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The Type 092 Chinese designation: 09-II; NATO reporting name: Xia class submarine was the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine SSBN deployed by the Peoples Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force, and the first SSBN designed and built in Asia The first and only confirmed submarine of its class, boat 406, was laid down in 1978 at Huludao, 190 km 120 mi northeast of Beijing, China The Type 092 submarine was completed in 1981 She then spent six years being fitted out and conducting tests with its twelve JL-1 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 It reportedly suffered from limited missile range and high sound emissionsShe was designed by Peng Shilu ??? and Huang Xuhua, and derived from the Type 091 submarines, with an extended hull to accommodate twelve missile tubes 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 Homeported in Jianggezhuang near Qingdao, it is reported that the 092 has never conducted strategic patrols outside Chinese regional waters The sub undertook a single patrol and then never sailed again, staying pierside for so long there were rumors it had been lost in an accident in 1985 The boat was more of a test bed, allowing China to test new underwater technologies as it gradually placed more emphasis on naval forces in general
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