Mysteries surrounding China's 80000t aircraft carriers

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Forum' started by eatup, Jun 20, 2017.

  1. eatup

    eatup

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    Currently, there is only one country outside the USA operating an aircraft carrier with catapult launchers, and that is France. The benefit of a catapult launch (over the traditional ski-jump ramp) is it could get an airplane with higher payload into the air.

    But, in terms of tonnage displacement, only the USA, UK, and China have launched an AC with full displacement of over 60000 tons. (Even though the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sports an advanced launching system, it comes in at only 45000t displacement, far smaller than the Queen Elizabeth class conventional AC of the UK that fully displaces 70000t).


    But all of this is about to change as China seeks to transform its maritime prowess into a world class blue water navy. Having refurbished a Ukrainian AC (55000t) and launched its first home built (65000t) just this late April, both of which are conventional ACs with ski-jump, China is now preparing to build their next vessels (which will have over 80000t full displacement and feature catapult launch tracks).

    The question (and mystery surrounding China's ACs) is, will aircraft carrier(s) #3-5 feature steam catapults (very maintenance-intensive and prone to failure), or the more advanced electromagnetic catapults that are more reliable and simpler, thus easier to fix?



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    BTW, this is the Liaoning AC, a refurbished Ukrainian vessel (and China's 1st AC), and CGI of its China-built cousin, the 2nd (higher tonnage) conventional STOBAR AC:

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    Last edited: Jun 20, 2017
    eatup, Jun 20, 2017
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  2. eatup

    eatup

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    China is preparing to build these aircraft carriers next. They feature catapult launch tracks (3-4 of them / carrier) and have full displacement of over 80000 tons:

    [​IMG]

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    eatup, Jun 20, 2017
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  3. eatup

    eatup

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    Clearer depiction of flight deck:

    [​IMG]
     
    eatup, Jun 21, 2017
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