In fact based on these images and the fact, that the catapults are all three still under construction as well as the arresting gears, I don't expect a "launch" anytime soon ... at least not before June/July.
CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
In fact based on these images and the fact, that the catapults are all three still under construction as well as the arresting gears, I don't expect a "launch" anytime soon ... at least not before June/July.
I think that entirely depends on whether we expect the catapults and the arresting gear to be structurally finished before launch...
For the world's carriers, flight subsystems like catapults and arresting gear are installed post launch, as part of the fitting out process.
That includes the launch for CV-17 Shandong, which did not have its arresting gear installed prior to launch, and similarly had them installed as part of fitting out.
Agreed ... but the Shandong had the arresting gears not installed before launch?
Shandong -- like most other carriers in the world -- did not have its arresting gear installed prior to launch.
See these pics of Shandong when it was launched -- no arresting gear
As I wrote -- flight related subsystems, like catapults, and arresting gear, are generally not installed on a carrier before they are launched. Instead, they are installed on the ship during fitting out.
An easier way to see it, is to see catapults and arresting gear similar to radars and weapons. Just like how radars and weapons are not properly installed on a ship prior to launch, catapults and arresting gear aren't done so either.
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So for 003, there probably isn't a relationship between current work on its catapults and/or arresting gear to when the ship will be launched.
Chances are, when 003 is launched, there will still be substantial work to do on its catapults and/or arresting gear to finish installing them, because that is generally the norm for carriers around the world
Never installed a catapult before, but I am assuming the alignment tolerances on those things would be pretty tight. Maybe tighter than pumps that are measured in thou. (0.001 inch). Won't get away with shims so would be lots of disassembly for machining of the legs.
I wonder if its taken extra long for the alignment/machining all the "legs" to achieve the level that is extending the launch time? Alignment is one area where it can throw the schedule quite a bit. Thermal expansion and settlement of steel really is a bitch, and I doubt they would have done any before to have data to make the install easier. (The test ones on concrete ones don't count cause properties is completely different)
I wonder if its taken extra long for the alignment/machining all the "legs" to achieve the level that is extending the launch time? Alignment is one area where it can throw the schedule quite a bit. Thermal expansion and settlement of steel really is a bitch, and I doubt they would have done any before to have data to make the install easier. (The test ones on concrete ones don't count cause properties is completely different)
I think what you described is probably the reason why they built a temporary house above the catapult. The temperature of the room must be tightly controlled. This is not a rocket science technology.
You said the 'norm' for other navies, I presume. Does it mean it occupies too much dry-dock time and hence expensive? But in dry-dock, the carrier does not roll or pitch and all the available materiel, EM cats and arresting gear are at hand. Do you believe 003 will fit these gears when it is launched?Shandong -- like most other carriers in the world -- did not have its arresting gear installed prior to launch.
See these pics of Shandong when it was launched -- no arresting gear
As I wrote -- flight related subsystems, like catapults, and arresting gear, are generally not installed on a carrier before they are launched. Instead, they are installed on the ship during fitting out.
An easier way to see it, is to see catapults and arresting gear similar to radars and weapons. Just like how radars and weapons are not properly installed on a ship prior to launch, catapults and arresting gear aren't done so either.
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So for 003, there probably isn't a relationship between current work on its catapults and/or arresting gear to when the ship will be launched.
Chances are, when 003 is launched, there will still be substantial work to do on its catapults and/or arresting gear to finish installing them, because that is generally the norm for carriers around the world
I meant for other carriers in general -- past/recent Chinese carriers (basically just CV-17 Shandong) and of course the many carriers built by other navies that have subsystems such as arresting gear or catapults.
As for building ships -- whether they're carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, or civilian ships -- when you "launch" a ship, it is generally never "fully complete". There is virtually always substantial work left to do.
Usually that work is the major subsystems on the ship -- radars, combat systems, certain weapons systems, internals, and yes, for carriers that includes things like catapults and arresting gear. Sometimes, a ship may even be structurally incomplete when they are launched, with substantial topside structures to be emplaced afterwards (masts, sometimes bridge superstructures).
There are a few reasons why those major subsystems (and sometimes, major topside structures) are fitted out post launch, but one of the biggest is because drydock space is often at a premium.
A ship should only be in drydock if there is specific work that requires it to stay in drydock for. If a ship doesn't have work that needs a drydock, then it should be launched, so that the drydock can be used for more important jobs that actually needs the drydock (like, for example, building an entirely new ship).
And yes, fitting out a ship with systems such as catapults and arresting gear can absolutely done after the ship is launched and in the water -- in fact, as I wrote in the last few posts, it is normal for carriers to have catapults and arresting gear finished only after they are launched.
If 003 has its catapults and arresting gear completed while it is in drydock prior to launch, that would make it the exception rather than the norm.
I agree, the Chinese have impressed with the systematic and efficient way they have built up their Navy, 003 will be launched when ready and not before. Lets remember the fiasco of the USN Ford and the fact that years after "entering service" she is still on "trials". Don't need to copy that, right?