China testing improved aircraft carrier launch system: reports

[BoQ77]

2015/03/06 23:01:44
Taipei, March 6 (CNA) A recently unveiled satellite photo showing China testing an aircraft carrier launch system has led experts to believe China has made a breakthrough in the design of its catapult system.

China's CCTV reported that the catapult being tested to help planes take off quickly is more efficient than the "ski-jump" ramp used to launch aircraft on China's first carrier, the Liaoning.

The report said the catapult enables aircraft to be launched quickly, upgrading their combat efficiency.

Li Li (李莉), a military expert in China, said catapult takeoff device technology is currently dominated by the United States. But if the satellite photo is true, it means that China has "made a groundbreaking and strategic breakthrough" in aircraft carrier technology.

Li said both steam and electromagnetic catapults are used to launch aircraft, with the United States the first country to use the electromagnetic launch system.

Steam catapults have their limitations, Li said, while electromagnetic catapults enable planes to take off without worrying about weather conditions and are therefore more strategically significant.

The recently unveiled satellite photo showed a catapult track and auxiliary experimental equipment, which Cao Weidong (曹衛東), a researcher at the People's Liberation Army's Naval Research Institute, analyzed could be used as an experimental platform for steam and electromagnetic catapults.

He said China is developing catapults to promote the development of its aircraft carriers, explaining that the currently used ramp system cannot launch early warning fixed-wing aircraft, restraining its combat capabilities.

Cao said China will not only build an aircraft carrier, but also upgrade the ship's combat capabilities, including making use of a catapult, which has become the trend among aircraft carriers.

If China has sufficient funds and the right technology, the aircraft carriers it manufactures will adopt electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, Cao said.

(by Yin Chun-chieh and Lilian Wu)

 

[YoucanYouup]

Steam catapult has already finished, but PLA navy want electromagnetic type
The first made-in-China CV 001a will be a modified copy of Liaoning but only one for emergency
Next type is 002 with catapult, conservative government want proven steam but radical navy want advanced electromagnetic , so is hardly to predict

 

[BoQ77]

Steam catapult has already finished, but PLA navy want electromagnetic type
The first made-in-China CV 001a will be a modified copy of Liaoning but only one foremergency
Next type is 002 with catapult, conservative government want proven steam but radical navy want advanced electromagnetic , so is hardly to predict

Congrat !!!
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confusing....
1. Red - Research for steam catapult DONE, but no use ?
2. Blue - Steam catapult available, but still want ski-jump ?

Actually, I noticed that China is contacting Brazil for this:
China also hire Brazil to train them how to use the A.C

São Paulo is a Clemenceau-classaircraft carrier currently in service with the Brazilian Navy. The São Paulo was first commissioned in 1963 by the French Navy as the Foch and was transferred in 2000 to Brazil, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian Navy. In December 2014 it was announced that São Paulo will be expected to continue active service until 2039, at which time the vessel will be nearly 80 years old.

 

[yusheng]

The middle pic left+above the blue workshop is 2008 dug, long trench is a steam catapult, the military has approved.

right below the test site in 2012 and again in 2014 a new trench dug, the pict shows the project has been completed, this is obviously the electromagnetic launcher.

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

Laoning is gone for overhall for over a year with major upgrade, i speculate something have to do with Catapult system. since it's an research and experiemental carrier, it better to test the catapult system on Laoning to validate the concept before implemented it on 2nd aircraft carrier...let see if my prediction is right.