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Type 312 minesweeper

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Class overview
NameType 312 class minesweeper
BuildersHudong-Zhonghua Shipyard
Operators People's Liberation Army Navy
General characteristics
TypeDrone minesweeper
Displacement47 t (46 long tons; 52 short tons)
Length20.9 m (68 ft 7 in)
Beam3.9 m (12 ft 10 in)
Draught2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
  • 1 × Type 12V150C diesel engine
  • 300 hp (224 kW)
  • 1 shafts
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range144 nmi (267 km; 166 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement3 (when manned)
ArmamentMachine gun mount available for manned operation

The Chinese Type 312 class minesweeper was also known as Futi class.[1] It was the first remote minesweeping drone, and was successfully used in the Vietnam War.[2]

Although originally designed as a minesweeping drone, the Type 312 can also be manned by a 3-man crew as a regular minesweeper. The chief designer was Mr. Diao Haiguang (刁海光) of the 710th Institute, and from the start of the project to the completion of the first two units (two units are being built simultaneously), it only took less than two years when the first two units entered the service for the People's Liberation Army Navy. Due to its small size, this class is maintained on land and thus is in better conditions than most of other larger boats and ships in the reserve fleet. The drone can be remotely operated from more than 5 km (3.1 mi) away.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blumenthal, Dan (2012). Strategic Asia 2012-13: China's Military Challenge. NBR. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-9818904-3-2.
  2. ^ "Futi class Drone Minesweeper - People's Liberation Army Navy". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2022-05-02.