China's second aircraft carrier

capitano34

New Member
China's first aircraft carrier was formally handed over to the navy in September 2012 and entered into service. The Liaoning is a refurbished Soviet ship, formerly known as the Varyag. China says the carrier will encrease its defence capacity.
But where will China get the necessary fighters for its "brand new" aircraft carrier?
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
They'll just buy J-15s, they already done touch'n'go landings on the Liaoning during her sea trials + according to the ShanghiTimes is going to be "the major aircraft used on the carrier".

There was a big noise made about there being skid marks on the decks + people not knowing where they came from but pictures of J-15s performing touch'n'go's have been released

http://english.sina.com/china/p/2012/1015/516294.html

There was word that STOBAR ops might be conducted during the July trials, key word; might

I think that's been the plan for a while now too.

J-15 jets on deck as carrier sets off on longest sea trials -- Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China New

http://www.defencetalk.com/j-15-jets-on-deck-as-carrier-sets-off-on-longest-sea-trials-43689/

EDIT: Looking into it more, there's plenty of carrier capable PLANAF already around + Washington Post confirms the flight ops - published Oct 15th

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...cea2cc-16ca-11e2-a346-f24efc680b8d_story.html
 
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They'll just buy J-15s, they already done touch'n'go landings on the Liaoning during her sea trials + according to the ShanghiTimes is going to be "the major aircraft used on the carrier".

There was a big noise made about there being skid marks on the decks + people not knowing where they came from but pictures of J-15s performing touch'n'go's have been released

Chinese fighters practice landing on "Liaoning" aircraft carrier - China News - SINA English

There was word that STOBAR ops might be conducted during the July trials, key word; might

I think that's been the plan for a while now too.

J-15 jets on deck as carrier sets off on longest sea trials -- Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China New

J-15 Jets On Deck As Carrier Sets Off On Longest Sea Trials | Navy & Maritime Security News at DefenceTalk

EDIT: Looking into it more, there's plenty of carrier capable PLANAF already around + Washington Post confirms the flight ops - published Oct 15th

China begins flight training on its first aircraft carrier with touch-and-go exercises - The Washington Post
There has also been a lot of discussion on our sister forum as to whether the first indigenous Chinese carrier will be STOBAR or CATOBAR, some thinking the PLAN will move ahead and employ emals, others opting for the cautious approach stating that it will likely be a STOBAR ship. It has also been noted that the Shenyang F-60/J31 techno demonstrator? or whatever, may be a next gen stealthy carrier fighter. For now the J-15, which is a naval Flanker derivative is the definitive bird on the Liaoling or CV-16.
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
There has also been a lot of discussion on our sister forum as to whether the first indigenous Chinese carrier will be STOBAR or CATOBAR, some thinking the PLAN will move ahead and employ emals, others opting for the cautious approach stating that it will likely be a STOBAR ship. It has also been noted that the Shenyang F-60/J31 techno demonstrator? or whatever, may be a next gen stealthy carrier fighter. For now the J-15, which is a naval Flanker derivative is the definitive bird on the Liaoling or CV-16.
Personally, I think they will use the experience they get from Liaoling and develop a roughly equivalent tonnage carrier in STOBAR but with most if not all aspects incrementally better and more suited to Chinas needs. The Chinese aren't stupid + sure as hell aren't going to jump from one STOBAR trainer to a full on CATOBAR in one leap as it'd be very risky + expensive as hell.

IIRC J-15 is STOBAR and Wiki (from an AviationWeek article I can't view due to no subscription) puts the ISD at 2016. So if China are already building a second carrier - according to Reuters - (or at least beginning fairly soon) then the J-15 would be the prime naval aircraft to carry for a while now.

My guess it'll probably be what, 15 - 20 years for the J-31 to go from a non-flying potential prototype to something commercially viable? (Generally pretty shite at these estimates) so if they were looking to use the J-31 on a future carrier it'd be possibly a 3rd/4th depending on how many they build. Either way, it won't be for their next carrier IMO, who knows - might even be STOBAR to try keep 1 common class of carrier.

Of course, this all depends on if China is lying about not building a second carrier in Shanghai, something which - due to the lack of photos - could be true.
 
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