CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[Deino]

I expect the Chinese to take the longer and safer route and build an atomic icebreaker first.

This is their way: to move quickly, diligently and with precision in small steps to an ambitious goal and to quickly catch up with the experiences that were denied them in the past.

I fully agree with you but given the various pro & contra arguments esp. with structural details, which I cannot "read" what does the internal details tell us?

 

[Intrepid]

So far it has not been possible to discover the large rooms in which the reactors will be housed.

 

[Sczepan]

the engine Rooms lookes simillar to Shandong Carrier

 

[Yellow Submarine]

So far it has not been possible to discover the large rooms in which the reactors will be housed.

It is my understanding the Type 003 class will be fossil fueled with IEP, with the nuclear powered follow-on designated as the Type 004 class. Some have speculated that gas turbines will be used in Type 003 class, but steam turbines would make more sense from a developmental perspective because Type 001 and 002 are ST powered and so will the 004 class. However, there is a lot that still isn't known to the public, so all info and speculation about the PLAN's future carrier programs should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.

 

[kriss]

It is my understanding the Type 003 class will be fossil fueled with IEP, with the nuclear powered follow-on designated as the Type 004 class. Some have speculated that gas turbines will be used in Type 003 class, but steam turbines would make more sense from a developmental perspective because Type 001 and 002 are ST powered and so will the 004 class. However, there is a lot that still isn't known to the public, so all info and speculation about the PLAN's future carrier programs should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.

I think IEP would be even less likely than nuclear power. The only IEP ship china has built is a 3000 ton coast guard ship which doesn't have nearly as much power consumption like a military one. It's quite unlikely they don't make some IEP destroyer or frigate before going to carrier.

 

[Biscuits]

In order to power the electric catapults on the carrier, it would be quite ambitious to use conventional power, since that would mean building the biggest by far IEPS warship in the world.

The most conservative approach would be using multiple submarine nuclear reactors, not a world's first conventional drive system. That's not to say the latter isn't what China could decide to do, since it would tie in with other projects as well.

If China opted for a submarine nuclear reactor solution, they would already have all technology ready and good experience in it from all the years of using SSNs.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

In order to power the electric catapults on the carrier, it would be quite ambitious to use conventional power, since that would mean building the biggest by far IEPS warship in the world.

The rumours going around a couple of years ago indicated that Admiral Ma's work was aimed at accomplishing precisely that.

 

[by78]

The civilian ship currently occupying the No. 4 dry dock is about to be launched... The image is a notice to relevant parties to coordinate the launch.

 

[kriss]

The civilian ship currently occupying the No. 4 dry dock is about to be launched... The image is a notice to relevant parties to coordinate the launch.

So dry dock 4 would be vacant tomorrow. Is that the only ship in the dry dock now?

 

[by78]

So dry dock 4 would be vacant tomorrow. Is that the only ship in the dry dock now?

According to this recent satellite image, that indeed should be the only ship.