CNS Wuxi (104)

Guided-Missile Destroyer Warship

China | 2022

"CNS Wuxi 104 represents one of the most powerful surface vessels available to the PLAN of China."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/27/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Video image capture of CNS Wuxi 104 at sea conducting its final trials.

Destroyers represent the major component of the modern Chinese surface fleet and within this category resides the most potent form of guided-missile destroyer available to the service in the Type 055. The class, known to NATO as the "Renhai-class", currently (2023) number eight hulls led by CNS Nanchang (101) commissioned in 2020. One of the latest additions to the group is CNS Wuxi (104) who recently completed its war-fighting capability trials in March of 2023.

These warships are classified as destroyers to China but maintain qualities more akin to Cold War-era cruisers according to NATO classifications. Dimensions include a length of 590.6 feet with a beam of 65.6 feet and a draught of 21.7 feet. Displacement is between 12,000 and 13,000 tonnes under full loads. The ships are spread about the Chinese defensive line consisting of the North Sea and South Sea fleets.

For its part, CNS Wuxi (104) is assigned to the North Sea Fleet.

The Type 055 destroyer has a focus on a broad mission set, capable of being used in an offensive or defensive manner individually or as part of the main fighting fleet. This means an equally broad weapons suite that is made up of ballistic, missile, and torpedo weaponry. Over the forecastle is a 130mm H/PJ-38 series turreted deck gun that can be used against other surface ships or as a land-attack measure. The ships are also equipped with the H/PJ-11 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) to deal with shorter-ranged threats. At the heart of the suite, however, is the missile load the vessel carries: 1 x 24-cell HQ-10 short-ranged Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher and 1 x 112-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS). The latter can support SAM, cruise, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missile types. Rounding out the weapons array are 2 x 324mm torpedo launchers to deal directly with submarine and surface ship threats.

Beyond its useful weapons set, the ship is equipped with all-modern sensors, communications, and processing systems. This includes an X-band radar, the "Dragon Eye" Type 346B (C/S-band) radar, and the Type 726-4 decoy launcher. A comprehensive Electronic Warfare System (EWS) is fitted to enhance survivability of the ship in contested waters.

Installed power is from 6 x QD-50 turbine generators offering a combined 40,000 horsepower output and 4 x QC-280 gas turbines delivering a combined 150,000 horsepower. These are arranged in a COmbined Gas-And-Gas (COGAG) configuration allowed the ship to benefit from the mix of powerplants depending on the action required (cruising or dashing).

Aboard is a complement of approximately 300 personnel.

Externally, the warship has an all-modern design appearance with an unbroken hull line, reduced protrusions, and enclosed mast works. The smoke funnels at midships are also of an enclosed and low-profile design. The bridge takes up its usual place above and aft of the forecastle and the hull superstructure is a single continuous mass, stepped at parts towards the stern.

Over the rear of the hull is a combination hangar-helipad deck area supporting a pair of medium-lift navy helicopters. These are crucial to the success of the ship in that they provide a variety of at-sea services including spotting, Search and Rescue (SAR), submarine-hunting, ship-hunting, and resupply. Types supported currently include the Harbin Z-8, Changhe Z-18, and the Harbin Z-20 (all detailed elsewhere on the Military Factory).

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

March 2023 - CNS Wuxi was showcased in a Chinese propaganda video having achieved war-fighting capability.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one sea-going vessel design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for CNS Wuxi (104).

COGAG (COmbined Gas-And-Gas): 6 x QD-50 turbine generators developing 40,000 horsepower and 4 x QC-280 gas turbines of 38,000 horsepower driving 2 x Shafts astern.
Propulsion

30.0 kts
34.5 mph
Surface Speed

5,040 nm
5,800 miles | 9,334 km
Range

Structure
The bow-to-stern, port-to-starboard physical qualities of CNS Wuxi (104).

315
Personnel
Complement

590.6 ft
180.01 meters
O/A Length

65.6 ft
19.99 meters
Beam

21.7 ft
6.61 meters
Draught

13,800
tons
Displacement

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of CNS Wuxi (104).

1 x 130mm H/PJ-38 turreted deck gun.
1 x 24-cell HQ-10 short-ranged Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system.
1 x 112-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for SAM, anti-ship, anti-submarine, and land-attack missiles.
1 x H/PJ-11 Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).
2 x twin-tubed 324mm torpedo tubes.

Air Arm
Available supported fixed-wing / rotary-wing aircraft featured in the design of CNS Wuxi (104).

2 x Medium-lift navalized helicopters supported from the stern helipad/hangar deck area.

Ships-in-Class (8)
Notable series variants as part of the CNS Wuxi (104) family line as relating to the Type 055 (Renhai-class) group.

CNS Nanchang (101); CNS Lhasa (102); CNS Dalian (105); CNS Anshan (103); CNS Yan'an (106); CNS Wuxi (104); CNS Zunyi (107); CNS Xianyang (108)

Operators
Global operator(s) of the CNS Wuxi (104). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national naval warfare listing.

Shipbuilder(s): Jiangnan Shipyard Company, Limited - China

[ China ]

1 / 1

Video image capture of CNS Wuxi 104 at sea conducting its final trials.

Going Further...
CNS Wuxi (104) Guided-Missile Destroyer Warship appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)