Okay, fair point.
I'm not willing to assume that the Chinese don't have well-developed high power density reactors. That's all math and engineering, and 1.2bn people means you can find the best mathematicians and engineers.
Not sure I believe that, since the Nimitz and Fords can handle 90 airframes at "F-14 or bigger" sizes.
Just make a new thread once more info comes out, Type 004 is significantly different from anything else, and IMO should deserve its own thread.
Type "005" is rumored to be a gas turbine–powered carrier using Integrated Electric Propulsion, and it’ll probably come in a bit larger than the Type 003 at around 90,000 tons. It’s likely going to run on four QC500 gas turbines, each putting out about 50 MW, and interestingly, they’ve got a rare dual-output shaft design that lets them drive load from both ends. With additional diesel powerplant(~4*20MW maybe?), my personal speculation is that Type "005" could sustain peak output of ~280MW total, it should be enough to drive a 90kt carrier at 30+ knots while fully utilizing the onboard EMALS. If these rumors are true, it looks like the PLAN is going for a high-low carrier mix, similar to what they’re doing with submarines, fighter jets, and destroyers already. In that setup, the bigger and more expensive nuclear-powered Type 004s would take the lead on global missions, while Type "005"s would handle regional power projection, quick response tasks, and be much cheaper and faster to build. IMO, we might see over 10 of these built, with Type 004s staying more limited with maybe around 6 to 8 in total for a combined carrier fleet of 16-18. Type 076 is actually rumored to be a "testbed" for technologies that this new Type "005" would use like IEPS in large ships using combined gas turbine/diesel generators and probably the onboard integrated electrical system with EMALS as well.
IMO, we'll have to wait for more info. JN build its carriers differently than DL, JN uses large prefabbed modules while DL uses the tower method so JN's new carrier would take longer to be laid down in drydock but would have faster construction time once laid down. If JN's new carrier is legit and started prefabbing modules right now we could foreseeably see signs in drydocks perhaps early-mid next year.
Right now, we can only wait until more info is released on JN's new ship. If it indeed turns out to be a new design with GT-IEP then PLAN might actually be pivoting to a hi-low mix of carriers, if JN's ship turns out to be a 003 sistership or 003 mod then PLAN most likely will continue with pure nuclear afterwards.
We know pretty sure the DL mystery ship have a max beam of 43.8m if I recall correctly. Ford class have a beam of 40.8m and w/l length of 317m hence l/b ratio of 7.77, if Type 004 has similar l/b ratio as the Ford/Nimitz which is pretty likely we could estimate 340.3m w/l for Type 004. Recent estimate/rumor says max draft estimate is ~12.5m but if we take 12m of the Ford's then assume a modest block coefficient of 0.65 we could calculate: 12*340.3*43.8*1.025*0.65=119,169 tons full displacement. If we assume a more conservative estimate then probably 110kts approx.
I mean right now from what could be observed Type 004 will be larger ie. 43m beam, 83 deck width etc. But it doesn't rule out the unlikely scenario that 004 will be extremely short for some reason. Real displacement can only be confirmed once the entire ship is laid out so we could get a real value for length.
Highly unlikely. The only reason ships have ended up short is treaties that limited total displacement (witness the South Dakota class BBs right before the Iowa class).
That may actually be an improvement, since this means the loader carts don't need a tug to move them anymore.
Don't forget the J-15Ts
Fingers crossed carrier quals go well, with zero accidents.
