pictures of modern warships and stealth ships

In a conflict scenario, such as the potential invasion of Taiwan, the Type-022 will rely on its stealth feature to survive long enough to launch overwhelming missile strikes and survive a counteract. Navy’s Harpoon missile and have an effective range of about 100 nautical miles. In capability terms, they are loosely equivalent to the U.S. Operating in swarms, they provide combined firepower of 64 YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. Unlike most of the PLA’s larger warships, the Type-022 is operated in distinct squadrons comprising of eight vessels. The PLA introduced the Type-022 Houbei around 2004 and since then its numbers have multiplied with current estimates being between about 40 to 80 hulls. The Type-022’s unique layout even creates a distinctive signature that can easily be recognised.Īccording to radar-satellite imagery provider Capella Space, the so-called stealth missile boats are clearly recognizable even when they’re moored in their bases. Everything is carefully angled including window frames which have saw-tooth edges, going by published photos of the class.ĭespite factoring in such careful considerations, when viewed from space using a radar-equipped satellite, the PLA’s “stealth” ships show up rather well. Its lines are angled and sloped to deflect incoming radar waves, much like a stealth fighter. The PLA’s Type 022 missile boat is an extreme case in point.

These have become standard features in the designing of modern warships for the last 20 years. Military designers of warships are increasingly taking care to factor in the radar signature into the design and are incorporating sharp angles to deflect radar waves and are applying coatings that absorb radar energy.

Pictures of modern warships and stealth ships