I would expect 4-12 LRIP birds to be trapped as the next voyage or two begins, given all the "blowback" on this forum and others about the "yellow birds", it wouldn't surprise me to see the plan blow some grey-pigment onto the yellow birds and even change their numbers in the process, as the PLANAF is very much aware of public comments. I like the yellow birds, I think they are reflective of where we are in this process, and I have cautioned since very early on, that the PLAN would NOT ramp up to the frenetic pace of the USN, in fact the USN is "throttling back", due to sequestration and the inevitable budget cuts, as Obamacare continues to "throttle back" the private sector economy. So, the PLAN is being very cautious with their only operable aircraft carrier, as master delft notes the construction of indigenous 1 and 2 could be quicker than we expect, but I continue to be "aware" that as the US economy is in "free-fall", as inflation strangles the dollar, it takes more and more to buy less and less???
Now having made these observations, I have been very pleased to see the progress and observe the initial sea quals of the carrier wing, it all went off without a hitch, and it has occurred at a pace that gives them the time to fly the missions, and then to assess where they want to "go" next, which has likely been scripted for quite some time. But make no mistake, this is all "expensive", and until at least one of the indigenous carriers puts to sea, the Liaoning is "precious metal", she is worth more "whole" and tied up at the dock, than attempting to "measure up" and having someone make a mistake that leaves her "wounded" and "hurt".
