Type 039 (Song Class) Diesel-Electric Submarine

http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/039.asp

NAME

* PLA Official Designation: Type 039
* NATO Code-name: Song Class

CONTROCTORS

* Designer: 701 Shipbuilding Institute, Wuhan
* Builder: Wuhan Shipyard

PROGRAMME

Type 039 (Song class) is China's latest indigenously built diesel-electric submarine (SSK). Intended to replace the ageing Type 035 (Ming class) and Type 033 (Romeo class) fleets, which have been in service for more than four decades, the Type 039 features a Western-style hydrodynamically sleek profile, new cylindrical bow mounted sonars, a German MTU 12V 493 diesel engine, and new anti-submarine torpedo. Another significant improvement of the submarine is its capability to fire YJ-8 (C-801) anti-ship cruise missile from underwater. Overall the Type 039's technology is thought to be equivalent to the Western level of the 1980s.

The first Type 039 launched on 25 May 1994 at Wuhan

The first boat (pennant No. 320) of the Type 039 was launched on 25 May 1994 at Wuhan Shipyard, Wuhan, but it didn't commission until 1998. After the initial sea trial, the PLAN cancelled further orders due to unsatisfying performance. Serious problems were reported to have been identified in the submarine's designs. As a result, the design of the Type 039 was fully revised, which resulted in the modified Type 039G.

The first Type 039G (pennant 321) was commissioned in 2001. Compared to the Type 039, the most distinctive feature on the Type 039G is its conventional bridge design which replaces the unique boot shape bridge on the original Type 039. The second Type 039G (pennant 322) is said to have finished sea trial in 2002, and an additional three boats are currently under construction at Wuhan Shipyard.

The prototype Type 039 has an unique boot shape bridge

INVENTORY
Pennant

Name

Fleet

Laid Down

Launched

Commissioned
320 Yuanzheng 20 East Sea Fleet 1991 05/1994 1998
321 Yuanzheng 21 East Sea Fleet ? ? ?

DESIGN FEATURES

The Type 039 is about 74.9m long, and 8.4m wide, giving a length-breadth ratio of 8.9, about the same as that of the Type 035 (Ming Class). The submarine is fitted with a seven-blade large slanted propeller and shock-absorbance for the main engine. The body of the submarine is water-drop shaped and it has a wrap-casing rudder. It also uses damping tiles similar to those used on the Kilo class submarine.

COMMAND SYSTEM

The Type 039/G is fitted with a multi-purpose combat and command system which provides information for submarine control and torpedo/missile firing. The system might be a derivation of the combat and command system on the Type 035 (Ming class), with certain improvements. Its overall performance is possibly only compared to the Western technology of the 1970s.

MISSILES

The Type 039/G are reportedly capable of firing the submarine-launched variant of the YJ-8 (C-801) from its 533mm torpedo tubes. The missile uses active radar homing and is powered by a solid rocket engine (with a solid rocket booster). The anti-ship missile has a range of 42 km and approaches the target in sea skimming mode at a speed of 0.9 Mach. The 165 kg shaped charge warhead has time delayed impact proximity fuses.

Type 039G has a modified more conventional bridge design

TORPEDOES

The Type 039/G is equipped with six 533mm forward torpedo tubes, and carries a total of 16-20 torpedoes (Yu-4 and/or newer models) in tubes and storage racks. Alternatively the submarine can carry mines in its tubes. Some (if not all) of the torpedo tubes are specially design to fire YJ-8 (C-801) anti-ship missiles from under water.

SENSORS

The Type 039/G is fitted with an integrated medium-frequency spherical bow-mounted sonar for passive and active search and attack. It also has flank array low-frequency sonars for passive search.

COUNTERMEASURES

Countermeasures include a Type 921-A radar warning receiver and direction-finder.

PROPULSION

The Type 039/G is powered by a diesel-electric arrangement, consisting of 4 MTU, 16V 396 SE diesels rated at 6,092 hp (4.48 MW), with 4 alternators, 1 motor and 1 shaft.

The Type 039G is likely to be the mass production variant of Song class

SPECIFICATIONS

Displacement: (Surface) 1,700 tons; (Dived) 2,250 tons
Dimensions: Length 74.9 m; Beam 8.4 m; Draft 5.3 m
Speed: (Dived) 22 knots, (Surfaced) 15 knots
Crew: 60 (10 officers)

Song class:

039 Gai (Improved) Song Class SSK:

039 Song SSK:

中国海军宋改潜艇 039-G






Kanwa analyzed the structure difference between 314 and 324 subs which is visiting HK. The appearance of 324 shows that PLAN very much concerns the upgrading work for 039A. For more details, see Kanwa issue May 30. Kanwa has noticed that China imported more diesel engines from an EU country for building further 039A. The pick of manufacturing type 039A/B is under way. <Kanwa photo HK>



In the exclusive interview with Mr. G. Makalov, the deputy designer of Russian Rubin Central ship design Bureau, he told Kanwa in 1997 that the sail of 039A is too high, which may cause the instability under water sailing. Many of the Chinese military magazines translated the interview. Type 039A/B showed in HK indicated that redesign of the structure includes lowing down the sail. Judging from the upgrading conception of 039A, Kanwa believes that PLAN may have accepted the reference from Pakistani Agosta 90B. <Kanwa Photos>


http://www.kanwa.com/free/2004/05/e0507a.htm

039 Song gai

039G