00X/004 future nuclear CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter AETHER
- Start date
No. Though we may start to see the hull modules of at least either of the two carriers sometime later this year. Though, identifying them should take some time, which is understandable.
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I think it's too early to think about modeling the next generation of carrier aircraft, the new J-XX is still a demonstrator or prototype, it's overall layout will likely change significantly in the next few years, at this time making a J-XX model would probably be useless
Based on the numbering "36011" seen on the J-36 prototype and equipment installed such as side looking radar arrays and optics, it is already well past the demonstrator stage and is at the full prototype stage, equivalent to J-20 prototype numbered "2011" that first flew in 2014. J-20 entered LRIP in late 2015 about a year and a half after the first flight of prototype "2011" and entered mass production and "combat ready" service in 2017. If the J-50 is at the same stage as J-36 (big IF), then it is very reasonable to test mockups of J-50 on the next carrier mockup at this point.
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.
I see 200,000 tonne "mega-carriers" as realistic.
It literally would require an unique set of infrastructure to be custom-built.
But a 150,000 tonne carrier would be under 400 metres and there are many Chinese shipyards that already build and repair ships that are 400 metres long
I think this would be the practical upper limit.
But we'll have to see what happens.
The Sanya drydock argument isn't that convincing to me. I will never question China's ability to build infrastructure. This carrier will undoubtedly operate 6th gen, and that ability is much more important than expanding a drydock. Plus, the drydock is 80m wide and Fujian is already at 76m in width.
Note that Yankee specifically said the nuclear carrier will be impressive in its "main dimensions". Fujian's deck is already quite big, and perhaps we will see a carrier that's a bit higher than Ford in tonnage, but with a notably bigger deck.
Guys ... this is the 004 aircraft carrier thread and since we barely know anything concrete about the 004 itself, anything hypothetical about J-XS's operations, fuel consume and so on is not based on facts but pure assumption!
Stop this and stick to the facts please.
Stop this and stick to the facts please.
Building a completely new class of supersized carrier requiring brand new infrastructure seems extremely risky. Not only are you keeping an increased number of very expensive asset (J-XS) in a single basket, but also maintenance will be uniquely vulnerable to disruption due to the increased size and hence reduced number of drydocks that are appropriate.
A couple extra nuclear Fujians will do the job just fine, leaping straight to the biggest when the first CATOBAR carrier is still doing sea trials seems far too ambitious, to put it mildly.
The question really is how much more would such a carrier cost, along with the cost of constructing drydocks that can handle it? If the cost is not that much more then it doesn't make sense to make smaller ones. You don't HAVE to have more expensive assets parked on it, you can simply have more fuel, food, and munitions, which should would increase its station on time and reduce the frequency of resupply.
Whoops. That should have "I don't see 200,000 tonne "mega-carriers" as realistic."