CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

[zbb]

What are people's latest estimates for when Fujian will be completed and ready for sea trials? Judging from the current progress on Fujian, is it likely that it will be completed around mid-2023?

Shandong took exactly one year to complete after being launched (launched in April 2017 and completed in April 2018). Fujian was launched in June 2022.

Of course, Fujian is a new design, and also larger and more complicated than Shandong. However, Fujian also had a lot more time in dry dock than Shandong. Generally, more time in dry dock means less time in post-launch fitting out.

 

[by78]

Some image updates.

 

[no_name]

Do you think she will go on sea trials with those buildings over the hangar still on her?

 

[Blitzo]

Do you think she will go on sea trials with those buildings over the hangar still on her?

Very unlikely. Those buildings are not over the hangars, they're over the catapults.

And when the ship goes on sea trials, the fitting out of the catapults should essentially be complete, meaning they shouldn't need the buildings/covers.

 

[Intrepid]

Before going out to sea they will turn the ship by 180 degrees to test the catapults.

 

[Blitzo]

Before going out to sea they will turn the ship by 180 degrees to test the catapults.

The first tests might not have a dead load (which would necessitate the catapult/bow to face water for the load to drop into, but could just be launching "blanks" to begin with.

Whether they then turn the ship to face water to launch dead loads and then go for a sea trial, or whether they go for a sea trial and on return moor it in a direction facing the water, who knows.

 

[Nx4eu]

Before going out to sea they will turn the ship by 180 degrees to test the catapults.

Don't you mean they'll turn the ship 360 degrees

 

[plawolf]

Don't you mean they'll turn the ship 360 degrees

Baerbock is that you?

 

[Deino]

Not sure if this is new ??

 

[lcloo]

Not sure if this is new ??

View attachment 108587

I have not seen this photo before, i.e. with two large crane barge "photo bombing" 003.

The main radars seem to be already fitted, and the apratment building in the background confirmed the ship is in its present position.

This should be a new photo shot with a powerful telephoto lens from a long distance away, probably at the opposite side of the river.