion is supported by the CSSC-logo prominently appearing on the deck superstructure housing the exhaust funnel and vents for what is likely a diesel propulsion plant towards the stern of the flight deck.<\/p>\n

The new vessel features a three part-island superstructure. The arrangement includes a navigation bridge forward, a second larger island containing the aviation control tower and primary sensor mast, and the aforementioned third structure housing propulsion. The layout of the flight control tower overall matches the design of similar features on existing PLAN amphibious assault carriers\u00a0like the Type 075<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Carrier Design To Support VTOL-Drones Or Helicopters<\/h2>\n

The flight deck features markings for VTOL-operation. While the general assumption is that the ship primarily serves as a UAV-platform, size and layout reasonably also support crewed helicopter operations. Imagery so far does not clarify whether the ship features a hangar or well-dock. If no dock is present, the sizeable hull could accommodate a mission bay with stern launch facilities for surface drones or small boats.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture>
Measurements of the notional drone carrier by user \u201c@MT_Anderson\u201d on \u201cX\u201d, using Airbus Pleiades Neo-sourced imagery. Screenshot used with permission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overall measurements of the ship\u00a0shared via social media<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0result in a length of approximately 200 metres. The beam measures slightly under 40 metres. Draft remains undetermined. Freeboard is notably lower than on established carriers including other Chinese designs like Type 075 or\u00a0the new Type 076 currently under construction<\/strong>\u00a0in Shanghai. Low freeboard has implications for seakeeping and may imply operations in primarily littoral waters. Nevertheless the new images confirm a rather substantial hull. Displacement may range anywhere between 12,000 and 18,000 tons depending on its overall load capacity.<\/p>\n

Chinese Experimental Combat USV<\/h2>\n

The second vessel which appeared at GSI, Longxue Island first in satellite imagery shared on \u201cX\u201d (previously Twitter) is an uncrewed or optionally crewed combat vessel. CSSC in expo displays has labelled the design first as \u201c300 ton multi-purpose unmanned combat surface vehicle\u201d. In subsequent displays the company re-designated the drone as the \u201cJari-USV-A Multipurpose USV\u201d. Huangpu Shipyard, also owned by CSSC and based in Guangzhou, similar to GSI, appears to be the builder.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/picture>
New experimental combat USV seen at GSI, Guangzhou. Image via Chinese social media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new imagery confirms a substantial vessel in trimaran configuration. The ship is armed with at least four vertical launch cells, equipped with multiple sensor panels likely for an electronically scanned array and additional sensors, and a sizeable aviation pad at the rear supporting a VTOL UAV. An organic UAV capability could support the USV particularly in over the horizon (OTH) -targeting for maritime and land attack-roles.<\/p>\n

If previously shown models of a slightly different configuration are indicative, the design may contain further weapons in recessed bays, including an autocannon on the bow, and torpedo launchers at the sides. Forward of the four missile cells is a notable square area which may incorporate further missile cells.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a><\/figure>
The new USV seen at GSI in cropped imagery shared on Chinese social media. Third image shows construction launch of effort in 2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Larger, More Capable Drone Following Jari USV<\/h2>\n

Propulsion is likely a pair of waterjets. The previously known \u201cJari\u201d-USV\u00a0also produced by CSSC<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0back in 2019 uses a similar configuration. The USV\u00a0measures approximately 60 metres in length<\/a><\/strong>, with a beam of 23.5 metres. Based on the original description of the effort by CSSC displacement is at least 300 tons, but likely higher. These specifications compare with a length of 15 metres and displacement of about 20 tons for the Jari catamaran USV. Jari in contrast to the newer effort includes provisions for dual torpedo tubes and a smaller vertical missile launch space on the forward superstructure. Sensors include a less elaborate electronically scanned array radar. A small calibre autocannon or heavy machine gun sits in a remote-controlled mount on the bow.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a>
The original Jari USV seen in 2019. Image via Chinese social media.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a>
The Jari USV on the left and the larger Jari USV-A on the right., in 2023. Image via Sinodefenceforum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/picture><\/a>
An older display showing the same large USV design under a different designation. Note Jari USV back left. Image via Sinodefenceforum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

The Jari USV\u00a0has undergone testing with the builder<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0since its appearance. So far PLAN does not appear to have shown interest in adapting the design for wider use. CSSC has promoted both designs at various defence trade shows. The move may suggest the company pitches the designs at international customers as well.<\/p>\n

For now both the new Chinese carrier design and the USV will likely serve experimental and demonstration purposes by builder CSSC. Plausibly such use will primarily advertise the builder\u2019s know-how to the Chinese Navy, certainly for the aviation platform. Whether the USV, similarly to Jari, will attract interest by PLAN or notional export customers remains to be seen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New imagery shared on social media has provided significant new details on characteristics of two new naval vessels at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) at Longxue Island, Guangzhou. The Chinese designs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":286,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,30],"tags":[31,32],"class_list":["post-285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-military-tech","category-naval","tag-china","tag-drone-carrier"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DRONE-CARRIER-CHINA.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=285"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":287,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285\/revisions\/287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thedefencenews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}