Aircraft Carriers II (Closed to posting)

So, I was reflecting on the successfully completed sea trials for the USS America, LHA-6 and the recent launch of the USS Gerald R. Ford, CVN-78.

As Asif has said, there has been a significant increase in the number sof nations building and acquiring aircrft carriers, including the multi-purpose flattops that can serve as either a STOVL carrier or an amphibious/air assault carrier (like the America).

The PLAN acquired the Varyag in 1998 and turned her into the Liaoning, commissioning her in 2012, and now working up her air wing for eventual operational capability.



I had not really added it all up before, but in the time that that was occurring, here is what the US Navy did with aircraft carriers:













That's six major carrier vessels in 15 years. Pretty impressive. Many Americans sometimes think that US Naval shipbuilding has somehow let down...but clearly, it has not. In those same 15 years, the US launched and commissioned 34 . A very impressive record too.

Now, with the carriers, the US has decommissioned just as many as it has built (even more), and that in itself is another major point. That the US has these vessels in such abundance that it can decommission and dispose of them tells you that the US Navy shipbuilding industry continues on very strongly, and it keeps on going too.

In addition to those six, two more carriers are already under construction:

Jeff has John F Kenndey actually been laid yet?

I think the steel is cut bit it's keel isn't due to be laid until 2015

Also USS Tripoli was laid on which date?

asif iqbal said:

Jeff has John F Kenndey actually been laid yet?

I think the steel is cut bit it's keel isn't due to be laid until 2015

Also USS Tripoli was laid on which date?

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I was told Tripoli was laid down in April 2013. JFK is supposed to be laid down before 2014.

In today's world, with so much modular construction going on, keel laying is not what it used to be. Now, there are likely numerous modules for each pof these large vessels undercontract and already building.

Maybe it would be better yto say that they are under construction as opposed to being laid down.

A video of the Kuznetsov with hanger and deck operations. Relatively rare footage of SU-25 Frogfoot operations on the carrier, including take-offs and traps.

Popeye, watch this and tell me what you think of the aircraft handling, particularly in the hanger. Also, the one bad SU-25 trap, and how the firefighters reacted...and when they reacted. IMHO, they should have been already prepared and not had to run inside to get equipment.

The Sov DDG in the heavy seas also shows something. Wow, rough seas and that 8,000 tons vessel is being battered around, while the carrier, although still facing those large waves, runs much more steadily of course at 65,000+ tons.

Some good stuff in this video.

Jeff Head said:

I was told Tripoli was laid down in April 2013. JFK is supposed to be laid down before 2014.

In today's world, with so much modular construction going on, keel laying is not what it used to be. Now, there are likely numerous modules for each pof these large vessels undercontract and already building.

Maybe it would be better yto say that they are under construction as opposed to being laid down.

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Yes I agree in that case we must take the first steel cutting as the laid date thats what is quoted for QE carriers

So I guess USS John F Kennedy is laid

However I didnt find anything on USS Tripoli having first steel cut this year

popeye, watch this and tell me what you think of the aircraft handling, particularly in the hanger. Also, the one bad SU-25 trap, and how the firefighters reacted...and when they reacted. IMHO, they should have been already prepared and not had to run inside to get equipment.

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two words... slow motion. Wow. Those Russian sailors are a lot slower than USN sailors. Perhaps because I saw a lot of mature gents doing jobs 18-20 year olds do in the USN. The way they move aircraft on the hangar in this video shows to me that the Russians have not any or much training moving aircraft. Moving "at the speed of slow"... it's a good thing that they have so few aircraft aboard their lone CV. Honestly.. it looks abysmal. They could not handle the pace of operations on a USN CVN unless they were properly trained.

As for the firefighting crew. Once again slow. Somewhat disorganized. And the firing fight crew should be standing by on the roof ready to act in a moments notice. Those Russian fellas hoses were not charged. How do you fight a fire like that?

When I get home or tomorrow I'll try to find a good video of the USN putting out a fire on the roof. There's one some where in this thread ..but I'm on the Great State of Iowa's dime..gotta go..

.

bd popeye said:

two words... slow motion.

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If you have only 100 sorties in 40 days, it is no problem to move aircraft without truck by hand and very slow at all.

The towing car is connected to the left main gear and not to the nose gear - strange

First time i have really seen the Russians working on thier carrier and compared with the Liaoning which I have seen extensively the Kuznetzsov looks in a very dire condition infact it looks like its falling apart those internal shots show a really bad state of affairs

There's no life on that carrier looks almost depressing situation does not seem very good for Russian carrier, but it is due a re fit and it does give Russia aircraft far from shores so it's better than nothing, a symbolic left over from the Soviet Union which really isn't up to today's carrier standards

Agreed ^^^ It's great that the PLAN is following the USN method of CV operations. Of course with their own variations.

Here's how the USN fights an aircraft fire upon a crash...watch how fast the job is done by the very best..

[video=youtube;kqMk1Mhgy1w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqMk1Mhgy1w[/video]

bd popeye said:

Agreed. Here's how the USN fights an aircraft fire upon a crash...watch how fast the job is done by the very best..

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0:09 Aircraft landing and fire starts
0:15 Aircraft at rest and fire in engines. (Time for crew actions starts)
0:30 First fire retardant sprayed onto aircraft and engine by fire vehicle. (15 seconds since aircraft stop)
0:45 Personnel nearby also spraying retardant. (30 Seconds since aircraft stop)
1:30 Fire going out. (1:15 seconds since aircraft stop)
1:45 Fire flares as fire team advances. (1:30 since aircraft stop)
2:00 Fire completely out. (1:45 since aircraft stop)

Very quick response. The fire truck was there and ready to go on landing, fighting the fire within 15 seconds. The fire crew rolled out the hoses and began spraying, with a full crew on the hoses, within 30 seconds. 45 seconds later, the fire was going out...but they keep spraying because it is hot and, in fact the fire flares back up at 1:45, but they keep advancing and have it out at 2:00, 1 minute and 45 seconds after the aircraft stops.

Dangerous situation. Brave men...an explosion would have seriously endangered them all.