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P.R.C China PLA & PAP (Police) Gallery and Discussion
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China Fire Service Dept. Type 96
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United States uncertain why China is boosting its high tech weapons arsenal
Saturday May 31, 2008
BRISBANE, Australia - The United States has used its press service to publicly announce that it is monitoring China's military build up.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen on a tour of Asia, which included Indonesia, has been quoted expressing his professional interest in China's weapons resources and direction - "Chinese strategic intent -- why China is developing these capabilities and how the country intends to use them once they're developed -- remains unclear"
China is building a modern military and spending vast amounts on high technology weapons capable of offensive use. Its espionage activities have not ceased as it seeks the latest commercial and military secrets from potential opponents in future battles.
The capacity of the Chinese to destroy satellites was demonstrated last year before the US did the same to make a point to the unelected leaders in Beijing.
Last week, the Chinese were reportedly trying to gain unauthorized access to US military computer networks.
Relations between China appear neutral as the USA supplies relief in the earthquake affected areas of China but the USA is not loosing focus on the regime. As the US removes troops and equipment from Japan ( with the help of Japanese funding ! ) the military might is not going far, just to Guam so as to be close to China.
Here is the official US press release that touches upon China in terms of weapons, Taiwan and strategic intent.
Mullen Cites Value of Hotline, Military Contacts With China
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
SINGAPORE, May 30, 2008 - In the wake of the first operational use of a new hotline linking U.S. and Chinese military leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today he hopes military-to-military ties between the countries continue to increase and evolve.
In an interview with a Chinese television crew here, where he's attending the Shangri-La Dialogue -- a conference focusing on the security challenges in Asia -- Mullen called the hotline he suggested last year that became operational this year "a very positive step forward."
A May 12 earthquake in China's Sichuan province that killed more than 68,000 people resulted in the hotline's first use, Mullen noted. He used the opportunity presented by the Chinese television interview to express condolences.
"I'd certainly like to offer my condolences and heartfelt sympathies to all of the Chinese people, and particularly those families who lost loved ones in the earthquake," Mullen said.
When Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command used the new hotline to reach out to Chinese counterparts immediately after the earthquake, it facilitated speedy U.S. relief efforts, he added.
"It really was the use of that hotline by Admiral Keating that allowed immediate contact in a crisis, which is one of the things the hotline was for," he said. "It created clear communications so the United States could offer assistance and the Chinese government could accept assistance."
Because the line is still new, Mullen said, he would like to see it mature before suggesting changes to the process. But he said it's an example of the growing military-to-military contacts between the United States and China.
"It's important that we stay engaged to create a better understanding of what our intentions are and our goals are," the chairman said. "I've expressed concern before about the increased defense budget in China and the technologies it's focused on. All of this argues for the need for us to stay in discussion so we can understand strategic intent."
Chinese strategic intent -- why China is developing these capabilities and how the country intends to use them once they're developed -- remains unclear, Mullen said, adding that he'd like to see communications between the U.S. and Chinese militaries continue to improve.
Noting that leadership exchanges already take place between the U.S. and Chinese militaries, Mullen said he would like to see a similar investment for the countries' younger officers, "so that when they grow up to be senior officers and run the military, they have that kind of background."
Mullen said he wants to continue education, training and exercise cooperation between the United States and China, "and small steps taken at the very senior level between the leaders and between the militaries ... that work together. At this stage of our relationship, doing that to create a better understanding is critical."
Mullen also answered questions about tensions between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. He said the United States has not changed its position on the "One China" policy, but that he hopes "with the tension being low, over time, the Taiwan issue would become much less of an issue."
The One China U.S. position is reflected in the Three Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act. The United States does not support Taiwan's independence and insists on the peaceful resolution of differences between Beijing and Taipei.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, who took office May 20, said in his inaugural speech that he wants to be a peacemaker, and not a troublemaker, with Beijing.
"[The Taiwan Straits] is a critical area," Mullen said during the interview. "Historically there has been tension, and I'm hopeful that tension will reduce to a level that sends a signal for the long run it will stay very low."
Mullen said the United States will continue its current arms sales policies toward Taiwan, stressing that the arms sent to Taiwan are defensive.
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Shaanxi Y-8 (Yun-8)
The Shaanxi Y-8 (Yun-8) aircraft is a medium size medium range transport aircraft produced by Shaanxi Aircraft Company in China, based on the Ukrainian Antonov An-12. It has became one of China's most popular military and civilian transport/cargo aircraft, with many variants produced and exported. Although the An-12 is no longer made in Ukraine, the Chinese Y-8 continues to be upgraded and produced. An estimated 75 Y-8 aircraft had been built by 2001.
* Y-8 Transport: Unpressurized military carrier.
* Y-8 Passenger plane: Pressurized passenger carrier.
* Y-8 C3I: at least one sample is being tested, and characterized by around half a dozen small antennas above the cockpit.
* Y-8 Cargo plane: Many versions, some with a pressurized cabin. Special variants included one modified to transport the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter, and the Y-8F livestock carrier.
* Y-8X Maritime patrol aircraft: Equipped with Litton Canada AN/APS-504(V) search radar for maritime surveillance missions. This version is characterized by a larger cylindrical radar radome under the nose similar to that on H-6 bomber.
* Y-8J AEW: Airborne early warning version equipped with British GEC-Marconi Argus-2000 early warning radar systems. This version is characterized by a large nose that houses the radar.
* KJ-200 AEW&C: Airborne early warning and control version with active phased array radar in configurations similar to Swedish Erieye.
* Y-8 AWACS: Characterized by triple tail configuration (one large and two small). Similar look to A-50I.
* Y-8 ECM: Electronic countermeasures version characterized by the semi-cylindrical arrays on the sides of the front fuselage.
* Y-8 ESM: Electronic surveillance measures version characterized by the ventral canoe underneath the forward fuselage, and seven antennas protruding downward from the loading ramp.
* Y-8 ELINT: Electronic signals intelligence version characterized by the cylindical array just in front of the vertical stabilizer.
* Y-8 Mineral research plane: Characterized by the extended magnetic anomaly detector at the tail, for finding potential mine sites. It is similar in appearance to an anti-submarine warfare platform and is often mistaken for the latter.
* Y-8 ASW: ASW platform under tests, with extended magnetic anomaly detector at the tail, the latest military version, looks similar to Y-8 Mineral research plane.
* Y-8 Radar test bed: Test bed for airborne ra** for fighters, similar to the Boeing 737 test bed for the APG-63 radar for the F-15 Eagle and characterized by a sharp pointed nose cone.
* Y-8 Avionics test bed: Test bed for avionics (except the radar). In appearance it could be mistaken as an electronic surveillance platform.
* Y-8A: Helicopter transport aircraft.
* Y-8B: Unpressurised freight/passenger transport aircraft for CAAC.
* Y-8C: Pressurised transport version.
* Y-8D: Fitted with western avionics.
* Y-8E: Drone carrier aircraft.
* Y-8F: Live-stock transport aircraft.
* Y-8H: Aerial survey aircraft.
* Y-8K: 121-seat airliner.
* Y-8F-100: Fitted with more powerful engines, EFIS, colour weather radar, TCAS and GPS.
* Y-8F-200: This model has a 2.2m (7ft 10in) stretched fuselage.
* Y-8F-600: Newest civilian transport variant with a redesigned fuselage, Pratt and Whitney turboprop engines, an Electronic Flight Instrument System "glass cockpit", and a two-person crew.[6]
Y-8J Skymaster Airborne Surveillance Aircraft (AWACS)
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Post Last Edit by HangPC2 at 16-11-2009 11:55
Chinas Emerging 5th Generation Air-to-Air Missiles
by Richard Fisher, Jr.
Published on February 2nd, 2008
Internet source imagery from January 4 has offered the first glimpses of what may be Chinas emerging 5th generation air-to-air missiles (AAM). One missile, called the PL-ASR or PL-10, shows a very close resemblance to the South African Denel A-Darter AAM. A second image, discovered on a Chinas Northwestern University web site in mid-December, shows another missile similar to the radar-guided South African Denel R-Darter, designed in cooperation with Israel. Both of these missiles are likely designed for use with modern Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD), which enable pilots to Look to kill their targets. But there is more: additional imagery suggests that a previously reported ramjet powered development of the Chinese Luoyang PL-12 active-radar guided AAM, called the PL-13, could give the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) an AAM that could out-range existing U.S. AAMs.
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China's NORINCO develops new 40 mm automatic grenade launcher
By Christopher F Foss
02 May 2008
China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has completed development of its new LG3 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (AGL) and is now marketing it globally.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has traditionally been equipped with locally manufactured 35 mm grenade launchers of various types, including the QLZ87 (with a six- or 15-round magazine) and the LG1 add-on launcher, mounted under the barrel of an assault rifle.
The LG3 40 mm AGL features a blowback operation and NORINCO claims it has an effective range of more than 2,200 m. The barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake and feed can be from the left or right side with each box-type magazine holding 30 rounds of ready-use ammunition. Firing mode is automatic-only with a cyclic rate of fire of between 340 to 400 rounds per minute and a claimed barrel life of 6,000 rounds.
- Janes -
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wow china military is getting stronger each day
their capability of creating their own product or u could say copy
which makes it more advance by adding few features and develop a bit here and there |
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More on China & Russia military relationship
So, we dealt a little bit with the naval problems in the relationship. Now, we also got some more ammunition on the aerial part of the relationship. But to start of, we will go for a little lighter piece of news.
MOSCOW. June 6 (Interfax-AVN) - A plan is being developed for the
Chinese aircraft manufacturing industry to invest in a project to
develop a training aircraft on the basis of the Yakovlev Yak-152, a
Russian defense industry source said.
An agreement with China to that effect "is expected within the next
few months," the source told Interfax-AVN.
The plane would be fitted with a piston engine.
So, as you guys might have figured out from my past post, I'm not the biggest fan of Hongdu. This is another reason why I just cannot respect this company in spite of its success with K-8 exports. We know that L-15 has turned into a total failure up to this point. In some degree, it's excusable to struggle in developing an advanced trainer. However, they can't even get a basic trainer developed. They have to basically pay the Russians to develop an aircraft for them. That is just so sad. Even after all of China's recent success in aircraft development, they can't develop this simple aircraft.
Now, let's turn our attention back to J-11B and IL-76. It appears that Sukhoi's General Director has announced J-11B is not an illegal copy of su-27. You can find the video report of the news report in Chinese here. There is probably also some Russian reports on this. I'm sure it will soon propogate to more prominent news sources. From the beginning, I thought the Russians were just trying to get some money out of this. From sources I read so far, it seems like the Russians probably got some concessions (other contracts) from China in exchange for dropping this complaint. I think at the end of the day, it's better for both side to achieve some level of satisfaction and put this behind them. The bilateral relationship is way too important to be marred by this argument.
IL-76 issue is also getting close to being resolved according to this PKF Article. Now, this is a Kanwa article, so you will have to take it at its face value. It's easy to see the bias in this article. When Indians are considered to do the normal and reasonable thing to bend to the Russian blackmail over the entire Gorshkov fiasco, the author looses all credibility. There is no question that China got a good deal when the original IL-76 contract was signed, but that doesn't excuse the Russians. As a basic business practice, you must fulfill a contract regardless of how bad it may look to you. The Southwest airline got a deal where it's buying oil at $55 a barrel for 3 years. I suppose if it signed that deal with the Russians, the contract would be torn up by now. Normally, when a side cannot complete the contract in time, it will be penalized under the terms of the agreement. Not only do the Russians not offer compensation for violating the agreement, they expect extra compensation?
I wonder what the chances are for China to buy IL-76 if they anticipate the domestic copy will be ready in 5 years and this new factory is clearly not ready for production yet. If it takes 3 years to get the contract signed and equipments purchased. And then the first IL-76 come off the production line will already be around 2011-2012, would this deal be worth it? Pinkov certainly assumed right from the beginning that PLAAF can only get the plane from the Russians. I'm sure the Russians did the same way, so they expected China to eventually bend on this issue. It has probably caught them by surprise that China has held out this long over this issue. I think this deal has a chance of being revived if the Russians can offer a transport with better price/performance ratio than what SAC is capable of. PLAAF may still order 20 of the so called IL-476 if the price does not get out of hand. Either way, this is one deal that will forever harm the Chinese/Russian military relationship.
Sources : http://china-pla.blogspot.com
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Post Last Edit by HangPC2 at 16-11-2009 11:54
China's Aviation Industry Since 1951
Available Oct 2008
Shrouded in secrecy, output from the Chinese aviation industry was, until recently, largely unknown in the West.
In the 1950s, when communist China and the Soviet Union were on friendly terms the Soviet Union assisted in the setting up of the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) by delivering combat aircraft and training Chinese personnel.
Following the 1960s rift between Moscow and Beijing, the Chinese authorities set up an indigenous aircraft industry and as they gained experience, versions of Soviet aircraft started appearing together with their own designs.
Chinese Aircraft provides a full description of all aircraft types including, amongst others, the Shaanxi Y8, the Chengdu JF-17 (FC-1) light fighter which is now entering service with the Pakistan Air Force, the Shenyang J-10 and the KJ-2000 AWACS aircraft based on the Il'yushin IL-76. It also details the factories and design institutions representing the industry over the years including, Chengdu, Guizhou, Shenyang, Xian and Chiange and compares early and late designs to show how those organisations developed.
A special section deals with experimental types and the latest research and development whilst further sections are devoted to aircraft weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles and Chinese aircraft exports on a country by country basis.
For the first time, numerous colour profiles and three view drawings are illustrated together with logos of the production enterprises and design institutions to form a comprehensive guide to Chinese aircraft and Chinas aviation industry.
Written by Yefim Gordon and Dimitriy Kommissarov.
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Transportation: Chinese turboprop gets ready for takeoff
Last Updated(Beijing Time):2008-06-26 09:09
Final checks are made to an MA600 aircraft on Sunday, at a hangar in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. Courtesy of AVIC I.
The MA600, a new aircraft to join China's turboprop fleet, is expected to roll off the assembly line in Xi'an on Sunday.
This latest MA "Modern Ark" member could be the stepping stone to China gaining a larger share of the world's turboprop aircraft market, insiders said.
Currently, the 50- to 60-seat MA60, the first and only model of the MA series on sale, has received 122 orders since 2005, mainly from African and East Asian countries.
"To assure a bigger slice of the turboprop market, the MA600 is designed to meet demand for the next 10 years," Chen Fusheng, deputy director general of the commercial aircraft department of AVIC I, said yesterday.
Engineers have optimized the aircraft's structure and its aviation electronics system, improved the interior decoration, and added maritime survival functions for island countries, He Shengqiang, chief engineer and vice-president of Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company Ltd under AVIC I, said.
"The total weight of the MA600 is 300 kg less than the MA60, further reducing the aircraft's fuel consumption," He said.
The MA600 is set to begin trials in September and will be delivered to its first customer - the Civil Aviation Fight University of China in Guanghan, Sichuan province - next year, He said.
AVIC I has drawn up an ambitious blueprint for its MA series, which will be comparable to the Canadian Bombardier and the French ATR aircraft.
Chen said: "We hope to see that 40 percent of all turboprop aircraft delivered in the world in 2018 are from the MA series."
To remain competitive in the years after 2018, AVIC I has already started work on the development of the MA700, an aircraft mainly targeted at markets in Europe and America, Chen said.
The entire series - MA60, MA600 and MA700 - will coexist to cater to the different demands of customers, he said.
"Turboprops have huge potential in this era of increasing oil prices," Chen said.
Turboprop aircraft use much less fuel than equivalent turbojets produced by Boeing and Airbus, and are just as safe as turbojets, he said.
"Some of our airline customers abroad have reported profits in the first quarter after they replaced turbojets with the MA60," he said.
Joint research by Bombardier and the Aviation Industry Development Research Center of China, found that of the 5,300-5,500 regional aircraft need in the next two decades, there will be a need for 1,900 turboprop aircraft.
- China Daily -
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Menace of the growing red fleet
August 23, 2008
AS the gleaming Great White Fleet of the US Navy sailed into Sydney Harbour 100 years ago this week, Australia was given the first glimpse of its own strategic future.
"When the fleet entered the Pacific we remarked that the centre of gravity of sea power had changed," The Sydney Morning Herald observed. "What the future of the Pacific is to be only the future can disclose (but) it is likely enough that America may become our first line of defence against Asia." Two world wars and one Cold War later, there is still a powerful ring of truth to these prophetic words. The US Navy still rules the waves across the vast Pacific Ocean and the US fleet, in a time of crisis, would be pivotal to Australia's ability to repel a regional aggressor.
But just as the Great White Fleet symbolised the rise of American naval power, the strategic balance in the Pacific a century later is being tested by a new player.
The slow, steady rise of China as a maritime power is increasingly concentrating the minds of defence planners in Washington and Canberra as they try to gauge its significance and weigh its implications for the region. The latest and most stunning example of China's expanding naval ambitions in the Pacific is the recent confirmation of a new underground nuclear submarine base near Sanya, on Hainan Island off China's southern coast.
Western intelligence agencies have been trying to glean information about the construction of Sanya for years because the new base says much about China's ambitions to create a genuine blue water navy that can project power well beyond China's shores and throughout the Pacific.
Sanya is reportedly being fitted out with underground berths for up to 20 advanced submarines and has facilities to house several aircraft carriers that China does not yet own. "China's nuclear and naval build-up at Sanya underlines Beijing's desire to assert tight control over this region," according to the respected defence journal Jane's Defence Weekly.
"This development, so close to the Southeast Asian sea lanes so vital to the economies of Asia, can only cause concern far beyond these straits."
Concern in Australian defence circles about China's naval expansion is real and rising but it is also kept firmly behind closed doors. While politicians and diplomats speak glowingly about Australia's relations with China, the burgeoning trade links and shared interests, a small team of defence planners in Canberra is planning how best to handle China's naval challenge to the region. The new defence white paper to be released at the end of the year will be framed with China's naval expansion prominent in the minds of the authors. "I don't think there is any serious view in the Australian defence establishment that Australia somehow needs to be prepared to face China single-handedly," says Rory Medcalf, director of international security at Sydney's Lowy Institute for International Policy.
"The question is, would we be called upon to assist in some sort of contingency, and what would we contribute?"
In Washington there is also much debate about how to deal with China's naval ambitions, including ways to strengthen co-operation and trust between the two navies. So far there has been little progress.
"The US-China naval partnership remains weak," Medcalf says. "The US Pacific Command's early efforts to draw Beijing into co-operation and transparency - such as naval exercises, visits and dialogue - have struggled. China last year cancelled US ship visits to Hong Kong to show disapproval over US Tibet and Taiwan policies. This reinforced US mistrust. And China remains deeply suspicious of American intent."
But what is China's naval intent? Is it merely trying to build a capability to better defend its coastline, or is it seeking to challenge the power balance in the Pacific?
A US congressional report on the modernisation of the Chinese navy last month concluded that Beijing's near-term focus was to "field a force that can succeed in a short-duration conflict with Taiwan and act as an anti-access force to deter US intervention or delay the arrival of US forces". "Longer-term goals of China's naval modernisation include asserting China's regional military leadership and protecting China's maritime territorial, economic and energy interests," it says. In late 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao declared that his country wanted a powerful navy to protect the country's interests "at any time". "In the process of protecting the nation's authority and security and maintaining our maritime rights, the navy's role is very important. It is a glorious task," he said.
But beyond this, China has been opaque about the extent and purpose of its naval build-up. Beijing has used much of its double-digit defence outlays during the past 15 years to purchase potent surface ships, submarines and weapons. It is developing homegrown warship designs and is assumed to have a desire for aircraft carriers.
China has more than 50 submarines, the potential threat of which was underlined in October 2006 when a Chinese Song-class attack submarine surfaced unexpectedly in close proximity to the USS Kitty Hawk carrier battle group in international waters near Okinawa. But official statements about the purpose of China's future nuclear submarine force are all but non-existent.
So far, the growth in China's naval assets has not been matched by a commensurate growth in Chinese naval activity in the Pacific. The US Navy says Chinese submarines conducted only six patrols last year: a record, but hardly comparable to the US submarine force, which musters more than 100 patrols a year. At present China's submarine fleet is used almost exclusively as a coastal defence force but Washington suspects the ultimate aim is to develop a near-continuous sea-based force of nuclear-armed submarines that would pose serious dangers for the US Pacific fleet. The Lowy Institute this week held a symposium on maritime security co-operation in Asia, and Medcalf says there was broad consensus that China wants a serious blue water capability and "that it is not just about Taiwan".
"It is inconceivable that China will continue to accept the security of its (commercial) sea lanes to the Gulf and elsewhere being outsourced to the US and Indian navies," Medcalf says.
But Jonathan Pollack, professor of Asian and Pacific studies at the US Naval War College, told The Australian this week that while China would become a much more potent military force, it was unlikely to be provocative. "For all the shiny new (military) systems they are acquiring, China has not gone to war for 30 years," he says. "I don't see (it) as a kind of budding overlord."
So how is the US tailoring its naval strategy in response to the burgeoning Chinese navy at a time when the size of its own navy has shrunk from almost 600 ships during the Cold War to about 300 today? Last October, in the first significant revision of US naval strategy in 25 years, naval chiefs implied they would focus on carrots rather than sticks, emphasising the importance of international co-operation and collective security as a way to prevent misunderstandings. China was not mentioned by name but the implication was clear.
"Although our forces can surge when necessary to respond to crises, trust and co-operation cannot be surged," says the policy, entitled A Co-operative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower.
For Australia's navy, the rise of China will not have implications for the basic structure of the fleet, which is largely predetermined for the next two decades with the planned additions of new air warfare destroyers, amphibious ships and, eventually, subs.
The question will be at the margins: the extent to which it drives closer ties between our navy and the US Pacific fleet, and how Australia seeks to engage China's navy beyond the modest maritime co-operation program that exists. This includes periodic ship visits and participation by China last year in a search and rescue exercise with Australian and New Zealand navy ships in the Tasman Sea. Whatever transpires, today's Great White Fleet of the US and its naval allies will increasingly be engaged by the slow rise of what might one day be dubbed the great red fleet.
Sources : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au
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First Chinese Carrier Aviators
September 19, 2008: China announced that its first class of carrier aviators had begun training at the Dalian Naval Academy. The naval officers will undergo a four year course of instruction to turn them into fighter pilots capable of operating off a carrier. China already has an airfield, in the shape of a carrier deck, built at an inland facility. The Russians have warned China that it may take them a decade or more to develop the knowledge and skills needed to efficiently run an aircraft carrier. The Chinese are game, and are slogging forward.
Earlier this year, the Russian aircraft carrier Varyag was renamed the Shi Lang (after the Chinese general who took possession of Taiwan in 1681, the first time China ever paid any attention to the island) and given the pennant number 83. The Chinese have been refurbishing the Varyag, one of the Kuznetsov class that Russia began building in the 1980s, for several years now. It is expected to be ready for sea trials by the end of the year.
The Varyag has been tied up in a Chinese shipyard at Dailan since 2002. While the ship is under guard, it can be seen from a nearby highway. From that vantage point, local military and naval buffs have noted that some kind of work is being done on the ship. The only visible signs of this work are a new paint job (in the gray shade used by the Chinese navy) and ongoing work on the superstructure (particularly the tall island on the flight deck.) Many workers can be seen on the ship, and material is seen going into (new stuff) and out of (old stuff) the ship. The new contracts are believed to be for more equipment for the Varyag, in addition to the non-custom stuff already going into the ship.
Originally the Kuznetsovs were conceived of as 90,000 ton, nuclear powered ships, similar to American carriers (complete with steam catapults). Instead, because of the cost, and the complexity of modern (American style) carriers, the Russians were forced to scale back their goals, and ended up with the 65,000 ton (full load ) ships that lacked steam catapults, and used a ski jump type flight deck instead. Nuclear power was dropped, but the Kuznetsov class was still a formidable design. The thousand foot long carrier normally carries a dozen navalized Su-27s (called Su-33s), 14 Ka-27PL anti-submarine helicopters, two electronic warfare helicopters and two search and rescue helicopters. But the ship can carry up to 36 Su-33s and sixteen helicopters. The ship carries 2,500 tons of aviation fuel, allowing it to generate 500-1,000 aircraft and helicopter sorties. Crew size is 2,500 (or 3,000 with a full aircraft load.) Only two ships of this class exist; the original Kuznetsov, which is in Russian service, and the Varyag. Currently, the Kuznetsov is operating in the Mediterranean.
The Chinese have been in touch with Russian naval construction firms, and may have purchased plans and technology for equipment installed in the Kuznetsov. Some Chinese leaders have quipped about having a carrier by 2010 (this would have to be a refurbished Varyag). Even that would be an ambitious schedule, and the Chinese have been burned before when they tried to build new military technology in a hurry.
Sources: http://www.strategypage.com |
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Post Last Edit by HangPC2 at 16-11-2009 11:54
Dalian Naval Academy recruits pilot cadets for the first time
By Deng Youbiao
2008-09-05
The Dalian Naval Academy held an orientation course for the first batch of 50 newly recruited pilot cadets yesterday. The first pilot program of recruiting pilot cadets is an important decision made by the PLA Navy to realize a strategic transformation in the new period.
The first batch of pilot cadets will receive a four-year education in the ship-borne aircraft flight field of study by relying on the automation field of study of the Dalian Naval Academy. During the four years, they will focus on the basic theories of surface ship and flight apart from the basic theories and skills required in the automation field of study.
Sources: http://english.chinamil.com.cn |
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China to Launch 1st Space Walk Mission on Thursday
China will launch its third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province in the northwest on Thursday, a spokesperson with China's manned space program said on Wednesday.
The spacecraft, carrying astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, was to blast off between 9:07 p.m. and 10:27 p.m. (Beijing Time), said Wang Zhaoyao.
One of the major tasks of the mission would be extravehicular activity (EVA), or known as space walk, the first of its kind attempted by Chinese astronauts, Wang said.
The success of the task will mark a remarkable step in space exploration for China, whose long-term target is to eventually set up a space station.
Other tasks included the release of a small monitoring satellite and trials of satellite data relay, said Wang, also deputy director of China's manned space program office.
Two astronauts would enter the orbital module, where they would put on EVA spacesuits and prepare for the extravehicular activities. One astronaut would be donned with Chinese-made Feitian EVA suit and the other with a Russian Orlan suit.
"One astronaut will get out of the cabin and take back the test samples loaded outside the module," he said.
"After the EVA is completed, the spacecraft will release a small monitoring satellite. A trial of the data relay of satellite Tianlian-I will also be carried out," Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 will be launched on a Long March II-F carrier rocket and then moved into orbit at an altitude of 343 kilometers.
At 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, engineers started to load fuel into the carrier rocket. The loading, which would last for seven hours, meant that the launch is irreversible, sources with the launch center said.
Compared with the previous two manned space missions, the Shenzhou-7 faced unprecedented technical difficulties, the official said.
"EVA is a big leap for the manned space program," he said. China had made a series of technical breakthroughs, including the research and development of an EVA suit and airlock module.
Chen Shanguang, commander-in-chief of the astronaut system, told Xinhua news agency that the China-made EVA spacesuit costs 30 million yuan (US$4.40 million) and can be worn by astronauts of 160 cm to 180 cm high.
The most complicated, advanced and expensive suit in the world, the EVA spacesuit provides a pressurized atmosphere, oxygen and temperature control for the astronauts. It also protects astronauts from radiation, micrometeoroids and other harmful particles in space. It also allows astronauts to communicate with others.
Chen said China spent less than four years in developing the EVA spacesuit and its design and assembling were done by Chinese scientists independently.
During the mission, astronauts would need to assemble and test the EVA suits, depressurize and repressurize the cabin, exit and re-enter the orbital module.
"The process of extravehicular activities cannot be simulated completely on the ground and some of the newly developed products are to be tested in flight for the first time," Wang said.
"The capability and skills of the astronauts and the quality of their operations directly determine the result of the mission," Wang said.
To ensure full-time monitoring during the EVA stage, China has added more ground monitoring stations and mobilized nine tracking ships and 30 planes. "The number of systems involved in the mission is unprecedented," Wang said.
The Shenzhou-7 crew had finished their last rehearsal and a final check of the spacecraft, rocket and ground observation and control system had been completed.
The three astronauts met the press at the launch center at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Shenzhou-7 is scheduled to land in the central area of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China after its mission is completed.
In 2003, China became the third country after the United States and Russia to send a human into orbit. It followed with a two-man mission in 2005.
Founded in 1958, the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is located in the arid Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, and is China's oldest satellite launch center. The center is used to launch scientific experimental satellites and retrievable satellites at lower, medium-range and higher orbits.
 
 
 
 
 
[ Last edited by HangPC2 at 25-9-2008 09:48 PM ] |
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Post time 17-6-2008 09:48 PM
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