Posted on 08/20/2017 6:59:42 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
TYPE 002 CARRIER
This fan-made computer-generated image of the Type 002 by artist Nishikasaizoukan shows the craft's key features like catapults, J-15B fighters, and fixed-wing airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
Xigexi
Though China launched its much-ballyhooed Type 001A aircraft carrier just a few months ago, the People's Liberation Army Navy is hardly resting on its laurels, instead making steady progress on technology for its second home-built carrier, the Type 002.
The Type 002 carrier, development for which is slated to wrap in 2020 or 2021, will be a 70,000-ton aircraft carrier with catapults designed to launch heavier aircraft.
And giant catapults aren't the only new tech in development. Pictured above, the CGT-60F is a heavy duty, F-class gas turbine (which typically have a power output of 170-230 megawatts) designed by Tsinghua University's Gas Turbine Research Center with the Dongfang Electric Group and Shanghai Electric Group. It's completely domestic design that exceeded expectations for cooling and temperature distribution—vital factors for large turbines. As such, the state-run China Daily suggested that the CGT-60F would be a suitable candidate to power a large warship, such as an aircraft carrier.
TYPE 002 WUHAN
The carrier mockup at Wuhan, used for testing shipboard electronic systems like radars and comms, has been modified with multiple AESA radars.
Da Feng Cao
Additionally, the aircraft carrier mockup at Wuhan (which also hosted the electromagnetic test rig for the Type 055 destroyer) is modifying its island to include new electronic systems.
Previously modeled after the Liaoning's older island, the changes include the installation of an additional bridge deck, and new, flat paneled Type 346x series AESA radars—just like the Type 001A carrier, but with smaller AESA radars above the Type 346s.
The Type 002's island would likely have a similar multi-paneled radar system found on the Type 055 DDG's integrated mast. Those smaller AESA radars could be used for targeting and fire control, allowing the Type 002 to datalink with missiles launched from aircraft and other ships, extending their range.
J-15B
The J-15B, seen on a catapult prior to launch at the Huangdicun naval air base in Liaoning. The Huangdicun base is testing both steam and EMALS catapults for installation on the Type 002 aircraft carrier.
Chinese Internet
China has also continued catapult testing at the Huangdicun. Obsessives may recall that earlier this summer, China launched the catapult-capable J-15T from the land-based electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), as well as debuted new steam catapults.
By putting both the J-15T and catapult through extensive testing, the pilots and aircrew of the Type 002 carrier will be able to move quickly toward complex operations when launched. What's more, a J-15 (serial number "111") was spotted in early July 2017 with a inflight refueling pod, slung under the fuselage centerline, between the engine nacelles. This kind of refueling would expand the range and flight times of current fighters.
Additionally, the second prototype J-31 stealth fighter has made additional flights this summer, the most recent on July 25. This burst of activity gives credence to reports that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-31's builders, is planning to create a third J-31 prototype with the capability to operate on catapult-equipped aircraft carriers.
The J-31, while smaller than the J-20 stealth fighter, has improved stealth and avionics capability on its second prototype. Plus, production versions are planned to be equipped with faster WS-17 engines, which could allow for supersonic flight without fuel-thirsty afterburners. Those putative J-31 fighters could prove to be stiff competitors in air combat with F-35C fighters of the U.S. Navy.
TYPE 003
This display at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution looks even further into the future. Here you can spot speculative features like catapults, J-20 fighters, and stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The nuclear-powered Type 003 supercarrier likely won't enter service until after 2030.
Oedo Soldier
Looking beyond the Type 002, the Type 003 aircraft carrier could be a true supercarrier, with nuclear power and a 90,000-ton displacement. If official displays in China's military museum are any indication, the Type 003 would come with futuristic aircraft like stealthy drone bombers and sixth-generation fighters. It could also have enough electricity to power Chinese lasers and railguns currently under development.
Great geometric copy-cats. So are the Indians. Looks like their metallurgy and electronics are coming along as well.
Funny, their drones look just like ours.
No imagination and just in time for the end of the carrier era?
China have a great model. To bad it’s a generation to late. Reality is much different fantasy. I have an imposing Battleship in my basement. LOL
Recycled American steel?
The new US Ford class at 110,000 tons is still about 30% bigger than the 85,000 ton Chinese type 002 to be commissioned in 2020.
Chinese type 003 is said to be nuclear & 110,000 tons but seems just an engineering dream so far.
No dates yet know for launch or commission.
As for the "end of the carrier era", remember the old battleships.
A naval genius in 1930 might have predicted their coming demise, but it did not actually happen until World War II demonstrated their weaknesses & limitations.
And even then they continued to serve up until... when?... Gulf War One, right?
So the old battleships were not suddenly all destroyed or withdrawn, they still had useful lives.
But they were no longer the kings of naval battle, but first demoted to knights or bishops, then pawns, now gone.
That happened because battleships were replaced by much longer range carrier aircraft.
So what would replace a carrier?
Can it fly and become invisible? Can it transform into a robot to use it’s super-cannon?
No?
*Whew!*
Old man hole covers from Wisconsin...
Actually a battleship would still be an effective weapon for combat support. There is not one antiship missile that can penetrate the bridge armor, much less the hull. The 16” guns have very excellent accuracy and with enhanced munitions can hit targets 50 miles away. It requires far less escort support than the big targets called carriers. To the Navy the less support factor is important. It means fewer admiral slots than a carrier group requires.
With later ultraquiet conventional subs now deployed by many countries those big targets are far more at risk than the Navy wants to admit. Those things are QUIET. And with the superfast torpedoes and minitiarized nuke warheads life could get very interesting for carriers very quickly
“There is not one antiship missile that can penetrate the bridge armor, much less the hull. “
I know you might have read that on the Internet, but even a TOW missile can penetrate an Iowa class battleships armor, all of its armor.
A TOW missile is designed to devastate the interior of a small compartment (by plasma burst and light shrapnel), It will have no effect outside that compartment.
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