August 19, 201015 yr Apparently, the "Shipwreck" VLS cells are still there... I'm looking forward to this actually getting a new name; I don't like "ex-Varyag". [The title is a pun on "MGM Grand"; a reference to the 'casino' this was apparently being sold to become]
August 19, 201015 yr Apparently, the "Shipwreck" VLS cells are still there... I'm looking forward to this actually getting a new name; I don't like "ex-Varyag". [The title is a pun on "MGM Grand"; a reference to the 'casino' this was apparently being sold to become] They have been busy, haven't they. The SS-N-19 launchers weren't quite vertical, apparently being inclined at 50 degrees, but a gaping hole nonetheless. I would be surprised if the PLAN installed a long range ASCM there, but who knows. Maybe a vertically launched SAM like the HHQ-9A? Whatever they intend, I am sure they will want to make good use of the space. As for names, she was supposedly called Chinluck for awhile, an apparent reference to the company (er, state controlled enterprise/cover story ... cough) that intended the casino venture. The most recent moniker I have seen is Shi Lang (after that Ming dynasty admiral that invaded Taiwan), and this is the one I've chosen for use in the HCDB.
October 5, 201015 yr Recomended blog for more up-to-date info:http://china-pla.blogspot.com/ The China Air and Naval Power blog is posted in the Links section of HarpGamer (since February 2010), thanks to HG member pmaidhof.
October 16, 201015 yr So it looks like they are trying to get her back in service eh? I'm wondering if they have to re-engine her? That kind of surgery would be noticed because they'd have to cut open the hull to get at the spaced. I don't know if the ship had a propulsion system installed or not prior to her being towed to China. A ship like that will provide them with invaluable experience in carrier operations. Won't do diddly squat for them in ASW however, which is their real weakness. Maybe they'll use the VLS tubes for their DF-21 ASBM? Later D
December 3, 201015 yr So it looks like they are trying to get her back in service eh? I'm wondering if they have to re-engine her? That kind of surgery would be noticed because they'd have to cut open the hull to get at the spaced. I don't know if the ship had a propulsion system installed or not prior to her being towed to China. She was engineless so that has to be built from scratch, I imagine it would be a steam plant anyway. A ship like that will provide them with invaluable experience in carrier operations. Won't do diddly squat for them in ASW however, which is their real weakness. Maybe they'll use the VLS tubes for their DF-21 ASBM? Later D DF-21 is big, probably won't fit, but also it's not navalised and probably needs a fixed launch location (DF-21 sites appear to have concrete pads for this purpose)
December 3, 201015 yr Author So it looks like they are trying to get her back in service eh? I'm wondering if they have to re-engine her? That kind of surgery would be noticed because they'd have to cut open the hull to get at the spaced. I don't know if the ship had a propulsion system installed or not prior to her being towed to China. She was engineless so that has to be built from scratch, I imagine it would be a steam plant anyway. A ship like that will provide them with invaluable experience in carrier operations. Won't do diddly squat for them in ASW however, which is their real weakness. Maybe they'll use the VLS tubes for their DF-21 ASBM? Later D DF-21 is big, probably won't fit, but also it's not navalised and probably needs a fixed launch location (DF-21 sites appear to have concrete pads for this purpose) It's not that big.
December 3, 201015 yr Big enough: Length: 10.70 m Diameter: 1.40 m Launch Weight: 14700 kg vs. the Shipwreck Length: 10.00 m Diameter: 0.85 m Wingspan: 2.60 m Launch Weight: 6980.00 kg That it won't fit.
December 3, 201015 yr Putting a handful of DF-21 ASBM aboard a Chinese carrier (assuming it works as advertised and could be adapted for shipboard use effectively) would not appear to be in line with their strategy, anyway, imho. The purpose of the DF-21 is to deter American carrier power and keep it away from Chinese shores. Given that a Chinese carrier is unlikely to ever try and pick a fight with a US Navy carrier strike group in the open ocean, little advantage is gained by putting the DF-21 into the carrier. A Chinese carrier is far more likely to try and operate under the cover of shore based airpower and under the protection offered by shore based, mobile DF-21 batteries (where they are much more survivable). That being the case, I think the space is better reserved for some kind of area or point defence anti-air weapon (they will be needing plenty), or in more utilitarian fashion, just plated over and used for machinery or accommodation for the myriad of navy flyers they hope to eventually raise.
December 3, 201015 yr Putting a handful of DF-21 ASBM aboard a Chinese carrier (assuming it works as advertised and could be adapted for shipboard use effectively) would not appear to be in line with their strategy, anyway, imho. The purpose of the DF-21 is to deter American carrier power and keep it away from Chinese shores. Given that a Chinese carrier is unlikely to ever try and pick a fight with a US Navy carrier strike group in the open ocean, little advantage is gained by putting the DF-21 into the carrier. A Chinese carrier is far more likely to try and operate under the cover of shore based airpower and under the protection offered by shore based, mobile DF-21 batteries (where they are much more survivable). That being the case, I think the space is better reserved for some kind of area or point defence anti-air weapon (they will be needing plenty), or in more utilitarian fashion, just plated over and used for machinery or accommodation for the myriad of navy flyers they hope to eventually raise. In another forum, someone raised the posibility that the Chinese carriers (Varyag and the new ship they are projecting) were to be used to guarantee the access to the Persian Gulf, which raises interesting possibilities.
December 3, 201015 yr Increased aircraft space, Or anti air weaponry would seem to be a better use of space for a unit to be operating closer to shore.
December 6, 201015 yr I've been hashing this out on the China-Defense forum for the last several weeks. There's a segment of posters there that seem to believe that the carrier was towed to China with an engine plant intact or they had one installed while she was dry docked. There is currently no agreement on the length of the dry docking period but either way it would take a considerable amount of time [months at least] to install engines, power train, shafting, and screws. I find it highly unlikely that nobody would notice that kind of work going on. A cam shaft for a large diesel plant can be as long as a house. I just got off a Coast Guard vessel that's a fraction of the size of Varyag. She had one of her engines replaced by a brand new, fresh out of the box unit and it took 7 weeks in dry dock. But it's only a casino Later D
July 27, 201114 yr From Defense Aerospace [excerpt] China Says Aircraft Carrier to be Used for Research, Training(Source: Voice of America news; issued July 27, 2011) China's defense ministry said Wednesday that an aircraft carrier being readied for sea trials will be used for scientific research, experiments and training.
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