China’s Aircraft Carrier Trouble—Spewing Steam and Losing Power

War is Boring ^ | Oct 19, 2014 | Robert Beckhusen

[Captain Rhino]

I was wondering primarily because GT/diesel electric combinations are being used for the new class of LHDs now being built (Wasp class and America class). But, reflecting on what you wrote, they are not quite half the tonnage as Nimitz-class carriers and do not have the same launch and high speed transit requirements.

Thanks for taking time to answer my questions.

[GingisK]

If the Chicoms want a carrier they can trust, they'll have to build their own...

Given the weird political climate we have right now, I'm sure we would be happy to build them a few. After all, we've given them way too much already; so, why stop now? (Other than good sense, of course.)

[Jeff Head]

I’ve seen the reports and had the original Chinese report translated.

Apparently thy had a low pressure steam line break and the crew was able to make repairs pretty quickly.

The vessel did not and is not returning to port. It’s been out on exercises for the last 50 days. The incident apparently was fairly minor and the vessel was able to continue on with its exercises.

It’s a large, conventionally powered aircraft carrier. The machinery spaces are complex. Their snipes, like our own used to be, are trained to maintain it and effect repairs. That’s what they did.

I do not take this event as a particularly bad or negative event for their program. More like their crew repairing a minor failure while at sea. This kind of thing happens.

If it had been truly serious in any way, they would have returned to port. Its the flagship of their navy.

[Joe Brower]

Thanks, Jeff. I always find your posts about this topic very educational.

The world is not sitting still simply because we are. In fact, it is inspired to move faster.

[reed13k]

Nah I love to talk about this stuff. GT/D has likely come a long way since I was around in the mid-90s, but I do have some concerns for the LHDs going that route. Likely be ok though, just an old bias on my part likely.