CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[Blitzo]

I never thought it would take so much time to install the EMALS. They need to figure out some way to speed that part of the construction up on the next ship.

I think you need to revise your expectations and look at how long it takes other carriers to do work.

First, how do you know who much progress in fitting out the EM catapults itself has progressed? We cannot see anything after all -- the work is all done under the covers.
Second, how long do you think it takes for a ship of this size and complexity to complete its fitting out overall?


CV-17 Shandong as a smaller, simpler STOBAR carrier was launched in April 2017 and went on its first sea trial in May 2018, needing over one year of fitting out between launch and first sea trial.
CV-18 Fujian, is a bigger, newer and more complex carrier with catapults, and it was launched in June 2022 this year. At minimum, we should have expected a year and a half years between launch and first sea trial -- more realistically two years of sea trials. So we shouldn't expect CV-18 to go on its first sea trial before January 2024 to June 2024 at the earliest.

That is all very normal for carriers, and the time taken for other carriers is the same if not longer.

 

[taxiya]

I never thought it would take so much time to install the EMALS. They need to figure out some way to speed that part of the construction up on the next ship.

Looking through google earth over PLAN cat test site in Liao Ning, it seems the installation of the catapults takes anywhere from 3 months to 9 months by counting the max and min time of the covers on the site.

Even if they have finished all the installation work, they don't need to remove the cover until they sail out. It is like you renovating your house, you would keep your new furniture covered while you are painting your walls.

 

[zbb]

CV-17 Shandong as a smaller, simpler STOBAR carrier was launched in April 2017 and went on its first sea trial in May 2018, needing over one year of fitting out between launch and first sea trial.
CV-18 Fujian, is a bigger, newer and more complex carrier with catapults, and it was launched in June 2022 this year. At minimum, we should have expected a year and a half years between launch and first sea trial -- more realistically two years of sea trials. So we shouldn't expect CV-18 to go on its first sea trial before January 2024 to June 2024 at the earliest.

That is all very normal for carriers, and the time taken for other carriers is the same if not longer.

We can also use the USS Ford for comparison. Ford was launched in October 2013 and started sea trials in April 2017, a gap of three and a half years between launch and sea trials.

 

[weig2000]

We can also use the USS Ford for comparison. Ford was launched in October 2013 and started sea trials in April 2017, a gap of three and a half years between launch and sea trials.

Probably not a good idea to do comparison with Ford for now. Ford has had more fundamental issues and that's why it has struggled to start sea trials. If Fujian approaches Ford in fitting-out time, then we have serious issue potentially.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

We can also use the USS Ford for comparison. Ford was launched in October 2013 and started sea trials in April 2017, a gap of three and a half years between launch and sea trials.

Ford is a special case as her EMALS was plagued with problems, and it took them a lot of time to troubleshoot. Unless Fujian has the same problems with Ford, I don't think Fujian would suffer the same delays as Ford.

IMO, John F Kennedy or even Enterprise would be a better metric comparison for Ford.

 

[Deino]

Probably not a good idea to do comparison with Ford for now. Ford has had more fundamental issues and that's why it has struggled to start sea trials. If Fujian approaches Ford in fitting-out time, then we have serious issue potentially.

Ford is a special case as her EMALS was plagued with problems, and it took them a lot of time to troubleshoot. Unless Fujian has the same problems with Ford, I don't think Fujian would suffer the same delays as Ford.

IMO, John F Kennedy or even Enterprise would be a better metric comparison for Ford.

Agreed, that a direct comparison between both is not useful, but to expect the Fujian "should" also be ready after a few months and try to conclude "there are delays and as such issues" is a plain wrong conclusion. As such I totally agree with an estimated "fitting-out" phase of 18-24 months and don't expect the Fujian to start sea-trials before QI or QII 2024.

 

[by78]

Some newly released old images of Fujian's launch.

 

[loc down]

Some newly released old images of Fujian's launch.

Is it me or does it look like there’s imprints of more windows to be cut out on the bridge?

 

[Intrepid]

... does it look like there’s imprints of more windows to be cut out on the bridge?

We are increasingly living in digital twin worlds, so windows are no longer a requirement. Perhaps the Chinese realized this during the planning and construction process?

 

[defenceman]

Hi by virtue of Fujian getting active I believe we can see J35 too by end of 2024/ or mid of 2025
thank you