I suppose developing an 001A that is inherently modular and upgradable would be sensible. In previous years I had suggested making their first indigenous carrier built with a removable ski jump with space to install catapults in a similar vein.
But all this adds time, complexity, cost and risk, and I'm not sure if PLAN are willing to tolerate all that on their first indigenous flat top.
Now, my previous idea regarding 001A and 002 is trying to reconcile the current consensus which is that 001A will "only" be a modified liaoning with no catapults, while 002 is very likely to have catapults.
If we have reliable rumours suggesting 001A will have catapults of some kind then that would change my projection quite a bit.
What 001A turns out to be will tell us how much risk the PLAN are willing to take in fielding their carrier related technologies, as well as how quickly the PLAN wants to field particular capabilities, given a less advanced and thus less risky carrier will likely achieve operational status in a shorter time than a more advanced and higher risk carrier, while also having some limits in capability due to its design.
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Therefore if 001A is really a modified liaoning, that tells me PLAN are seeking to train up crews and develop core capabilities and doctrines with their personnel and equipment for a slightly earlier time frame, at the expense of some disadvantages of lacking cats, such as the ability to launch fixed wing AEWC and more limited fighter TOW launch conditions. That would put them in a position to have a bigger number of experienced crew to man and adjust to the more advanced 002 when it arrives, while also having more capability for the short term period prior to 002 reaching operation -- similar to what latenlazy said.
If 001A is a more advanced ship with catapults and more substantial advancements, that tells me PLAN are willing to sacrifice short term capability and possibly experienced crew number, so as to achieve more advanced capabilities slightly earlier than the prior scenario, and to possibly have 001A's crew more accustomed with 002's systems such as catapults when 002 arrives. A more advanced 001A with some similar subsystems to 002 may also mean the subsystems on 002 will be more mature when the ship is fielded. But all this comes at the expense of delayed operational status for a more advanced 001A versus the less advanced 001A option.
But all this adds time, complexity, cost and risk, and I'm not sure if PLAN are willing to tolerate all that on their first indigenous flat top.
Now, my previous idea regarding 001A and 002 is trying to reconcile the current consensus which is that 001A will "only" be a modified liaoning with no catapults, while 002 is very likely to have catapults.
If we have reliable rumours suggesting 001A will have catapults of some kind then that would change my projection quite a bit.
What 001A turns out to be will tell us how much risk the PLAN are willing to take in fielding their carrier related technologies, as well as how quickly the PLAN wants to field particular capabilities, given a less advanced and thus less risky carrier will likely achieve operational status in a shorter time than a more advanced and higher risk carrier, while also having some limits in capability due to its design.
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Therefore if 001A is really a modified liaoning, that tells me PLAN are seeking to train up crews and develop core capabilities and doctrines with their personnel and equipment for a slightly earlier time frame, at the expense of some disadvantages of lacking cats, such as the ability to launch fixed wing AEWC and more limited fighter TOW launch conditions. That would put them in a position to have a bigger number of experienced crew to man and adjust to the more advanced 002 when it arrives, while also having more capability for the short term period prior to 002 reaching operation -- similar to what latenlazy said.
If 001A is a more advanced ship with catapults and more substantial advancements, that tells me PLAN are willing to sacrifice short term capability and possibly experienced crew number, so as to achieve more advanced capabilities slightly earlier than the prior scenario, and to possibly have 001A's crew more accustomed with 002's systems such as catapults when 002 arrives. A more advanced 001A with some similar subsystems to 002 may also mean the subsystems on 002 will be more mature when the ship is fielded. But all this comes at the expense of delayed operational status for a more advanced 001A versus the less advanced 001A option.