But why? Why has it always be to be bigger, larger, wider, heavier?? Is this some sort of stupid contest?
CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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But why? Why has it always be to be bigger, larger, wider, heavier?? Is this some sort of stupid contest?
Intrepid
Major
Such considerations like "bigger, larger, wider, heavier" say something about the author, not about the content of his contribution.
It is not a contest for bragging rights. China builds warships that fits its needs and not to please online commentators.
My comments about league do not solely focus on displacement. However let me explain about displacement first. Yes as @nlalyst has stated we have seen that there were designs for optimised Kitty Hawk esque carriers and we see some of those features in the satellite images. Length and beam is comparable to the largest US carriers but the beam is reached much further away from the bow making them less volume heavy and probably having slightly less displacement.
So while it may not reach full Nimitz/Ford displacement, I could see it reaching 90kt if not more at full load which in my opinion constitutes it being in the same league as US carriers even if it doesn't reach a full 100kt. I would still say that even if the carrier is less bulky than US carriers the described new hull design type, longer and similar beam makes them at least appear similarily as big.
While displacement is a good metric to gauge aircraft carrier capability I would suggest one that is far more important. That is the flight deck. In general it is reasonable that the flight deck gets larger the larger the carrier gets however as the comparison between Nimitz and Ford yields the flight deck can increase with a small variation in displacement. Now as the 003 has a different shape configuration compared to standard US carriers quantifiying the flight deck is a little harder. However the comparable/greater length imo suggests a very large flight deck. At the point where the width reaches comparable values I suggest the flight deck width is similar as well so overall due to the length we can observe I expect a flight deck most comparable to Ford and Nimitz and less to Kitty Hawk, which makes sense as the Kitty Hawk features a less efficient flight deck
My comments about league do not solely focus on displacement. However let me explain about displacement first. Yes as @nlalyst has stated we have seen that there were designs for optimised Kitty Hawk esque carriers and we see some of those features in the satellite images. Length and beam is comparable to the largest US carriers but the beam is reached much further away from the bow making them less volume heavy and probably having slightly less displacement.
So while it may not reach full Nimitz/Ford displacement, I could see it reaching 90kt if not more at full load which in my opinion constitutes it being in the same league as US carriers even if it doesn't reach a full 100kt. I would still say that even if the carrier is less bulky than US carriers the described new hull design type, longer and similar beam makes them at least appear similarily as big.
While displacement is a good metric to gauge aircraft carrier capability I would suggest one that is far more important. That is the flight deck. In general it is reasonable that the flight deck gets larger the larger the carrier gets however as the comparison between Nimitz and Ford yields the flight deck can increase with a small variation in displacement. Now as the 003 has a different shape configuration compared to standard US carriers quantifiying the flight deck is a little harder. However the comparable/greater length imo suggests a very large flight deck. At the point where the width reaches comparable values I suggest the flight deck width is similar as well so overall due to the length we can observe I expect a flight deck most comparable to Ford and Nimitz and less to Kitty Hawk, which makes sense as the Kitty Hawk features a less efficient flight deck
Intrepid
Major
How many aircraft elevators and catapults do you expect? So far there have been two elevators on the starboard side and three catapults (two on the forecastle and one on the angled deck).
We have not seen much about elevators and catapults so far so on my part it is pure speculation but this is 3/4 for either. I don't think they would go 3 for one and 4 for the other so it is either 3/3 elevators/catapults or 4/4 elevators/catapults. So I will say 3 elevators and 3 catapults so I can be pleasantly surprised though 4/4 also has a good chance although lower than that of 3/3.
Intrepid
Major
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It is not like there has been a total blackout regarding catapults and elevators. But afaik the configuration with regard to catapult and elevator numbers is still somewhat uncertain unlike for example propulsion and EMAL system.
With regard to the picture it is a concept art that is a couple years old so it is possible there have been changes or that it is only a symbolic picture. But since this is if I recall correctly from a CSIC conference it has some significance but there was never explanation of what the purpose of the image was so idk.
With regard to the picture it is a concept art that is a couple years old so it is possible there have been changes or that it is only a symbolic picture. But since this is if I recall correctly from a CSIC conference it has some significance but there was never explanation of what the purpose of the image was so idk.
Intrepid
Major
think the layout has been fixed for more than 10 years. In the past, such small indiscretions were always quite appropriate. And the other signs, such as the electronic test laboratory in Wuhan, are consistent with this.
It could now be three catapults with EMALS, while originally only two steam catapults were planned. EMALS may weigh less or the heavy components such as the flywheels are located deep down in the ship.
It could now be three catapults with EMALS, while originally only two steam catapults were planned. EMALS may weigh less or the heavy components such as the flywheels are located deep down in the ship.