CV-17 Shandong (002 carrier) Thread I ...News, Views and operations
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But why? So that more sailors or aviators can be trained simultaniously?
Intrepid
Major
The training takes place on the aircraft carriers. The experience gained is evaluated on the institute ships and the training programs are further developed. I think the blueprints of the new aircraft carriers will also be changed - which is why it takes more time to build the third aircraft carrier.
In this way, the Chinese manage to create a wealth of experience in a very structured way in a few years, where other countries need generations for.
One has to wonder how similar the third carrier will be to Kutz class and how useful this optimising projects approach is for the purposes of expediting third carrier's operational familiarity when it nears operational service. Rumoured CATOBAR carrier with a different set of onboard aircraft. Though I don't doubt the third carrier will be shaped by J-15 and CV-1 experiences. I just think there's a limit to how much "generational skipping" can be offered by condensing the learning curve.
Intrepid
Major
We will see. The next five years will be very interesting. If J-15 and carriers #16 and #17 have not much to do with the third carrier ... that would explain why there is less activity on both STOBAR carriers. But I don't think so. I think there is lots of stuff to learn even for use on future CATOBAR-carriers. Esspecially when the two carriers will depart for longer and far away reaching trips with escorts and supply ships.
lcloo
Captain
It did sailed. It sailed from Dalian in North China to Hainan in South China, then got its official commissioning, and then sailed up North again to Dalian. Thereafter all works stopped for two weeks long Chinese New Year Holidays, and enforced shut down on works that lasted around 2 months due to COVID-19 spreads..
The work on shakedown works resumed less than weeks ago, so it could take weeks or even months before the next sailing as China is still on the path of returning to the state of normalcy.
I didn't believe in longer and far away trips with #16 (and #17) any moore.
Years ago (2016/2017) I suspected #16 to become part of anty piracy Mission, sailing to Somalia when Combat ready … also visiting Pakistan and so on, but nothing happened. And indeed, there is no support by tankers, AEW (AWACS) and ASW aircrafts (without the J-15 itself and Helos) from carrier air-wing. Both STOBAR carriers need land based support for long distances operations.
In case of ware, they could be used inside the Island chain (including Guam), and that was the Operation aerea, we have seen by #16 in the last years, also trained with land based .
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Intrepid
Major
I am still waiting to see far away trips. May be they are delayed for two years or so because of Covid-19. I am watching Liaoning since 2005, two years isn't a long time.
If Chinese Navy will not send them on far away patrols then there's no sense to have carriers at all. If all where they will sail is from Dalian to Sanya and back, then you have a glorified Coast Guard, not blue water navy. And then you don't need carriers, all what's necessary coastal aviation can do easier and cheaper.
I know that Type 001/2 have some inherent problems because of STOBAR, but that doesen't mean that patrol/cruise with an airgroup of say 12 J-15, 3-4 AEW helicopters, 2-3 SAR helicopters and 3-4 ASW helicopters would be impossible. At least say, to strech legs a little bit, to gain a little bit of experience, to sail up to say Pakistan, maybe visit Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and other friendly countries. And China is at peace, so, 1-2 destroyers and 2 frigates as escort is enough ( I presume that they can spare this number out of 30+ modern frigates and 20 modern destroyers ), one SSN, one fast tanker and maybe one or two Type 903 to support them on the way by replenishing bays of fast tanker from time to time.
Intrepid
Major
It will happen that way, I'm sure.
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