From DefenseTech

 

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Pics of the Day: Look Who’s Headed to Sea Again

 

Happy Friday afternoon. It appears that China’s aircraft carrier, the ex-Soviet Varyag is heading out to open seas once again. Still no word on when she’ll have aircraft operating off her flight deck while she’s underway.

A recent pic of the ex Varyag, via Christopher Irvine on the Old Pooners Facebook page (and originally from the Sino Defence forums, apparently).

 

It 'obviously' a family day cruise for ChiCom officials, navy brass and their families, as the CNO last year said a Chinese aircraft carrier doesn't pose a threat.

Humor aside, the OpTempo of the Chinese shows, they are serious about working the kinks out of the system and I would expect to see them (within the next year), conducting an initial set of touch-and-goes with the carrier-capable aircraft that are being built.

It 'obviously' a family day cruise for ChiCom officials, navy brass and their families, as the CNO last year said a Chinese aircraft carrier doesn't pose a threat.

 

I would say that depends on who you are asking. I've said before on these forums that I don't think this carrier was ever intended to threaten US naval supremacy in WestPac. Given the fledgling status of Chinese naval aviation, it would be nonsensical to think so. What it does represent is a starting point for them.

 

Too many people focus on the 'US vs China' scenario, skipping over or failing to acknowledge the import of the role that this carrier (and the carriers to come) could potentially play against regional actors. The recent spat with the Philippines comes to mind. Even without an air wing available, this ship can pose a serious threat to smaller players. Throw a force of helicopters aboard, for example, and suddenly you can put airpower over the rocks that are the Spratlys.

Wow, outstanding response! Gives me a lot to think about, concerning a potential BRICS series I'm working on. Thanks.

J-15 on deck? (People's Daily Online, via Defense Aerospace)

It might not be 'Shi Lang' after all

Yeah, the Chi-Coms are still taking second place to the Indies. It'll be interesting to see if they conduct at least one T&G, just to say they DID. On a side note, people compalin about the air quality here being bad. Holy Smokes, it looks like you actually can cut the air with a knife there.

Report: Will enter service officially on 1 October

Report: Will enter service officially on 1 October

I think that's earlier we'are thinking, and waiting for the planes ...

Interesting. Well, they have the ships to compose the CVBG - they have one of the largest navies in the world and they have rapidly gained the 'blue water' capability it takes to operate a CVBG. They also have the will, to put together the tactics of how a CVBG is used. Everybody has been saying 'Oh, it will take them years to develop tactics on the use of an aircraft carrier.' If there's one thing the ChiComs are good at - it's observing and copying others (just like most Asian cultures).

Here's a little known fact - many fail to realize the ChiComs were allowed to ride aboard US aircraft carriers as observers - for YEARS during the Clinton administration! Heck, we had two aboard the CARL VINSON, during RIMPAC 1998. The beaureaucrats rolled-out the freaking red carpet for them. Thankfully, there were two places they weren't allowed - engineering and CVIC. They got to see everything though - including CDC. I would imagine withs dems in the White House (just like there were in the late-1990's), that policy continues.

So, they are learning their tactics from the masters. Anyone have a guess on how long it takes the students to outdo the masters? As long as the idea of an operational Chinese carrier is poo-poo'ed in the press and in the minds of the American public, the ChiComs are one step closer!

From DEW Line blog

 

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Chinese carrier seen with J-15 Flanker copy onboard

By Dave Majumdar

on August 15, 2012 6:43 PM

 

My colleague Greg Waldron from our office in Singapore is reporting that China's "new" carrier--the former Soviet vessel Varyag--has been spotted with a number of aircraft embarked. Among these are a Z-8 airborne early warning helicopter and a Shenyang J-15 copy of the Russian Su-33 carrier-variant of the Flanker.

 

That might not be a real J-15; could be a mock-up for handling practice.

That might not be a real J-15; could be a mock-up for handling practice.

 

Yup, could be. I see the comments too.

I'm thinking its a flight deck trainer (a mock-up). I would say the helo is the real deal.

The ChiComs are slow and methodical (that's their nature). They will probably practice moving it around the flight and having their quija board guys get training in flight ops. Dollars to doughnuts, the next time the ship goes to sea, if you see two of more aircraft - that means they will be conducting real flight ops.

Slow and methodical - that's the overall ChiCom way - they freaking practice and worry things to death, unless they have overwhelming numbers and then they follow Soviet doctrine and steamroller their enemies.