Type 909 weapon trials ship
{{Short description|Type of naval ship}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
The Type 909 (NATO reporting name: Dahua) is a class of Chinese auxiliary ship. Four were built for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as weapon trial and oceanographic research ships.{{cite book |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephan |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2015-2016 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2015 |isbn=978-0710631435 |page=158}}{{cite book| title=The Military Balance 2024| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=February 2024| publisher=Routledge| location=London| isbn=9781032780047 |page=258}}
History
The first ship, Bi Sheng, was completed as a weapons test range ship with Russian MR-90 "Front Dome" radar and electronic countermeasures. It operated as a electronic intelligence ship near Japan in February 2000 prior to PLAN exercises. Bi Sheng was converted into a weapon trial ship at the Wuhu shipyard, and received pennant number 891 in October 2002; while at the shipyard the hull was designated "Wuhu-B" by Western intelligence. Bi Sheng was equipped with "Top Plate" air search radar and "Front Dome" fire control radar and may have test fired the CJ-10 land-attack cruise missile in August 2012.
The design of the third ship, Zhan Tianyou, may have been a modified Type 636 hydrographic survey ship. It had a raised bow breakwater and an enclosed, instead of a lattice, foremast.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, by 2024 two were used as weapon trial ships and two were oceanographic research ships.
Designation
In 2015, Janes listed Zhan Tianyou and Li Siguang as Type 909s. By 2024, the United States Navy considered these ships to be Type 910 weapon trials ships.
Ships of class
References
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{{Ship classes of the Chinese Navy|state=uncollapsed}}
Category:Auxiliary ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy