Campus Dakota
The Union => Spout => Topic started by: JakeJZG on September 17, 2007, 01:03:45 AM
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China seems to be intent to follow the goals of Adm. Liu Huaning. This means plowing full tilt towards Pacific wide force-projection in direct competition with the United States. The Varyag was promised to be used as a Casino ship when the Chinese purchased her - the repairs that are underway are not supportive of this suggestion. While the carrier might not actually be used in any combat role, it is logical that it is being prepared to train the large variety of roles that are included in a Carrier Battlegroup.
Fairly Recent image of the Varyag at its current location.
(http://www.varyagworld.com/gallery/images/portfolios/varyag_best_3.jpg)
Courtesy of VaryagWorld.com
Interesting Information:
- Recently closed the deal on 48 (2.5 billion dollars) Su-33's (Soviet designed carrier versions of the Su-27).
- The Varyag has recently been rubbed down, re-treated, and is having a new surface being applied to the flight deck for flight operations
Varyag Updates:
http://www.varyagworld.com/
Google Maps view of the Varyag:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&t=k&q=China&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=38.941751,121.643958&spn=0.003688,0.007499&om=1
New carrier designs slated:
Project 089
- ready by 2010
- Non nuclear
- Nasalized J-10's with the Russian AL-31FN engines planned (Thrust Vectoring - this extends the flight envelope and allows better maneuverability, high speed trim, and slower landing speeds).
- 10-20 Su-33's or J-10's (modified for carrier operations - a version with two engines is currently being considered)
- Redesign of the Varyag, new construction (utilizes design and construction techniques from study of this hull)
Project 085
- ready by 2020
- Nuclear
- 93000 ton displacement
- around 60-70 aircraft
China is developing a verison of the Ka-31 to be used for as an Airborne Early Warning helo in the same spirit as the British. The helo version is being developed due to the restraints on a Varyag type carrier in hanger and deck space as well as a lack of catapults.
Liu has stated that the PLAN will have a true blue water naval capabilities by the second half of this century.
Most of my sources I could re-find:
http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/03/chinas_secret_n.html
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/4196
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/01/30/business/carrier.php
http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/199284.html
http://www.playfuls.com/news_10_17799-China-Capable-Of-Building-Aircraft-Carrier-By-2010-Report-Says.html
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200703081640.htm
http://www.varyagworld.com/
http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/surface/aircraftcarrier.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Huaqing
http://www.sinodefence.com/news/2006/news06-10-24.asp
http://www.kommersant.com/p715509/r_528/China_jet_fighters_export/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/11/china-to-buy-su33-carrierbased-fighters-from-russia/index.php