OVERVIEW: The Type 87 is a ship‑mounted, unguided, short‑range Anti‑Submarine Warfare (ASW) rocket salvo launcher developed by China as a successor to earlier Soviet‑inspired designs. It features six fixed barrels for launching 240 mm depth rockets in rapid salvos to engage submarines at close range.

DETAILS: The Type 87 ASW rocket launcher, introduced in the early 1990s, uses a six‑tube fixed launcher mounted at the ship’s bow. It fires 240 mm fin‑stabilized rockets (typically the Type 81G) with 34 kg high‑explosive warheads, detonating via impact or proximity fuzes . Developed from the Type 81, the Type 87 extended its maximum range and improved fire‑control integration. Rockets are fired in saturation salvos to create lethal underwater patterns based on sonar range/bearing data. Typically two launchers per vessel carry 12 rounds ready, with stock of 36 rockets onboard.

The variant fitted on modern frigates such as Type 054, Type 054A (e.g., hull 522 Ziyang), and Type 54A Jiangdao II class (e.g., 625 Bazhong) retains the six‑tube 240 mm configuration and uses standard Type 81G rounds, maintaining compatibility and logistical commonality. No major performance upgrades are noted, though wiring and mounting have been standardized across vessel classes.

The launcher is fixed elevation, bow‑mounted; target alignment requires ship maneuvering. Firing is triggered via onboard ASW fire‑control consoles linked to hull or VDS sonars (e.g., MGK‑335). Standard operating procedure involves sonar detection, course bearing alignment, salvo fire, and manual reload. Reloading is manual or assisted, depending on ship class.

NOTE:
IOC: ~1992
Operators: China
Platforms: Type 054 Jiangkai I, Type 054A Jiangkai II (e.g., 522 Ziyang), Type 056A Jiangdao II (e.g., 625 Bazhong), Type 054A/P export variants (e.g., Pakistani Tughril class) 

Conflict used in: No confirmed combat usage; deployed in PLAN service since 1992.

SOURCE:
https://www.seaforces.org/marint/China-Navy-PLAN/Frigates/Type-054A-Jiangkai-II-class.htm ; WeaponsSystems.net: Type 87 system: https://weaponsystems.net/system/423-Type-054%2Bclass ; Naval‑Technology: Type 054A armament https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/type-054a-jiangkai-ii-class-frigate/ ; Wikipedia: Type 054A details