00X/004 future nuclear CATOBAR carrier thread

weig2000

Captain
View attachment 87634
according to pop3, the forth carrier will be nuclear

I would normally treat this kind of rumors as fanboy dream, but this is from pop3 and today is PLA Navy Day ...

It is astonishing if true. I always thought they would build at least another CATOBAR before starting on a nuclear-powered one, especially given the size of 003 and the fact that it is EMALS. True, he did not say the timing of 004, but if it's going to be too far down the road, it makes a lot of sense to build another 003.

In any case, this would indicate both the rapid progress in related carrier technologies (particularly the nuclear reactor) and China's carrier ambition. We'll have to see if there is really any truth to it or if pop3 is just getting carried-away on the Navy Day.
 

Maikeru

Captain
Registered Member
I would normally treat this kind of rumors as fanboy dream, but this is from pop3 and today is PLA Navy Day ...

It is astonishing if true. I always thought they would build at least another CATOBAR before starting on a nuclear-powered one, especially given the size of 003 and the fact that it is EMALS. True, he did not say the timing of 004, but if it's going to be too far down the road, it makes a lot of sense to build another 003.

In any case, this would indicate both the rapid progress in related carrier technologies (particularly the nuclear reactor) and China's carrier ambition. We'll have to see if there is really any truth to it or if pop3 is just getting carried-away on the Navy Day.
The fact (if proven) that 004 is nuclear does not preclude that more than one 003 will be built.
 

weig2000

Captain
If the next Chinese aircraft carrier gets nuclear power, it is unlikely that a new aircraft carrier will enter service for many years.

That would mean that the Chinese would take a lot of time to gain experience with their CATOBAR air wing.

Precisely. While a lot of people just pay attention to the technology side of the development, I always think the operational and experience side are equally - in fact, more so now that they've gotten to the 003 level technology - important. That's why even if the nuclear-powered one is almost ready, I would still think they should build at least another Type 003. I have been very curious when we would see the signs of another 003, in Dalian, say.
 

Intrepid

Major
I'm also counting on the construction of another conventional aircraft carrier.

But even if 003 remains a loner, the operational and experience side could still be developed well.
 

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
If the next Chinese aircraft carrier gets nuclear power, it is unlikely that a new aircraft carrier will enter service for many years.

That would mean that the Chinese would take a lot of time to gain experience with their CATOBAR air wing.

Alternatively, if the next carrier is nuclear and takes too long to arrive, you'd think it would make more sense to build another 003 pattern carrier in the interim.

I suppose it depends on what we think "many years" means LOL
 

Richard Santos

Captain
Registered Member
If the next Chinese aircraft carrier gets nuclear power, it is unlikely that a new aircraft carrier will enter service for many years.

That would mean that the Chinese would take a lot of time to gain experience with their CATOBAR air wing.
I suspect a nuclear carrier will not take appreciably longer for china to build then a conventional one. The timing of the next Chinese carrier will not be severely constrained by the decision regarding the prime mover, but by when to start. The timing of when to start is probably dictated by desire to time the construction of next carrier so it would still be early enough in its construction to readily accept significant design changes when some practical experience with operating the 003 has been gained. So my guess is the next chinese big deck carrier will be timed to be ball park 2-3 years away from completion when 003 begins trial flight operation.
 
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siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Alternatively, if the next carrier is nuclear and takes too long to arrive, you'd think it would make more sense to build another 003 pattern carrier in the interim.

I suppose it depends on what we think "many years" means LOL

At the very least they need to test the reactor on a non-carrier ship first, like an icebreaker or something.
 
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