CNS Wuzhou (626) is an all-modern surface fighting combatant serving the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. The ship is classified locally as a frigate but recognized by the West as a Corvette. With good endurance, ocean-going speed, and a broad weapon's set, the warship makes up a critical component of the Chinese presence in the Pacific Theater as part of the formidable South Sea Fleet. The ship is built to the Type 056A standard (known locally as the Jiangdao-class) and a total of seventy-two hulls (Type 056/056A combined) were built to the standard originating from no fewer than three Chinese shipyards. The Type 056/056A succeeded the Type 037 corvette series of warships in service with the PLAN.
The warship has an all-modern silhouette utilizing slab sides, a stepped hull approach, and low-profile lines. The primary turret is set over the forecastle with the bridge superstructure set aft. The main mast is integrated to the rear portion of the bridge superstructure. The superstructure lines run unbroken from aft of the forecastle to ahead of the helicopter landing area. The smoke funnels are of a fully-enclosed, low-profile design while being seated amidships. The aft hull superstructure is home to a hangar area, additional sensors, and weaponry.
Displacing 1,500 tons, the hull has an overall length of 300 feet with a beam of 36.5 feet and a draught down to 13 feet. The shallow draught allows for close-to-shore operational support. Propulsion power is derived from 2 x SEMT Pielstick PA6-STC diesel units driving 2 x Shafts astern up to speeds of 25 knots out to a range of 3,500 nautical miles. Aboard is a complement of 78 personnel.
The vessel is outfitted with all the sensors, processing systems, and weapons needed to counter modern at-sea threats of the day. Air-surface search is handled by the Type 360 radar while Fire Control (FC) is managed through the Type 347G series suite. The hull is also equipped with a sonar system at the bow and the vessel can deploy a towed array as well as a variable depth unit as needed.
Armament is led by the 76mm AK-176 turreted deck gun over the forecastle. Other ballistic solutions include a pair of 30mm H/PJ-17 series automatic cannons for short-to-medium-ranged work. However, the heart of the design is the missile armament which includes a single 8-cell FL-3000N Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher and a pair of twin-celled YJ-83 Anti-Ship Missiles (ASMs) - both giving the warship ranged, medium-to-long-distance fire. Rounding out the armament suite is a pair of 324mm triple torpedo tubes.
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