Royalistflyer
16th Dec 2011, 00:28
My understanding is that neither the Russians nor the Chinese have ever developed a workable catapult. I believe the Chinese think the former Varyag which has been satellite photographed on sea trials, will be fitted with one - which means it will have both ski jump and catapult. I am sure the Chinese will quickly develop a workable catapult - possibly jumping directly to EMALS.
All of which is very well, but they have to develop truly carrier-capable aircraft - a somewhat more difficult problem. I believe they have aircraft with hooks - but not, apparently launch-strengthened. They apparently have a ground carrier training facility.
As I understand navy thinking, there is nothing to be gained from adding an EMALS to a ski jump - do our Navy flyers agree with that?
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All of which is very well, but they have to develop truly carrier-capable aircraft - a somewhat more difficult problem. I believe they have aircraft with hooks - but not, apparently launch-strengthened. They apparently have a ground carrier training facility.
As I understand navy thinking, there is nothing to be gained from adding an EMALS to a ski jump - do our Navy flyers agree with that?
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