The Type 052D destroyer is a class of guided missile
destroyers being deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
China plans to build around 18 of these and 9 have completed.
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's multifunction
destroyed capable of performing wide range of missions.
U.S plans to build around 76 of these and 66 have completed.
In any future conflict, these ships will play a major part in deciding the battle at the seas.
In this video Defense Updates, compares Type 052D & Arleigh Burke class based on 5 important
parameters, and draws an unbiased conclusion.
Lets get started.
TYPE-52D uses essentially the same hull as its predecessor, the Type-52C.
Its hull is slightly smaller at 154 m, but it displaces around 7500 tons when fully loaded.
It has a speed of around 30 kn (55 km/h) and range of 3,800 nmi approx.
The designers of Arleigh Burke incorporated lessons learned from the Ticonderoga-class
guided-missile cruisers.
It has a length of 155 m but displaces around 9800 tons, making it significantly bigger
than the Type 52D.
Arleigh Burke has a speed of around 31 kn (56 km/h) and range of 4,400 nmi (8,100 km).
The larger size enables the Arleigh Burke class have more range and endurance.
It also provides better headroom for future upgrades.
So, in this category Arleigh Burke class has slight advantage.
The ARLEIGH BURKE class of guided missile destroyers is the United States Navy's first
class of destroyer built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multifunction array radar.
The AN/SPY-1D is deployed on the first 40 destroyers & AN/SPY-1D(V) is deployed on the
subsequent destroyers starting with DDG-91 in 2005.
Each of these radar system has 4 radar antenna faces and is electronically controlled.
These radars have a range of around 310 km against decent sized areal targets and 20
km against sea skimming missiles.
The primary radar, the Type-348, is similar in arrangement to the SPY-1 radars.
It is a dual band AESA, which has 4 square panels, mounted on 4 sides of the superstructure.
This radar is said to have a range of 250 km against large areal targets.
Its performance against sea skimming missile is not correctly known, but is thought to
be around 10 km.
Though Chinese radar is a very strong performer, AN/SPY-1D build by U.S is widely considered
to be the best radar system along with Israeli made MFSTAR.
Also, AN/SPY-1D is very tightly integrated with Aegis Combat System that enables better
information processing.
Hence, slight advantage goes to Arleigh Burke class.
Type-52D has 64 VLS (Vertical Launch System).
The Type-52D can carry 48 Surface to Air missiles on a mission.
The primary one is the HQ-9B, which has long-range area defense capability.
It has a slant range of 200 to 300 km.
The secondary air defense is provided by the HQ-16 SAM, which has a range of 50 km
The last ditch anti-missile capacity is provided by a Type 730 Close in Weapons system.
Arleigh Burke class has 96 cell Mk 41 VLS (tubes) of which 60 can be dedicated to Air Defense.
RIM-161 Standard missile 3 can be deployed in them for AEGIS ballistic missile defense.
It has range of 2,500 km against fast incoming ballistic missile.
RIM-66 Standard MR is present for Anti aircraft role.
These have range of about 170 km.
20 mm Phalanx Close in Weapons system (CIWS) is present
Both vessels also deploy multiple guns for short-range engagement.
In traditional air defense against aircrafts and drones, both are more or less equally
competent, Arleigh Burke having more missiles but Type-52D having missile with better range.
Arleigh Burke class is uniquely placed, having the ability to take out ballistic missiles,
giving it a distinct advantage.
Of the 64 VLS, if 48 are equipped for Air defense, 16 can be used for Anti Ship YJ-12 missile.
The range of the missile is said to vary from 220 km to around 350 km depending on flight profile.
The missile reaches supersonic speeds of more than 2 Mach during the final dive towards its target.
Like Type -52D, the Arleigh Burke can be configured as per mission, but because it has more VLS,
it can carry more missiles, 36 of the 96 VLS can be allocated for Anti Ship Warfare.
The main Anti ship missile of the Arleigh Burke class is the HARPOON 2 ER.
HARPOON 2 ER has improved turbojet engine with electronic fuel controls giving it much
greater range, when compared to its predecessor.
It has a capability to reach targets at a maximum distance of 124 KM and has subsonic
speed of 0.7 Mach.
Clearly, the Type -52D’s has a distinct advantage in quality, but Arleigh Burke carries more missiles.
In case of a conflict, the Type -52D has an advantage, as it is more likely to land the knockout punch.
Type -52D uses H/SJD-9 hull mounted sonar as well as H/SJG-206 towed array sonar
These have similar capability to those used in Arleigh Burke class.
Type -52D’s main ASW weapon is 2 triple mountings for a total of 6 lightweight torpedo tubes.
lightweight torpedoes like Mark 44, Mark 46, and Mark 50.
These have a range of around 15 km
The Arleigh Burke class uses AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array & AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar.
Arleigh Burke class main Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) weapon is 2 triple torpedo tubes
for lightweight torpedoes like Mark 44, Mark 46, and Mark 50. These have a range of around 15 to 18 km.
These have a range of around 15 km.
Arleigh Burke class has two hangars for ASW helicopters like Seahawk LAMPS III.
Overall, the ASW reach of Arleigh Burke class is better due to the ability of deploying
2 helicopters instead of 1 in Type -52D.
Arleigh Burke class performed better overall.
But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will win against the Type -52D’s every time.
Victory in a battle depends on other factors too, like the training of the crew in maneuvering,
damage control and the tactics employed by the captain.
It must be noted that currently U.S has 66 of these, against 9 of China.
Its a huge numeric advantage, as for every 1 Type -52D, there is 7 Arleigh Burke class.