C 14-class missile boat

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The C 14-class missile boat is a light missile boat of catamaran designed for use in the Middle East, also known as the China Cat class. The small size of the ship, along with some stealth features provide it with good protection against enemy detection, and it can be armed with a variety of light anti-ship missiles. In addition to the low radar cross section, the boat is also extremely fast with an aluminum monohull with stepped planning.

The Iranian version, named Azarakhsh
Class overview
Operators
Succeeded byType 022 missile boat
In commissionSince 2002
General characteristics
Displacement20 tons (fully loaded)[1]
Length23 m (75 ft 6 in)
Beam4 m (13 ft 1 in)
Height3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
Draught1 m (3 ft 3 in)
Propulsion2 x Isotta V1312 T2 MS diesel engines rated at 880Kw/2700rpm, 2 x ZF Trimax 3200 surface drive with ZF 550 gearbox
Speed50 kn (93 km/h)+
Range300 nmi (560 km)
Crew10
Sensors and
processing systems
Type 351 light surface search radar
Armament
  • 4-8 × C-701 / TL-10 / Kowsar or
  • 2-4 C-704 / Nasr-1
  • 1 × 12 or 16 round 107mm Rocket Artillery or
  • 2 × 324mm Torpedo Tubes, 1 × 23mm AAA, 1 × 12.7mm HMG
Notes[1]

Design

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The catamaran design provides better seaworthiness in comparison to the other boats of similar displacement with a conventional hull. The missile boats have been exported to Iran, where since 2000 it has been in service with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy Corps. In Chinese service, it primarily serves as a trial boat, including testing various light anti-ship missiles and other weaponry for catamarans.

The boats were reportedly first seen in Iran in May 2002, and western sources assumed that a number of these vessels were delivered by China.[2]

Sources

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  1. ^ a b Worldwide Equipment Guide 2011 Volume 3, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, section 3, p. 8.
  2. ^ Silverstone, Paul H. (2001), "Naval Intelligence", Warship International, 38 (4), International Naval Research Organization: 346, JSTOR 44895663