Chinese aircraft carrier Type 003 at the shipyard in Shanghai. Photo: https://t.co/BDAog0wSQZ pic.twitter.com/Wl4fBlsj9g
— Ivan O'Gilvi (@o_gilvi) April 15, 2021
Judging by the dimensions of the lower part of the Chinese aircraft carrier Type 003, its dimensions do not differ much from the latest American ships of the Gerald R. Ford type. This conclusion was reached by the experts of Naval News, having studied satellite photos of the shipyard in Shanghai, where the aircraft carrier is being built.
According to the calculations of the publication, the length of the waterline Type 003 will be about 300 meters. This is slightly smaller than the Ford (317 meters), but significantly larger than the previous Chinese aircraft carriers (270 meters). Another significant difference between the new ship of the People's Republic of China and its predecessors will be the catapults. Type 001 and 002, built according to the Soviet project, use a springboard that does not allow heavy aircraft to take off - for example, the KJ-600 flying radar.
The type of catapult that the Chinese plan to install is still unknown. High-tech electromagnetic, as on the Ford, is more powerful than steam and recharges faster, but the US Navy has faced serious problems in its operation. An important difference between the Type 003 and the US aircraft carriers is in the power plant. The Chinese ship is not expected to use a nuclear reactor, which will reduce its combat range and require tanker escorts.
The assembly of the Type 003 is fast - many sections are visible next to the hull of the giant ship, prepared for installation. Soon the flight deck will begin to take shape and then we will know what the third aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy will be.
Anton Valagin
