I think Global Times purposely tend to be more Chinese nationalistic or trolling arm of the state media
Type 076 LHD/LHA discussion
- Thread starter banjex
- Start date
I think Global Times purposely tend to be more Chinese nationalistic or trolling arm of the state media
Theoretically, it is certainly possible. But to ensure the operation of aircraft during combat deployment, the deck is definitely not suitable for that. It is simply small and inappropriately designed. It is really for drones and helicopters. And as for a possible emergency landing during combat deployment, which was also discussed here, any captain would have a hard time allowing such an attempt and thereby putting himself out of action for too long. Moreover, accepting the risk of not being able to handle this operation with a damaged aircraft... well, yeah.
Of course, I do not exclude the possibility of a promotional flight. But I do not really believe in it.
Easies way to take care of any potential deck space problems with the GJ-21s? Stack'em.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
You joke, but virtual stacking might actually be a viable option to massively increase the number of GJ21s that could be housed in the hanger.
That's a terrible idea. Stacking means it'll be very difficult for mechanics to access drones for maintenance.
One of the main advantage points of drones is that you can design them without much of it. I.e. store them as weapons between sorties.
Without it, naval drones honestly would be a bad deal, as maximizing return from square area favours manned (optionally if necessary) designs more..
plawolf
Lieutenant General
It won’t be an Amazon warehouse where the whole hanger is just stacks of drones. You can allocate a reasonable proportion of floor space for storage and still have more than enough hanger space left to carry out maintenance and repairs as needed.
That isn't really accurate. Drones like GJ-21s are as complex, sometimes even more complex, than regular fighter aircrafts. Storing and seeing them as weapons between sorties is plain wrong. That can be done with loitering ammunition or other extremely small and low impact drones, but not with relatively huge and complex stealth drones, especially not in a naval environment that stresses any aircraft even stronger.
They are maintained and checked just as regularly as any normal, manned fighter. They can't and won't be stacked.
It isn't about complexity; some of the most complex and precise aerospace machines sit in constant readiness with only scheduled periodical maintenance: ICBMs.
It's about approach. You don't need to train your UCAVs, as such it's better to design them in a different way. I.e. storability here isn't by-product, it's goal and enabling feature.
ICBMs don't get used, and they also aren't exposed to seawater.
Drones like the GJ-21 can certainly be parked much closer together than say a J-15, but any notion of stacking or anything similar is absurd.