Interesting tid bits from this promotional video of Next-Generation Combat Management System (ostensibly intended for NGD and NGF programs):
Could this be a conceptual render of the 10,000-13,000 ton NGD, unofficially known as the Project-18 DDG?
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Few observations:
- 72 VLS up front...another farm is present amidships, but I'm not entirely sure if its the same size but looking smaller due to perspective or if it's really a smaller farm. Either way, it would have 48-72 cells in the back for a total of 120-144 Universal VLS cells for SAMs, LACMs, smaller ASCMs, ASROCs etc. This is likely the same UVLS that was reported as being under development by DRDO.
- They seem to have gotten rid of the BrahMos UVLM launchers (most likely the future BrahMos-II hypersonic missiles would have required the same or similar sized ones) and instead moved to 8 x inclined launchers for the SSM armament. It's yet unclear if the rear VLS farm is a 'modular' block which could be swapped for one equipped with large VLS for outsize articles (like hypersonics or SMART anti-sub missiles), such as what's intended for US Navy's DDG(X).
- There is no visible secondary radar/volumn search radar anywhere. This could be an indication that the radar mast depicted here could be housing a multi-band radar setup (the LRMFR is already in testing on INS Anvesh) that can do both jobs within a single integrated radar housing, similar to what's on the Zumwalt-class.
- The arrangement of exhaust funnels is unique and a lot can be inferred i.e. they are 100% moving away from Zorya-Mashproekt turbines and toward Rolls Royce MT30. MoUs have already been signed as previously reported, along with a joint development contract for customized IEP intended for warm-water applications between GE & BEL.
This is all of course considering this render is indeed somewhat indicative of the direction NGD/NGF are taking...if this turns out to be just a representative render, well then,...
@Nilgiri @Anmdt @Lordimperator