CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Apparently, the Fuijan and the Shandong are leaving port together. Maybe to avoid the coming typhoon:
They both have left the base. Is these another sea trial.
Probably a chance for a joint exercise between the two CVs to further train the crew and operations, while simultaneously avoiding an incoming typhoon that is heading for southern China.
Not sure if from yesterday.
Not likely.
Shandong is an operational STO platform.
Fujian is a CAT platform that has not been commisioned, let alone achieved IOC.
J-15 cannot take off from a CAT.
J-15T pilots are not trained for Ski ramps.
So cross-decking exercise cannot happen.
KJ-500 are not operational yet. So cannot lead air wing exercises
I have no idea of the J-15T pilots work up but I doubt they are ready to participate in exercises led by Shandong either.
So no air wing joint exercises either.
Beyond that, what other joint exercise can they meaningfully participate in? Sailing as a combined CSG+ formation?
Also, pulling out a jointEx on such short notice, even if you have a drawer plan ready, without a workup period typically never happens.
Considering that J-15Ts are part of CV-17 airgroup, the question is actually the other way around, how many are qualified for EMALS. I suspect many are, so hopefully we can see some crossdecking at least. I would think J-15T pilots destined for CV-18 will first hone their skills on CV-16/17.
Fair point. I did wonder what proportion of Fujian airwings is formed up from experienced pilots from Liaoning/Shandong and how many are clean slate Naval aviators.
But a current Liaoning/Shandong pilot that is EMCAT qualified and current has got to be rare?
Any high skill or high risk activity that is not a "daily" skill in peacetime will always require refresher before live execution. This can be as simple as a dry run to a incremental lead up refresher/training.
Given that any land facility for training EMCAT launch and actual EMCAT on Fujian will be dedicated to bringing Fujian air wing up to speed, I highly doubt that Liaoning and Shandong are that comfortably ready to crossdeck to Fujian on short notice while under peacetime parameters.
lcloo
Major
Crossdeck exercises is possible with J15T. We already have seen J15T onboard Shandong months ago. It is not uncommon for Chinese pilots to be certified for flying different type of aircraft, as this had been in reported news.
Pilots selected for certification on J15T traning on Shandong while Fujian was still docked in JNCX shipyard is not illogical.
However, crossdeck exercise in this moment is speculative as there is no official statement, more likely they are moving out to open sea to avoid the coming typhoon. Any aircraft flying within the reach of a typhoon is simply asking for trouble.
Typhoon Matmo will hit Hainan island tomorrow.
Pilots selected for certification on J15T traning on Shandong while Fujian was still docked in JNCX shipyard is not illogical.
However, crossdeck exercise in this moment is speculative as there is no official statement, more likely they are moving out to open sea to avoid the coming typhoon. Any aircraft flying within the reach of a typhoon is simply asking for trouble.
Typhoon Matmo will hit Hainan island tomorrow.
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