International Chinese Naval Power

[Limeade]

Recent story about a potrntial new smaller class of Chinese aircraft carrier. The author thinks it may represent a dual purpose vessel that can perform civilian functions but be converted to military functions. For example, a coastal patrol police vehicle one day but then turned into a drone launching carrier at a moment's notice.


Earlier this year we also saw China launch the Fujian aircraft carrier. It's a full size carrier for its fifth generation aircraft. So it makes sense to supplement that platform with smaller drone carriers.

I wonder how the West will react. The United States should be able to react with its own carriers and F35s fifth generation aircraft superiority, and ground based air defense. But the American military must overcome supply chain issues and delayed production of the Ford-class carriers. I think we can meet these challenges but we have to be focused on our strategy. We can't be distracted with political theater like Tubberville holding up the command chain or wasting our time and money on dead end projects like the Littoral Combat Ship or not ordering enough pants for the Navy uniform.

 

[SandisLL]

If you have aircraft carrier, such ships usually are used together with group of ships: like submarines, frigates, supply ships etc stuff.

So by logic for carrier they should have also these in order to form group with carrier.

 

[Rob Battisti]

One question I always have is can thousands of tiny drones be effective against 5th gen fighters by acting almost like a cloud? I know planes can be susceptible to bird strikes. Wouldn’t this be the same?

Couldn’t you deploy thousands of cheap drones to simply hang in the air and be unavoidable to incoming aircraft?

@GhostZ06

 

[Rob Battisti]

ChatGPT says this is a very good defense idea. Get DARPA on the line!

 

[KaNesDeath]

Couldn’t you deploy thousands of cheap drones to simply hang in the air and be unavoidable to incoming aircraft?

Altitude, speed and distance they can operate at doesnt make this a viable strategy.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Altitude, speed and distance they can operate at doesnt make this a viable strategy.

That’s a good point. There has to be a way to deploy drones in a cloud swarm at high altitude though.

 

[KaNesDeath]

That’s a good point. There has to be a way to deploy drones in a cloud swarm at high altitude though.

What state do you live in?

 

[Rob Battisti]

What state do you live in?

Texas

 

[Limeade]

One question I always have is can thousands of tiny drones be effective against 5th gen fighters by acting almost like a cloud? I know planes can be susceptible to bird strikes. Wouldn’t this be the same?

Couldn’t you deploy thousands of cheap drones to simply hang in the air and be unavoidable to incoming aircraft?

@GhostZ06

I imagine a Phanlanx CIWS would their that drone cloud to shred in seconds?

 

[KaNesDeath]

Texas

Im in NY.

Imagine im doing a bombing run on you with a 5th generation fighter that can operate at upwards of 50,000 feet. Amount of drones needed to fill such an air space volume around Texas would be impossible.

 

[Cole train]

Altitude, speed and distance they can operate at doesnt make this a viable strategy.

Altitude is fine (f 35 has max altitide of 50k feet,RQ 4 global hawk drone can go up to 60k feet)
speed and distance and amount needed is problem

Not to mention drone that can go that high prob wont be cheap lol

 

[PeterGriffin]

Texas

Lmfao, I just knew this was going to be the answer.

 

[BluntForceTrama]

they’re trying to become a blue navy

Trying

 

[PEB]

One question I always have is can thousands of tiny drones be effective against 5th gen fighters by acting almost like a cloud? I know planes can be susceptible to bird strikes. Wouldn’t this be the same?

Couldn’t you deploy thousands of cheap drones to simply hang in the air and be unavoidable to incoming aircraft?

@GhostZ06

No the altitude would completely make drones useless. Jets like the F-35 have a service celling above 40,000 feet.

 

[KaNesDeath]

If you have aircraft carrier, such ships usually are used together with group of ships: like submarines, frigates, supply ships etc stuff.

From my understanding Chinas naval strength is only impressive on paper. For most of it is repurposed small commercial ships. Who dont have the logistical support to operate outside of Chinese waters.

 

[Osculater]

That’s a good point. There has to be a way to deploy drones in a cloud swarm at high altitude though.

Like a weather balloon LOL

 

[Fossor]

Ukrainians obliterated half of Russia's Black Sea fleet with sea drones. Their entire fleet is now essentially useless and parked at the far end of the sea.

 

[SandisLL]

From my understanding Chinas naval strength is only impressive on paper. For most of it is repurposed small commercial ships. Who dont have the logistical support to operate outside of Chinese waters.

I think they more are playing bully type mental pressure attempt.

Aircraft carrier should be supported with group of air def and anti sub def type frigates or large corvetes and smaller ships plus supply ships and submarines.
So in order to deploy enough protected carrier with real group with carrier alone is not enough.
Ofc China now does have vassal in Russia and therefore .. .in real life even NK and this Iran and Belarus too.

 

[Sweater of AV]

 

[Dalarna3]

They are still a ways away from being able to really project power.