How long will it take for the Sichuan aircraft carrier to be commissioned?
After the official announcement of the Fujian aircraft carrier joining the fleet, the first sea trial mission of China's first 076-class amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has also been announced.
According to Xinhua News Agency, on November 14, the 076-class amphibious assault ship Sichuan set out to a certain sea area for a sea trial mission.
About the time required from the sea trials to the final commissioning of the Sichuan, the cycle may fall between that of the Fujian and the 075-class amphibious assault ships. A reasonable estimate is about one to one and a half years.
On one hand, the key technologies such as electromagnetic catapults used by the Sichuan are the same as those of the Fujian. Moreover, the Fujian has successfully completed electromagnetic catapult takeoff and arrested landing tests for multiple types of carrier-based aircraft, providing mature verification experience for the Sichuan, which can effectively shorten its testing and exploration period.
On the other hand, the Sichuan, equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, is different from traditional amphibious assault ships. Its core application scenario is expected to focus on taking off and landing drones rather than heavy carrier-based aircraft.
Therefore, the Sichuan needs to complete strict verification of the electromagnetic catapult system and its aircraft compatibility, like the Fujian, which determines that its sea trial period will inevitably be longer than that of the 075-class amphibious assault ships without a catapult system.
The sea trials and upcoming commissioning of the Sichuan have far-reaching significance for the Chinese Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities and even its long-range operational system. In the future, the Sichuan can not only serve as an aviation support platform and command node integrated into the aircraft carrier group, but also independently lead an amphibious group to carry out three-dimensional landings and long-range precise strike missions, which will significantly enhance China's naval strategic deployment and deterrent capabilities.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1848733039338627/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.