00X/004 future nuclear CATOBAR carrier thread

[TK3600]

All these argumemts of larger displacement miss the point. It is not about ambition to one up US, it is for technical necessity. If planes are forever size of J-35, then we are all happy with Fujian size, a size below American Ford class. But 6th generational fighters are larger. We must see carriers grow proportionally, and if that size is above Ford class, it is coincidence not intention.

Fact is world do not revolve around America, so stop thinking like that.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Possible first ship module (could be a test/evaluation module) that belongs to the 004 CVN has appeared at Dalian. Posted by @Captain小潇 on Weibo and @rational314159 on Twitter.

The ship module has two troughs that are slightly angled to one another, which are very likely EMCAT troughs (compared to the same previously seen on a ship module at Hudong-Zhonghua, which was likely meant for the 076 LHD, 4th photo) and closely matches that of the 3rd and 4th (waist) catapults found on the Nimitz and Ford CVNs (3rd photo).

What looks to be mockups of a J-15T and a helicopter is also visible beside the hull module (2nd photo).

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

More on the ship module (could be a test/evaluation module) - Apparently the ship module is already present and visible at Dalian as early as early/mid-2024!

Posted by the same guy on Weibo.

 

[para80]

Thats not Dagushan though. Its the main dock at Dalian port where Liaoning and Shandong were (re)built. Which makes sense.

 

[Neurosmith]

More on the ship module - Apparently the ship module is already present and visible at Dalian's Dagushan as early as early/mid-2024!

Posted by the same guy on Weibo.

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Why would these sections be manufactured first? Shouldn't the vessel be built from the keel up?

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Thats not Dagushan though. Its the main dock at Dalian port where Liaoning and Shandong were (re)built. Which makes sense.

Noted, just noticed that in the 1st and 5th photos.

Thanks for the correction, post rectified.

 

[mack8]

So based on the emergence of modules, when can we roughly expect launch of the 004 supercarrier? Also, any confirmation of the rumoured 003 repeat carrier at Jiangnan?

 

[Blitzo]

It would be odd for flight deck modules for the actual article to be present so soon.

If it is related to the actual CVN in some form, I suppose it is possible that they might be demo modules of some sort.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

It would be odd for flight deck modules for the actual article to be present so soon.

If it is related to the actual CVN in some form, I suppose it is possible that they might be demo modules of some sort.

Both Shenhua and @还是捣蛋 on Weibo agree with that bolded phrase (test/experimental module, 试验分段).

Although, would the demo modules make it onboard the actual ship in the latter stages of construction?

 

[para80]

Abandoned effort to convert Liaoning to CATOBAR.

Ok I'll get my coat.