PLAN Catapult Development Thread, News, etc.

[Blitzo]

Again, the same pic posted from the j-15/breaking news/threads...

here, I'd like to add a couple of things:

1: we do not know when this picture was taken.
2: We do not know whether it is the first catapult test, or second, or 100th
3: we do not know which J-15A/T/B prototype it is, i.e.: we don't know if there's only one J-15A/T/B or multiple.
4: it looks like the plane in the photo as it was taken, was only being guided into position, and the green helmet in the white jacket is giving the thumbs up to indicate a positive "lock". In other words, the aircraft is not immediately in the process of being launched in this moment which the photo takes, which is also obvious given the jet blast deflector isn't up.
View attachment 40203

regarding 4: it's possible the jet blast deflector is just out of sight, as we can see what appears to be an edge of it on the right side of the photo

is this the steam cat?

I don't think anyone knows which one is the steam cat or em cat confidently.

However, keep in mind they have almost certainly done many launches from both the em cat and the steam cat as part of the competition. This photo would be of just one launch of many.

 

[Intrepid]

The catapult operator is located between the two catapults. In flight direction the right cat is the EMALS, the left the steam cat. We are looking to the right cat:



The jet blast deflector is errected:

 

[Blitzo]

The catapult operator is located between the two catapults. In flight direction the right cat is the EMALS, the left the steam cat. We are looking to the right cat:

View attachment 40206

The jet blast deflector is errected:

View attachment 40207

I don't think we've ever had positive confirmation for which cat is the EM cat and which is the steam cat

Wait, when you say "we're looking at the right cat" you mean the left one, correct? aka the one whose dark tarmac is thinner than the other one/circled in blue? i.e., the camera is pointing in the direction of the arrow,
(edit, nevermind, I understand "in flight direction" means "looking from the perspective of flight/launch", so we are talking about the same catapult, good)

 

[Intrepid]

Wait, when you say "we're looking at the right cat" you mean the left one, correct? aka the one whose dark tarmac is thinner than the other one/circled in blue? i.e., the camera is pointing in the direction of the arrow,
(edit, nevermind, I understand "in flight direction" means "looking from the perspective of flight/launch", so we are talking about the same catapult, good)

left - right always in flight direction ...




I would better say port or starboard

 

[Blitzo]

left - right always in flight direction ...

View attachment 40210


I would better say port or starboard

yeah I understand that, it just took me a moment to realize what you meant by "flight direction" haha.

 

[Daniel707]

EMALS?

 

[MwRYum]

The catapult version of the J-15 has been rumored for certain period of time, but this is probably the first time that the facility's image at ground level leaked to the general community.

And what about their version of the "bubble" shown here? Something tells me the hatch that got fenced up is the remote station to serve the same purpose as found on USN carriers.

 

[Equation]

View attachment 40212



EMALS?

I doubt it. Looks more like a carrier "canopy" for look out bunker for launching.

Like the one's here aboard a the US aircraft carrier deck.

 

[superdog]

The catapult version of the J-15 has been rumored for certain period of time, but this is probably the first time that the facility's image at ground level leaked to the general community.

And what about their version of the "bubble" shown here? Something tells me the hatch that got fenced up is the remote station to serve the same purpose as found on USN carriers.

I think that's just the access hatch to the bunker control room. It can't be a remote station since the fence opening is towards the camera, not in a way that allows an operator to sit facing the hatch panel. Besides there is no need to fence it if it is just a shallow control pit.

 

[Equation]

left - right always in flight direction ...

View attachment 40210


I would better say port or starboard

Better yet...who goes first?