Geographer
Junior Member
What's the combat record of ski-jump carriers?
PLAN Aircraft Carrier programme...(Closed)
- Thread starter bd popeye
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Well, the UK used Ski-Jump carriers in the Falklands War and they did well. And the Harriers are nt as high performance or capable as the J-15s.
I expect the Chinese, the Russians, the UK, Spain, Italy, etc. have done their homework and will have strategies and policies for their use that will apply them fairly well.
Just depends on what they are up against and the relative combat capabilities and experience the OPFRO might have. As it is...they certainly cannot be taken lightly.
Yin Zhuo commented on Focus Today that China's study shows carrier with CAT is 4 times capable than ski jump
with same tonnage, while US study showing 6 times and French 4.5 times.
As to why the carrier under construction is not a CAT one, he repeated that there is no technical bottleneck for China. One reason could be to take advantage of knowledge acquired with Liaoning, while living conditions aboard 001A will be much better, it'll also be able to carry more fuel.
He also hinted political problem behind the choice made, saying that this is a "sharp" question and the decision was made before 18th party congress, which he doesn't want to elaborate but everyone should be able to understand.
with same tonnage, while US study showing 6 times and French 4.5 times.
As to why the carrier under construction is not a CAT one, he repeated that there is no technical bottleneck for China. One reason could be to take advantage of knowledge acquired with Liaoning, while living conditions aboard 001A will be much better, it'll also be able to carry more fuel.
He also hinted political problem behind the choice made, saying that this is a "sharp" question and the decision was made before 18th party congress, which he doesn't want to elaborate but everyone should be able to understand.
My guess is that the cost savings, the mutual training, logistics, etc. of having two Ski-jump carriers that are very similar, pushed the Chinese into deciding that this was the best and least risky route right now.
By doing that, they will experience the cost savings associated with have two that are essentially the same, they will be able to continue developing their policies and experience,, they will increase their existing capability (doubling it) and they will have time to prepare for and do their first 002 class CATOBAR, catapult carrier right. I expect that first one will be conventionally powered and they will build two of those for the same reasons.
Then, they will move to that same basic design with nuclear propulsion, 003 class.
I think 001A is likely to be launched in 2016 and commissioned in 2019. There are political incentive to commission it before PRC's 70th birthday, and commission 002 in 2022 before Xi steps down; just like how Liaoning was commissioned before Hu stepped down. If technically feasible, why not.
But I don't see any political motivation to launch it prematurely if it ends up slowing down the construction. After all, the Indian one is already launched and with the lead they already have, which one is to be finished earlier is really up to the Indians not Chinese. There is really no political pressure to Chinese top leadership to see it as a race, just like china had no desire to race with India on Mars program. With more capable rocket, china is focusing on returning sample from the Moon in 2017, and Mars will be the next step. Each country has its own technical capability, budget and planning and these two do not rival each other directly.
From planning point of view Japan is a direct concern to PLA Navy but India not so much.
But I don't see any political motivation to launch it prematurely if it ends up slowing down the construction. After all, the Indian one is already launched and with the lead they already have, which one is to be finished earlier is really up to the Indians not Chinese. There is really no political pressure to Chinese top leadership to see it as a race, just like china had no desire to race with India on Mars program. With more capable rocket, china is focusing on returning sample from the Moon in 2017, and Mars will be the next step. Each country has its own technical capability, budget and planning and these two do not rival each other directly.
From planning point of view Japan is a direct concern to PLA Navy but India not so much.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Yes Good but I am basing my projections on the two carriers closet to me and both are ski jump they are the Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales
The gas turbines for the both carriers went in around the same time the front islands went up
For the Prince of Wales the second gas turbine went in after the front island was in place
Engineer
Major
There are two types of carriers being developed. The first is 002, which is China's equivalent to Kitty Hawk class. The one being built in Daling is 001A, which is a copy of the Liaoning. So the official words are true, but so are the breakthrough in EMALS.
Carrier 001A similar but with incremental improvements to Liaoning for logistics and other reasons eg improved accommodation, propulsion etc and a pair of sister ships. One for training, the other operational. 002 & 003 will have added features eg CAT. Then 004 & 005 with EMALS, and maybe nuclear propulsion.
A Chinese dictum "small steps, but quicker pace". Cautious but diligent...
A Chinese dictum "small steps, but quicker pace". Cautious but diligent...
Brumby
Major
Jeff,
Maybe the aim for date is Oct 2016. Do you think it is doable given where they are and probably 3 weeks break for CNY?
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