'2nd aircraft carrier to have military focus'
Updated: 2016-01-04 07:45
By ZHAO LEI(China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
New technology
The new carrier has been designed in China and will have a displacement of 50,000 metric tons, a conventional power system, and will carry domestically developed J-15 fighter jets and other ship-borne aircraft, Yang said.
The ship will use a ski jump mode for launching fixed-wing aircraft, the same as the Liaoning, he added.
Zhang said the new carrier's three major systems-power and propulsion, electronic systems and weapons-will all be developed by China and will have better capabilities than those on the Liaoning.
He said China will consider developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier after it gains enough experience in operating such large vessels.
Chen Xuesong, a fellow researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said he believes the new carrier, which is being constructed in sections to be assembled later, will be a tough challenge for Chinese engineers.
Quality guarantee
"Although we have gained expertise and know-how from the Liaoning refit project, the new vessel will truly be the first time for us to design and build an aircraft carrier," he told China Daily. "Our engineers must make sure their structural design is good and guarantee the quality of the steel parts."
Beyond the second carrier, China is looking into a host of cutting-edge technologies that can be used on future vessels.
China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, which refitted the Liaoning and is building the second carrier, has been researching nuclear-powered ships since 2013.
Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, previously has said that it is highly possible that the navy's next-generation aircraft carrier will be equipped with nuclear propulsion.
China already has nuclear submarines that require highly sophisticated technologies and manufacturing capabilities, so developing a nuclear carrier will not be difficult, he said.
Today's Top News
Storm Frank batters northern Britain
Over 1 million refugees fled to Europe by sea in 2015
Germany to spend 17b euros on refugees in 2016
Demand booms for high-end financial talent
Abe expresses apology for Korean victims of comfort women
North China encounters gas supply shortage
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank launched
Russia says it has proof of Turkey's support for IS
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |