China Launches it's first Aircraft Carrier for a test run

[PanzerJaeger]

Interesting decision by China. I'm firmly of the belief that, much like the battleship, the days of the super carrier are numbered. We are right on the verge of completely removing pilots from our combat air operations and probably most of the support roles as well, which will allow for far smaller, less expensive, and less vulnerable carriers. I would have thought China would wait until UAV technology went mainstream before jumping into the carrier race, but I guess they already had the Russian one bought and when you're that flush with money, there's no reason to wait.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Interesting decision by China. I'm firmly of the belief that, much like the battleship, the days of the super carrier are numbered. We are right on the verge of completely removing pilots from our combat air operations and probably most of the support roles as well, which will allow for far smaller, less expensive, and less vulnerable carriers. I would have thought China would wait until UAV technology went mainstream before jumping into the carrier race, but I guess they already had the Russian one bought and when you're that flush with money, there's no reason to wait.

When men want to look like a superpower, they deploy an enormous weapon.

Doesn't matter whether it's of any use, as long as it's big.

[HoreTore]

When men want to look like a superpower, they deploy an enormous weapon.

Doesn't matter whether it's of any use, as long as it's big.

Is this what a saturday night in Banqoustan looks like?

[Banquo's Ghost]

Is this what a saturday night in Banqoustan looks like?

In this damp corner of the world, we have very small weapons and absolutely no desire to use them.

[Centurion1]

carriers are going to be necessary weapons of war for a long time to come.

and uavs will never replace the piloted aircraft.

[CBR]

...and uavs will never replace the piloted aircraft.

I think you will be surprised...

[Centurion1]

I think you will be surprised...

No I don't think I will...... I live on the base that holds some of the work for the Predator drone (most of it is out in Nevada), the military testing center for the Global Hawk system, the program for the P-7 and F-35. Those are the programs I at least know about. My father is a contractor and troubleshooter for the Navy for their aircraft. Drone work and technology is nowhere near the necessary level required to replace a human pilot. And before you say, now it isn't. I mean it won't be for hundreds of year if ever.

[Boohugh]

I'd be interested to hear of any significant conflicts within the last 40 years (possibly even since WW2) involving states with operational aircraft carriers where said carriers have not been used? The only one I can think of is Russia's invasion of Georgia in 2008 but then Russia had a land border so there was no problem in terms of basing and overflight with using land based aircraft. The fact is an aircraft carrier does still have significant practical use in a range of environments and there is nothing to suggest this will change for the time being.

Having said that, however, the launch of this Chinese carrier doesn't really represent any significant change in the situation in the Far East. It should be viewed as a training ship rather than an operational warship and just marks another step in the long chain of events that will eventually lead to China having an operational aircraft carrier.

[HoreTore]

In this damp corner of the world, we have very small weapons and absolutely no desire to use them.

Now I'm confused.

Are we still speaking metaphorically about penises? If so, I do applaud your honesty!!



Though I do feel a little sorry for Ms. Banqou....

[Banquo's Ghost]

Now I'm confused.

Are we still speaking metaphorically about penises? If so, I do applaud your honesty!!

Just as in international relations, a great deal can be achieved with innovative methods that do not rely on penetrative weapons. Only a fool thinks effectiveness is about size.

[Strike For The South]

That's the 2nd sexual pun I've seen from you today

Let the record show

[HoreTore]

Just as in international relations, a great deal can be achieved with innovative methods that do not rely on penetrative weapons. Only a fool thinks effectiveness is about size.

[Centurion1]

Just as in international relations, a great deal can be achieved with innovative methods that do not rely on penetrative weapons. Only a fool thinks effectiveness is about size.

someone needs to get some....... all these innuendos demonstrate a very antsy gentleman.

[Vladimir]

Just as in international relations, a great deal can be achieved with innovative methods that do not rely on penetrative weapons. Only a fool thinks effectiveness is about size.

Must...hold...puns...

[Adrian II]

When men want to look like a superpower, they deploy an enormous weapon.

Doesn't matter whether it's of any use, as long as it's big.

It isn't just big, it projects power onto shores wherever it goes. I guess that is what the Chinese are after. The want control of the South China Sea and a carrier is just the weapon they need in that theatre.

AII

[Furunculus]

Interesting decision by China. I'm firmly of the belief that, much like the battleship, the days of the super carrier are numbered. We are right on the verge of completely removing pilots from our combat air operations and probably most of the support roles as well, which will allow for far smaller, less expensive, and less vulnerable carriers. I would have thought China would wait until UAV technology went mainstream before jumping into the carrier race, but I guess they already had the Russian one bought and when you're that flush with money, there's no reason to wait.

the rise of the UAV is not incompatible with the aircraft carrier, quite the opposite in fact.

[gaelic cowboy]

the rise of the UAV is not incompatible with the aircraft carrier, quite the opposite in fact.

UAV is cheaper than an aircraft carrier with enough of them you could sink an entire fleet, they could be like a swarm of bees the carrier might run out of weapons systems to defend itself.

[Furunculus]

UAV is cheaper than an aircraft carrier with enough of them you could sink an entire fleet, they could be like a swarm of bees the carrier might run out of weapons systems to defend itself.

a uav is a plane without a pilot.

it is still considered useful to fly planes with pilots off aircraft carriers today, just as it will remain useful to fly planes without pilots off carriers tomorrow.

[gaelic cowboy]

a uav is a plane without a pilot.

it is still considered useful to fly planes with pilots off aircraft carriers today, just as it will remain useful to fly planes without pilots off carriers tomorrow.

This changes and sometimes quicker than we like.

An aircraft carrier could potentially run out of UAV's whereas the ground based would be capable of more longterm fighting.

Also people are trying to develop things like underwater UAVs and other cool stuff, I agree with PJ the carrier is likely to head the way of the battleship and sooner than we think.

Everyone was stilll obsessed with battleships in WW2 and they had been already outclassed and no one noticed till it was too late, the same will happen with carriers.

[CBR]

An aircraft carrier could potentially run out of UAV's whereas the ground based would be capable of more longterm fighting.

UAV's are not magic. You could use precisely same argument for ordinary planes yet carriers are still here.

Everyone was stilll obsessed with battleships in WW2 and they had been already outclassed and no one noticed till it was too late, the same will happen with carriers

.
Perhaps. But so far that awesome new weapon to outclass the carrier is not here.

[gaelic cowboy]

UAV's are not magic. You could use precisely same argument for ordinary planes yet carriers are still here.

but they are CHEAP unlike the carrier, jets are the not same in reality they cost millions to run and train the pilots etc, UAV's could be ran autonomously with no need for anything but one fella and a flat field.

[lars573]

Everyone was stilll obsessed with battleships in WW2 and they had been already outclassed and no one noticed till it was too late, the same will happen with carriers.

And until there is a shooting war that proves that beyond any doubt they will continue to be built. Which you yourself noted.