Convoy battle in the Gulf of Aden

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

The chopper? They purchased several Frelons (about 30) from France then began building them on their own.

Have you a clue?

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Vendor

Have you a clue?

China acquired 13 Super Frelon SA321 naval helicopters in 1977-78. These helicopters came in two variants: anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) variant. The Super Frelon was the first helicopter of the PLA to be capable of operating from the flying deck of surface vessels. China also produces the Super Frelon locally under the designation Z-8 (land or ship based ASW/SAR helicopter). The Super Frelon remains operational with the PLA Navy today.
Since the early 1980s, the Super Frelons have been frequently used by the PLAN for shipborne ASW and SAR operations. For ASW mission, Z-8 is equipped with a surface search radar, French HS-12 dipping sonar while carrying a Whitehead A244S torpedo under the starboard side of the fuselage. They were also used to ferry supplies from replenishment ship to surface combatants, and transport marine troops from the landing ship to the shore. A naval SAR version called Z-8S with upgraded avionics and a searchlight, FLIR turret and a hoist flew on December 2004. Another rescue variant with dediated medivac eqipment onboard was also developed for the Navy as Z-8JH.
Z-8A version was developed as an army transport version and certified in February 1999. Two Z-8As were delivered to the Army for evaluation in 2001 but the Army decided to purchase more Mi-17V5s. Only one batch of about 6 Z-8A were delivered to the Army in November 2002, with the nose weather radar and side floats retained. Starting in 2007 PLAAF also acquired dozens of upgraded Z-8Ks and Z-8KAs for SAR missions, equipped with an FLIR turret and a searchlight underneath the cabin plus a hoist and a flare dispenser.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aérospatiale_Super_Frelon


here is a blog post where they mention the new gun pod:
http://china-pla.blogspot.com/2010/03/ac-313.html

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aérospatiale_Super_Frelon


here is a blog post where they mention the new gun pod:
http://china-pla.blogspot.com/2010/03/ac-313.html

For your research

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Vendor

For your research

Ooops, I just saw you were talking about the ships.

The ship with the tall and boxy Burke style Phased Array Radars is the Luyang-II Class DDG, while the other is a Luyang-I. The tanker is a Qiandaohu class AO.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Ooops, I just saw you were talking about the ships.

The ship with the tall and boxy Burke style Phased Array Radars is the Luyang-II Class DDG, while the other is a Luyang-I. The tanker is a Qiandaohu class AO.

No more google for me ask TLAM Strike instead,anyway I have sailing for the last 25 years,and one thing has never leave me,there are ship, navy stuff and as well the historic about, different object

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Vendor

No more google for me ask TLAM Strike instead...

Yep! You are right. That's why Oberon calls me "Jack Ryan", because I'm like a CIA analyst when it comes to foreign navies.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

Yep! You are right. That's why Oberon calls me "Jack Ryan", because I'm like a CIA analyst when it comes to foreign navies.

[Skybird]

Interesting (and worrying) references to Iranian swarming tactics in that article. I always wondered how a frigate or destroyer with a helicopter would manage to defend itself when it is attacked by 1 or 2 dozen speedboats simultaneously. Even more I am wondering if some of these boats do not have just machineguns, but maybe also SAMs against helicopters, and light SSMs or RPGs. Neither side would get out of such a fight unhurt. And pictures in that article and part of the comment highlight again how difficult it can be to spot such boats at shallow angles from onboard a ship.