00X/004 future nuclear CATOBAR carrier thread

[Deino]

During Fujian's construction the modules where first put in the drydock separated from eachother, then later joined together. So there is that.

No, they - and even more the almost finished modules - were spaced by a few feet or at least meters and then just moved together ... here you have one rear-section of a vessel on the left (something civil?) and something (right) that is IMO overall IMO too short and not sleek enough to be an aircraft carrier let alone a true CVN super-carrier. But at the moment I'm too busy to check properly ...

When I'm back home I'll try to estimate these dimensions and even more to find the Fujian's footprint and check if this could fit.

 

[para80]

Yes, during Fujians construction the supermodules were assembled and placed in line, in the correct order, and then joined. There was never AFAIK any shuffling around, assembling say an entire stern section ahead of the bow and then moving it around.

The only way I can rationalise it atm is that Dalian needs that dock to also assemble unrelated supermodules for other efforts, while at the same time starting to build Type 004 at drawn out pace. Anyway, time will tell, its early days.

 

[by78]

An updated satellite image of the carrier mockup from two days ago. The progress on the island is visible.

A grainy update on the carrier mockup.

 

[HailingTX20]

Newest picture showing what appears to be additional modules in the storage area.

Credit: @Iml碳酸



There also seem to be rumors that we will see pictures by next month that might make it very clear that this is indeed a CVN.

 

[mack8]

Well i can't make anything out of the picture, but can't wait for the irrefutable proof of a CVN being built to come out. Presumably, nothing new from Jiangnan as of yet?

 

[Deino]

Newest picture showing what appears to be additional modules in the storage area.

Credit: @Iml碳酸

View attachment 150807

There also seem to be rumors that we will see pictures by next month that might make it very clear that this is indeed a CVN.

Here a better one showing the situation as on 29th April!

 

[HailingTX20]

According to some talk on weibo, and as of now it's just unsubstantiated rumors, under the shed facing the dry dock, reactor pressure vessel components have arrived. It might have to do with the uncensored version of this picture, which seems to have been taken in the same time frame as Deino's pic above.

 

[subotai1]

Indeed, just look at the CV-17 in the same dock!

Why building another vessel (left) in front of the carrier (right) and not only the carrier - if it is one - and IMO this what we suppose to be the 004 looks not long enough to be an aircraft carrier! Or is the "carrier" cut in two pieces? But why then not directly in one piece?

IMO it makes no sense ...

It could be that the reactor(s) is going to be installed just aft (to the right) of that break and they may want complete access to it to test components, etc. So by splitting the vessel construction they can enable that as long as possible. We have seen in the past on conventional vessels that access to the engines are some of the last parts covered as well.

 

[Deino]

According to some talk on weibo, and as of now it's just unsubstantiated rumors, under the shed facing the dry dock, reactor pressure vessel components have arrived. It might have to do with the uncensored version of this picture, which seems to have been taken in the same time frame as Deino's pic above.

May we ask, what "some talk on weibo" you refer to or what accounts are discussing including who posted this image, since this could mean anything from being just a fan-boy's post to gain interest or indeed a credible first hint for finally 004 confirmed!?

 

[Ironhide]

May we ask, what "some talk on weibo" you refer to or what accounts are discussing including who posted this image, since this could mean anything from being just a fan-boy's post to gain interest or indeed a credible first hint for finally 004 confirmed!?

I think it would be unwise to mention the specific people here (an open public platform) who are discussing such sensitive information openly long before anything is visible on publicly accessible satellite imagery. This would draw the unnecessary attention from authorities.

My two cents