Satellite imagery of the day: Type 093 (Shang Class) nuclear-powered attack submarine with VLS

The Chinese refers this new sub with VLS as a Type 093B, the same class is also known as Type093G in the West.  Not matter what it's actual designation is, this "Subway foot-long" is sporting an extended haul for provisioning up to 12 CJ-10 cruise missiles.  The CJ-10 cruise missile has a range of greater than 1,500KM, it can be launched from DDG, land based trucks and H-6 as well.

Thanks Forbin for the photos and update.  Location for this pic 36° 6'28.81"N120°35'0.03"E

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Run loud, Run Shallow

Just a few days after unveiling the new Type 093B Shang Class SSN to the public (Our friend Jeffrey Lin has a good write-up on this new sub here), a Type 093A and her entourage just sail across the Strait of Malacca in broad daylight while singing "we are not hiding anymore" along the way. 

You go girl.

 SSN-409Shang class, FFG571Yun Cheng and ASR863 Yongxingdao  photographed while crossing the Strait of Malacca

Here are the first publicly released photos of Type 093B Shang Class SSN, her new toys included vertically launched cruise missiles for both sea and land targets (the module right behind the conning tower) and the bulging flank sonars (red circles below)

Launching CJ-10 from a truck.

Monday, December 07, 2009

CJ-10K/DH-10 Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) revealed.

Thus far, the PLA has converted all their Surface-to-Surface Missile families into air launched variants to be carried by its fighter-bomber/bomber fleet, ranging from the old C-201 to the newer YJ91. The CJ-10/DH-10 Ground Launched Cruise Missiles, displayed at the 60th National Day Parade, underwent similar conversions.

This is significant due to its extended range. The CJ-10K ALCM can have an operational range greater than 2000 miles if its performance is similar to the US BGM-109G Tomahawk ALCM. Such extended range would allow the old B-6 Bomber to launch the CJ-10k within its own air defense zone against most targets in Asia, granting China a new tool in its anti-access arsenal. As with the US B-52s, older subsonic bombers are unlikely to penetrate enemy air space without air dominance, but its heavy payload allows for safe deployment of these long-ranged ALCMs.

The CJ-10 family was developed by the Ministry of Aeronautics and Astronautics (MOAA), home to China’s main anti-ship missile research center. The B-6 bomber photographed here is the naval H-6M variant that was revealed during the 2002 China air show, subsequently entering service in 2005. The two known regiments of the H-6M are: the 1st Bomber Regiment, 1st PLAN-AF division at Danyang and the 4th Bomber Regiment, 4th PLAN-AF Division at Tuchengzi. Such a heavy naval focus suggests this project is part of the PLA Anti-Access strategy.

Notice the ECM pod next to the ALCM




A closer look at B-6M's newly redesigned hard-point.


CJ-10K/DH-10 displayed at the 60th National Day Parade