CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[MwRYum]

Can't the engine be replaced with a domestic one?

According to wikipedia Russia builds them too:


Even if the Russian option isn't available, if it's very useful and you are planning on training lots of pilots, and you have lots of talented engineers, it might be worth spending money on.

Considering how earlier variant(s) were introduced into services at small batches and how hard those outfits clocking flight hours on those airframes, it's more economical and make more sense logistically to bring in whole new variant airframes to unify the entire fleet.

 

[no_name]

In any case, the USN will surpass the PLAN in 2027, when the second of the Gerald Ford class, the “John Kennedy”, will also be incorporated, so there will be a tie in the number of ships, but not in the number of “EMALS” since there will be 8 in the 2 CVNs of the US Navy and 3 and 1 for the “Fujian” and “Sichuan” respectively.

Hard to say if by end of 2027 whether China's own first nuclear carrier will be finished, and whether there will be follow ups for 076.

 

[Temstar]

Can't the engine be replaced with a domestic one?

According to wikipedia Russia builds them too:


Even if the Russian option isn't available, if it's very useful and you are planning on training lots of pilots, and you have lots of talented engineers, it might be worth spending money on.

I'm sure it's doable, but it's still a bunch of busy work for HAIC just so JL-10 has another engine source. It's a question of if that's worth doing vs just going with one of the other five options. Surely SAC wouldn't mind getting that money instead for them to work on a J-15ST, they might even figure out some further Flanker improvement while doing it that's applicable to other Flanker versions too.

 

[Syrida2887]

The PLAN CV-18 Fujian has docked at Sanya Military Port, Hainan, and I think it may hold a service ceremony during or a few days after the National Day holiday in China.

 

[Franklin]

CV-18 Fujian Sea Trials

CV-18 Fujian First Sea Trial (1 may 2024 - 8 may 2024) (8 days)

CV-18 Fujian Second Sea Trial (23 may 2024 - 11 june 2024) (18 days)

CV-18 Fujian Third Sea Trial (3 july 2024 - 28 july 2024) (25 days)

CV-18 Fujian Fourth Sea Trial (3 september 2024 - 21 september 2024) (18 days)

CV-18 Fujian Fifth Sea Trial (18 november 2024 - 3 december 2024) (15 days)

CV-18 Fujian Sixth Sea Trial (28 december 2024 - 7 january 2025) (11 days)

CV-18 Fujian Seventh Sea Trial (18 march 2025 - 1 april 2025) (14 days)

CV-18 Fujian Eighth Sea Trial (21 may 2025 - 27 may 2025) (7 days)

CV-18 Fujian Ninth Sea Trial (10 september 2025 - 30 september 2025) (20 days)

Total 136 days at sea (you could subtract nine days because the Fujian wasn't out at sea for the whole day when it leaves and comes back from sea trials then its is 127 days at sea)

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

The PLAN CV-18 Fujian has docked at Sanya Military Port, Hainan, and I think it may hold a service ceremony during or a few days after the National Day holiday in China.View attachment 161847

Two more photos of Fujian entering Sanya, posted by @Captain小潇 on Weibo.

 

[Akame]

Two more photos of Fujian entering Sanya, posted by @Captain小潇 on Weibo.

View attachment 161856
View attachment 161857

Tomorrow is National Day, maybe it can be put into service tomorrow.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Tomorrow is National Day, maybe it can be put into service tomorrow.

Fujian still hasn't got her pennant number. Commissioning is still some days away, at least.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

SAR satellite image of 17 and 18 together. Via Captain小潇

Iirc both Liaoning and Shandong spent about a month in dock before being commissioned, so expecting a bit of wait would be reasonable

Also, for a ceremony of this significance, key figures (like Xi) will certainly attend. North Korea is hosting a parade on the 10th, and Yankee hinted that Xi will be present at the parade.