Xia-class

Essentially a lengthened Han/Long March SSN, Xia appears to be a one-of-a-kind trials boat. Construction of four production versions under the name of "Project 93" appear to be proceeding towards a late 1990's start. The CSS-N-3/Ju Lang-1 missiles appear to be roughly similar to the 1960's-vintage Polaris A-3. Current reports give it a range of roughly 1,500 nm./2,500 km carrying a single thermonuclear warhead. Like the Han/Long March SSNs, it is unlikely that they have much in the way of quieting, making it an easy target to hunt.

Structural/Powerplant

Basically a lengthened Han/Long March-class SSN, the Xia is of conventional steel hulled construction with a single 90 MW pressurized water reactor. This provides power a turboelectric drive which drives a single screw with 15,000 SHP.

Weapons

Six - 21"/533 mm torpedo tubes (firing torpedoes only) and 12 launch tubes for CSS-N-3/Ju Lang-1 nuclear missiles.

Countermeasures

Radio/radar intercept relievers. May include French Thomson-CSF DR-2000U intercept reliever.

Sensors

Thomson-Sintra DUUX-5 sonar, surface search radar and two periscopes.