Type 092 submarine

The 6,500-ton Type 092 Daqingyu (US Department of Defense designation Xia-class, Chinese designation 09-II) submarine was the first ballistic missile-carrying, nuclear-powered submarine class (SSBN) deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, and the first SSBN designed and built in Asia. She was designed by Huang Xuhua (黄旭华), and derived from the Han-Class SSNs, with an extended hull to accommodate four missile tubes. The first Changzheng 6 (# 406) of its class was laid down in 1978 at Huludao 120 miles North-East of Beijing; she was completed in 1981. She then spent 6 years being fitted out and conducting tests with its 12 JL-1 (CSS-N-3) missiles, becoming active in 1987. Later, the submarine went through numerous upgrades in incremental step, including using Type H/SQ2-262B sonar manufactured by No. 613 Factory replacing the original Type 604 sonar on board.

The 092 has undergone numerous refits, currently featuring a new black paint, possible quieting technologies, French designed sonar, and the improved longer ranged JL-1A SLBM. It is reported that the 092 has not sailed beyond Chinese regional waters. One of the two Xia's built was reported lost during an accident.

The Xia is aging however and a new Ballistic Missile Submarine design is in the works for the People's Liberation Army Navy. The US Defense Intelligence Agency lists the Xia-Class as being "Not Operational." [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/china/type_92.htm Type 092 Xia Class SSBN ] ]

The 092 class are homeported in Jianggezhuang near Qingdao. [http://www.nukestrat.com/china/subcave.htm]

See also

*Type 094 submarine

Notes and references

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/slbm/type_92.htm Federation of American Scientists: Type 92 Xia]
* [http://www.amazon.com/Submarines-World-David-Miller/dp/0517586665 Submarines of the World by David Miller]