broadsword
Brigadier
I am sure they have taken this sort of problem into consideration and probably have incorporated a battery pack albeit a far smaller one.
News on China's scientific and technological development.
- Thread starter Quickie
- Start date
well there is the difference, china's project is commercial while the US is mostly looking at its use in the military sphere.
personally i think a platform of this size is too large and clumsy that it diminishes the advantage of an aircraft carrier. its potential in the tourism industry however is significant.
solarz
Brigadier
I don't understand. The article seems to be saying that the bus can recharge itself while passengers are getting on or off, but where would the power source come from?
solarz
Brigadier
The pictures posted seems to be less about tourism than cargo transportation. Perhaps it's designed as an interface between cargo ships and planes? Maybe it's meant to allow Chinese cargo ships to bypass foreign ports and save money on taxes?
shen
Senior Member
solarz
Brigadier
Ah, I see. Very ingenious! Thanks for the video!
Skywatcher
Captain
It'd be a good platform to install a port (in a relatively short amount of time) for humanitarian relief, as you could ship the aid out to the 'floating island', and then fly it out or ship it onto smaller ships for delivery to shore. It could do the same logistical role for an amphibious landing that didn't have access to ports.
A floating island would also be a good way to launch a very large amphibious operation from after you take control of the air and sea (assuming that the other guy doesn't have AShMs, of course).
solarz
Brigadier
Agreed, a mobile port that can be where it's needed would be very useful both commercially and militarily.
It could even be quite useful in the SCS, providing an additional airstrip while waiting for further land reclamation to be completed.
One concern, however, is how well this kind of platform can weather strong storms. I've read that carriers turn to face large waves head on so as to avoid being tipped over. Would such a platform have this kind of mobility?
I am afraid any direction that they "faced" in a strong storm would be subjected to very difficult, if not dangerous conditions.
They would have to be built to withstand those condition at all points with their submersible piers...all of them being like those on the large oil/gas platforms in places like the North Sea.