Could it be a model? It seem to be in pieces for transport. They prob will assemble it on ship, for research purpose.
00X/004 future nuclear CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter AETHER
- Start date
Indeed ... strange! ... looks almost like the new SAC fighter.
View attachment 142822
And it was also visible on the image taken in November.
View attachment 142823
Doesn't look like anything. Probably pieces of construction equipment.
is type 004 already under construction?Indeed ... strange! ... looks almost like the new SAC fighter.
View attachment 142822
And it was also visible on the image taken in November.
View attachment 142823
According to the Guancha Trio, yes - Alongside another (tentatively designated) 003A.
Well ... I'm not sure what it is but at least IMO it is not "NOTHING"! ... and since at the moment it seems quite normal to discuss strange things like a 150,000 or even 200,000 tonnes super-carrier, fighters with hypersonic-capabilities due to a third ramjet-engine or even inflatable weapons bays, I thought I might add another such topic.
Actually, that does look like a large-sized fighter jet, almost reminiscent of the J-50.
is there any satellite photo of type 004 hull under construction?
It could also be a J-15 model covered in black cloth, but strangely it doesn't have canard.
Well ... I'm not sure what it is but at least IMO it is not "NOTHING"! ... and since at the moment it seems quite normal to discuss strange things like a 150,000 or even 200,000 tonnes super-carrier, fighters with hypersonic-capabilities due to a third ramjet-engine or even inflatable weapons bays, I thought I might add another such topic.
Now that I think about it - The "150 thousand-ton CVN" notion is rather unrealistic, especially with that large naval drydock at Sanya for reference.
Personally, I can envision that (or shall I say, won't be surprised if) the PLAN CVNs ended up being larger than their American counterparts by 10000 tons or (at most) 20000 tons (i.e. full load displacement of 110-120 thousand tons at maximum) in order to better accommodate naval-based J-XDS(H) operations in the future. However, any more than that is just straight up unfeasible from the angles of procurement, operation and maintenance efforts and costs.
Hell, even a 120 thousand-ton supercarrier is already stretching the limits.
And, yes - I agree that any discussions on such prospects should be halted/dismissed unless verifiable information is available which alludes to the theory/idea of a 150 thousand-ton supercarrier is indeed being pursued by the PLAN.
If that black mockup is indeed meant to represent J-XDS(H) - The wings of that mockup look to be noticeably smaller than the J-XDS's wings. Could it be in a disassembled state when the photographs are taken?
Certainly an interesting observation that needs follow-ups going forward.