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Post by jerryfmcompushaft on Sept 25, 2012 7:58:27 GMT -5
Amid much hoopla, China unveiled a 'new' aircraft carrier as their Navy expands to bolster their claim to islands claimed by other countries in Asia. The fine print, though, says it will be only used as a training vessel as there are no aricraft capable of landing on it.
BEIJING — In a ceremony attended by the country’s top leaders, China put its first aircraft carrier into service on Tuesday, a move intended to signal its growing military might as tensions escalate between Beijing and its neighbors over islands in nearby seas. More |
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Post by boxcar on Sept 25, 2012 12:11:46 GMT -5
I’ll bet it uses a long rubber band for a catapult.
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Post by boxcar on Sept 25, 2012 12:25:54 GMT -5
The carrier is the former Soviet navy's unfinished Varyag, which was towed from Ukraine in 1998 minus its engines, weaponry and navigation systems. Christened the Liaoning after the northeastern province surrounding Dalian, the ship began sea trials in August 2011 following years of refurbishment.
So far the trial runs of the aircraft carrier have been to test the ship's propulsion, communications and navigation systems. But launching and recovering fixed-wing aircraft at sea is a much trickier proposition. It will take years to build the proper aircraft, to train pilots to land in adverse weather on a moving deck, and to develop a proper carrier battle group.
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Post by Swampy on Sept 26, 2012 20:20:10 GMT -5
The carrier is the former Soviet navy's unfinished Varyag, which was towed from Ukraine in 1998 minus its engines, weaponry and navigation systems. Christened the Liaoning after the northeastern province surrounding Dalian, the ship began sea trials in August 2011 following years of refurbishment. Well, that's really going to make the Pentagon quake in fear. |
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Post by griffin on Sept 27, 2012 16:36:50 GMT -5
While it may be awhile before the Chinese got a VTOL aircraft for the carrier, don't discount their ability to think in long terms. If nothing else it could be used as an anti-sub platform using helo's, used as helo platform for carrying and landing troops, etc.
Many navies have started out with small steps, (as an example the early years of the USN), and the Chinese may be using this as a training tool in which to learn tactics, and experience to senior and intermediate naval ranks so they can take the lessons learned if they develop their own CVN, or LHD capacity. The Chinese are known for their ability to copy other companies and nations developments and this may be considered as a learning tool in terms of future carrier or LHD type development.
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Post by Sir John on Sept 27, 2012 16:46:31 GMT -5
The hull of the ex Varyag is probably 20 to 25 years old and she is just entering service.
She will now need an escort fleet of about the same as a USN carrier, maybe 6x DDG/FFG and a couple of Subs.
Agree on the learning process, and they will learn, but the task is enormous as that one CBG will be available on station for about 6 or 8 months of every year at the very most. She will need 2 crews, and a lot of transit time and maintenance.
And I would say she is a sitting duck for the first few years.
JMO
SJ
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Post by jerryfmcompushaft on Sept 27, 2012 16:54:30 GMT -5
The article did make that point - it is one heck of a big unprotected target at this point.
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Post by boxcar on Sept 27, 2012 17:26:53 GMT -5
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Post by boxcar on Sept 27, 2012 17:31:20 GMT -5
ELECTRO MAGNETIC AIR LIFT vs. catapults? Jesus H Christ. The Military has gone insane..
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Post by boxcar on Sept 27, 2012 17:35:06 GMT -5
Next it could be anti-gravity machines.
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Post by Swampy on Sept 27, 2012 17:38:59 GMT -5
I don't care how they launch their aircraft - the flattops are still vulnerable to subs, and I doubt if the Chinese navy can take on US subs.
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