CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[lcloo]

Just to show that a lone cloud is not uncommon. This is in Ukraine war front. This is not a result of explosion, just cloud.

I think we should stop speculating that photo is an indication that Fujian was undergoing a shock trial. Not saying Fujian did not had a shock trial, but that photo certainly did not potray one.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Fujian to return to Jiangnan tomorrow (April 1, local time) after her 7th sea trial.

 

[kwaigonegin]

I honestly am quite surprised so many here alluded to the picture showing a carrier shock test. It's quite obvious it's not and that was just a cloud.
The size of the so called explosion would've required a massive ordnance like a tactical nuke.
I'm pretty sure Jiangnan and PLAN don't use nukes for a shock test. And it it was, CV 18 wouldn't be sailing back to port w/o a scratch.

 

[Alfa_Particle]

She's back.

 

[Franklin]

CV-18 Fujian Sea Trails

Fujian First Sea Trail (1 may 2024 - 8 may 2024) (8 days)

Fujian Second Sea Trail (23 may 2024 - 11 june 2024) (18 days)

Fujian Third Sea Trail (3 july 2024 -“ 28 july 2024) (25 days)

Fujian Fourth Sea Trail (3 september 2024 - 21 september 2024) (18 days)

Fujian Fifth Sea Trail (18 november 2024 - 3 december 2024) (15 days)

Fujian Sixth Sea Trail (28 december 2024 - 7 january 2025) (11 days)

Fujian Seventh Sea Trail (18 march 2025 - 1 april 2025) (14 days)

Total 109 days at sea

 

[mack8]

So any news if anything exciting happened during the last sea trials?

 

[AndrewJ]

So any news if anything exciting happened during the last sea trials?

There are two possibilities:

1) Nothing exciting happened.
2) Sth exciting happened, but CCTV chose to show it to the public later, until 23rd April (Navy's birthday).

She's back.
View attachment 149148View attachment 149149

Why the island looks so dark? The J-35 on deck is a real one or again a mock-up?

 

[iBBz]

View attachment 149149

That ridiculous watermark is blocking the area where the mockup wing strut sits.

 

[lcloo]

There are two possibilities:

1) Nothing exciting happened.
2) Sth exciting happened, but CCTV chose to show it to the public later, until 23rd April (Navy's birthday).



Why the island looks so dark? The J-35 on deck is a real one or again a mock-up?

It is mock-up. No active service aircraft or real aircraft will be onboard when the ship goes back to the ship builder's yard. Reason is simple, (1) security and (2) the real aircrafts and the pilots will have to keep on flying during the period, horning their skill, while Fujian is immobilised in the shipyard.

 

[lcloo]

CV-18 Fujian Sea Trails

Fujian First Sea Trail (1 may 2024 - 8 may 2024) (8 days)

Fujian Second Sea Trail (23 may 2024 - 11 june 2024) (18 days)

Fujian Third Sea Trail (3 july 2024 -“ 28 july 2024) (25 days)

Fujian Fourth Sea Trail (3 september 2024 - 21 september 2024) (18 days)

Fujian Fifth Sea Trail (18 november 2024 - 3 december 2024) (15 days)

Fujian Sixth Sea Trail (28 december 2024 - 7 january 2025) (11 days)

Fujian Seventh Sea Trail (18 march 2025 - 1 april 2025) (14 days)

Total 109 days at sea

Shandong went through 9 sea trials and about 85-90 days total before commissioning. Fujian has done 7 sea trials and 109 day so far.

I believe Fujian has gone more than half way or even 2/3 through the sea trial program. May be we will see 4 or 5 more sea trials before the hand-over to PLAN by ship builder. Thus Fujian will likely be getting commission in early 2026, possibly Q1, and IOC in 2027, and FOC in 2028/2029.

Shenyang AVIC will have to deliver at least a full compliment of 48(?) J35 in next 3-4 years.