China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, appears poised to leave port to begin initial sea trials. The development comes soon after five aircraft mockups appeared on the deck of the flattop, as you can read about here, and a little over three months since we got our best view of the warship in its completed form. Once the Fujian goes to sea, it will mark a hugely important step in the development of the country’s naval aviation, with the carrier being the first of its kind to be fully locally designed and also China’s first to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp.
Imagery that was posted on social media today shows the aircraft carrier leaving its moorings at the Jiangnan Shipyard, on Changxing Island, at the mouth of the Yangtze River to the north of Shanghai. The warship is seen moving under its own power while being attended to by several tugboats, with signal flags displayed on its island superstructure.
Time and again we hear thart the QE carriers have the capacity for 40 aircraft. But we can only field 8 at any one time. That means in reality that only a package of 4 F35b s will ever be ready for action. To keep stelthy ( the whole point of the F35,) ordnance has to be carried internally. But to land vertically, that ordnance has to be jettisoned. We need to pull the carriers out of service and upgrade them to CATOBAR - then buy surplus Hornets from the USA or Rafale off the shelf from France. Otherwise our carriers are useless, out ranged out gunned targets.
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
How does the development of military technology, such as China’s Fujian aircraft carrier, reflect a country's priorities and values?
@9M26896Independent2wks2W
They want to make sure that they protect the people of their country
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
How do you feel about the technological advancements of countries developing super aircraft carriers like China's Fujian?
@9M26PHB2wks2W
I feel like it's good that other countries are improving not just technologically but economically too. My only concern is that we should make sure to keep them all in check so none of them has any crazy and or outlandish ideas.
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