China’s newest aircraft carrier may launch early next year; How many aircraft?

China’s newest aircraft carrier may launch early next year; How many aircraft?
China’s newest aircraft carrier may launch early next year; How many aircraft?

In addition to the speedy construction of the carrier, analysts called attention to the shipyard’s foreign customers, who appear to be effectively subsidizing the carrier’s construction.

China’s J-35 Carrier Fighter Appears; Step To ‘Most Powerful Navy’?

China’s J-35 Carrier Fighter Appears; Step To ‘Most Powerful Navy’?
China’s J-35 Carrier Fighter Appears; Step To ‘Most Powerful Navy’?

“The J-35 may well represent another significant milestone in the Chinese long-term pursuit of a blue-water carrier based naval aviation capability”, said retired US naval intelligence officer, Capt. James Fanell.

China’s Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape: CSIS

China’s Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape: CSIS
China’s Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape: CSIS

China’s third aircraft carrier will be considerably larger than its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which each measure 304.5 meters in length. Earlier assessments of the Type 003 by CSIS estimated its waterline dimensions at roughly 300 meters in length and 40 meters in width.

Aboard USS Ford: More Weapons, More Launches, Faster & Safer

Aboard USS Ford: More Weapons, More Launches, Faster & Safer
Aboard USS Ford: More Weapons, More Launches, Faster & Safer

SOMEWHERE OFF THE EAST COAST: When our aging C-2 Greyhound aircraft took off from the USS Gerald R. Ford the experience was clearly different. Propelled by the electro-magnetic system that has replaced steam catapults it was much smoother and much quicker. The new launch and landing systems provide key tools for a significant reshaping of the…

Inhofe: Any Ford Delay Would Present ‘A Dangerous Readiness Gap’

Inhofe: Any Ford Delay Would Present ‘A Dangerous Readiness Gap’
Inhofe: Any Ford Delay Would Present ‘A Dangerous Readiness Gap’

Capitol Hill has some concerns over the state of the Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carrier, but the Navy is moving forward with next-generation technology, fixing as it goes.

Navy’s Troubled Ford Carrier Makes Modest Progress

Navy’s Troubled Ford Carrier Makes Modest Progress
Navy’s Troubled Ford Carrier Makes Modest Progress

General Atomics says it is launching new, heavier planes from its EMALS carrier launcher. The launches are taking place on land, and won’t be attempted on board the $13 billion Ford for some time, however.

Trump NOT Briefed By Navy On Ford Catapult; Loves ‘Goddamned Steam’ Anyway

Trump NOT Briefed By Navy On Ford Catapult; Loves ‘Goddamned Steam’ Anyway
Trump NOT Briefed By Navy On Ford Catapult; Loves ‘Goddamned Steam’ Anyway

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump may have a clear preference for a “goddamned steam” catapult on the USS Ford and its successors, but his opinion is not based on any detailed Navy briefing about the ship, according to Sean Stackley, acting Navy Secretary. Trump may have derived his remarkably insightful observations about the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System…

Navy Commits To High-Tech Catapults, Arresting Gear For All 3 Ford Carriers

Navy Commits To High-Tech Catapults, Arresting Gear For All 3 Ford Carriers
Navy Commits To High-Tech Catapults, Arresting Gear For All 3 Ford Carriers

WASHINGTON: Despite congressional doubts, years of delays, and almost $5 billion in overruns, the US Navy has now locked in two controversial high-tech systems for all three of its Ford-class supercarriers. First, a week ago, the Navy announced a review of alternative systems had decided to stick with General Atomics’ Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) for…

New Jersey’s Frelinghuysen Wins HAC-D Chair; Picatinny Must Be Happy

New Jersey’s Frelinghuysen Wins HAC-D Chair; Picatinny Must Be Happy
New Jersey’s Frelinghuysen Wins HAC-D Chair; Picatinny Must Be Happy

CAPITOL HILL: The recent death of Bill Young, longtime power on the House Appropriations Committee, opened the door to a new chairman of the defense subcommittee. Today New Jersey’s Rep.  Rodney Frelinghuysen stepped through that door. Frelinghuysen has served on the defense subcommittee since 1999. He was its vice-chairman. The most likely winner from the veteran…