Type 003 aircraft carrier

Last updated

Class overview
Builders Jiangnan Shipyard
OperatorsNaval ensign of China.svg  People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded by Type 002
Succeeded by Type 004
Planned1
Building1
General characteristics
Type Aircraft carrier
Displacement85,000–100,000  t (84,000–98,000 long tons) (full load) [1] [2]
Length300 m (984 ft 3 in) (waterline) [3]
320 m (1,049 ft 10 in) (o/a) [4]
Beam40 m (131 ft 3 in) (waterline)
78 m (255 ft 11 in) (o/a) [5]
PropulsionConventional with integrated electric propulsion
Aviation facilities Hangar deck

The Type 003 aircraft carrier is a second-generation Chinese aircraft carrier under construction for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. It will be the first Chinese aircraft carrier to use a CATOBAR system [6] and electromagnetic (EM) launch catapults. [7] [1]

Contents

The Type 003 was originally designated by observers as the "Type 002" when Shandong, China's then-incomplete second carrier, was called "Type 001A". Shandong's official designation, Type 002, was revealed during commissioning. Observers now believe the third carrier will be Type 003. [3]

Design

The Type 003 is expected to use integrated electric propulsion (IEP) and electromagnetic catapults, [7] [1] whereas preceding Chinese carriers were conventionally powered and launched aircraft with ski jumps. [7] [6]

The carrier's size is expected to be between the unfinished 85,000-ton Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk [8] and the United States Navy's 100,000-ton supercarriers. [9] Early assessment measured the Type 003 at approximately 300 meters (984 ft 3 in) long, roughly the length of the US Navy's Gerald R. Ford-class ships. [10] Renewed assessment indicated that its length was 320 meters and has a flight deck with a width of 78 meters. [5] Comparisons have also been drawn to the American Kitty Hawk-classaircraft carriers. [11] [12] Earlier press reports generally suggested that the ship might have a displacement of around 80,000 tons to 85,000 tons. Later assessment backed by satellite images suggested the displacement was underestimated, and the Type 003 carrier might be closer in displacement to about 100,000 tons. [1] [2] Analyst Robert Farley believes the Type 003 will be the "largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States" when completed. [8]

In 2018, Kyle Mizokami predicted the carrier would operate an air group of 40 fighter aircraft, plus propeller-powered transport and airborne early warning and control aircraft. [13]

Development

The Type 003 was originally intended to use steam-powered catapults. [3] In 2013, PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo said that China's next aircraft carrier would be equipped with an EM launch system. [14] Multiple prototypes were spotted by media in 2012, and aircraft capable of using the system were tested at naval research facilities. [15] The change to EM catapults likely explains the increase in size from previous Chinese carriers. [3]

Construction began in the mid-2010s. The exact date is not known; The National Interest reported March 2015; [16] The Diplomat reported that "initial work" had begun in February 2016, followed by a notice to proceed given to the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group in March 2017. [17]

Construction was reportedly delayed in June 2017 by EM and steam catapults tests. [18] By November 2017, the Navy had reportedly developed an IEP system - in lieu of nuclear power - to power EM catapults, allowing work on the Type 003 to resume. [7] [19] [20]

The block modules were moved from the manufacturing facility to the staging area in May 2020, and into dry dock in July 2020. Almost all of the keel and base hull blocks were in the dock by early September 2020; the foremost part of the bow was missing. Measurements based on satellite and aerial photography suggested a hull/waterline length of 300 meters - nearly the flight deck length of China's existing carriers - a maximum beam of 40 meters (131 ft 3 in), and a displacement of more than 85,000 tonnes (84,000 long tons ). [3]

In mid-2020, anonymous Chinese sources projected a launch in the first half of 2021. [1] In September 2020, Rick Joe of foreign affairs magazine The Diplomat projected a launch in mid-2022 at the earliest. [3] China expects the carrier to enter service in 2023. [6]

In July 2021 satellite pictures showed that construction was moving ahead, with key elements such as the superstructure and three catapult launch systems being added to the hull. [21] [5]

On 10 November 2021, Bloomberg reported that "China is three to six months away from launching its third aircraft carrier", citing a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. [22]

The aircraft carrier was expected to be launched on 3rd June 2022, which occurs on the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, as well as the 157th anniversary of the establishment of the Jiangnan Shipyard. [23] However, due to possible technical issues, the launch of the carrier is delayed once again. [24]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 O'Rourke, Ronald (29 March 2021). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. pp. 14–15. RL33153. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Construction of Chinese Type 003 CV-18 aircrat carrier continues to progress at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai". Navy Recognition. 18 June 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Joe, Rick (29 September 2020). "003 and More: An Update on China's Aircraft Carriers". The Diplomat. Retrieved 31 January 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ "China's New Super Carrier: How It Compares to the US Navy's Ford Class". 2 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Rick Joe (4 August 2021). "A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China's Current Carrier and Escort Procurement". The Diplomat. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2020 (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Defense. 1 September 2020. pp. 44, 47. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Minnie Chan (1 November 2017). "Breakthrough to power most advanced jet launch system on China's second home-grown aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
  8. 1 2 Farley, Robert (10 May 2019). "The Significance of China's Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  9. ↑ "Exclusive: Analysts - Images show construction on China's third - and largest - aircraft carrier". Reuters. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  10. ↑ Sutton, H I (21 April 2021). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Is In Same League as US Navy's Ford Class". Naval News. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "China's Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape". CSIS. 15 June 2021.
  12. ↑ Chen, Frank (28 May 2019). "Third PLA carrier could be China's Kitty Hawk". Asia Times. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  13. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (19 January 2018). "China's Next Aircraft Carrier Will Be a Massive Leap Forward". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  14. ↑ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". english.peopledaily.com.cn. People's Daily. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站". Cankaoxiaoxi.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "China's Next Aircraft Carrier: Everything We Know (So Far)". The National Interest. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  17. ↑ "China Kicks Off Construction of New Supercarrier". The Diplomat. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  18. ↑ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". AIN online. 6 July 2017.
  19. ↑ "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". The Diplomat. 1 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Johnson, Reuben F (2 November 2017). "China claims to have developed conventionally powered electromagnetic catapult". Jane's 360.
  21. ↑ "China's third aircraft carrier could launch this year but still needs jets". 16 July 2021.
  22. ↑ "China Nears Launch of First Modern Aircraft Carrier, Report Says". Bloomberg.com. 10 November 2021.
  23. ↑ Chan, Minnie (31 May 2022). "China's third aircraft carrier 'to be launched on Dragon Boat Festival'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  24. ↑ Chan, Minnie. "China delays launch of Type 003 aircraft carrier for unknown reason – are technical problems at fault?". South China Morning Post.
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