Chinese Stole Aircraft Carrier Design - UK / Australian Clandestine Design Acquisitions

patriotschoice (39)in #history • 6 years ago (edited)

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has long sought to develop it's naval aviation capabilities. With Western peer's either doubting the PLAN's Blue Water ability or merely ambiguous to the development, China has created a host of shadowy networks, to coverup procurement of Soviet and Western carrier technology.

From Casino, Theme Parks, Real Estate and Hotel developers into the hands of the PLAN reverse engineering teams. Each of these ship's play a role in development and training in the hands of China's Naval Aviators.

Baby Step's an underestimation of the desire of the PLAN by Western powers -

HMAS Melbourne (R21)

Before leaving for China, the Melbourne's electronic sensors and weapon systems were removed, her rudder's welded in a fixed position so the ship could not be reactivated. Her steam catapult, arresting equipment, and mirror landing system was not removed, critical systems for developing a carrier program from scratch. It was thought the Chinese Navy had little interest in carrier aviation.

It should be noted the Chinese officials knew nothing of the ship's imminent arrival to China for scrapping. As unlikely as that may seem it is a part of the cover-up officials have maintained. The PLAN claim's to have only been opportunistic of the ship's presence rather than deceitful. The reality is the ship was used for military purposes by the Chinese Navy.

1985 - 2002

Seventeen years between the time a Chinese firm acquired the ship and the time of final disposal.

What we know, it is during this time the Melbourne's angled flight deck, or replica was reconstructed and used to launch aircraft. The angled flight deck centerline is aligned with the main runway and planes were catapulted out over the salt pan and bay.

As an example of the PLAN's desire for mock up's Huludao test runway catapult.

Model aircraft carrier Shi Lang that the PLAN built at the Wuhan Naval Research facility.

Note the "building exterior and carrier roof.

With little recourse to be had by the Australian government, the PLAN had the opportunity to take advantage of nearly every system left behind. The PLAN even approached the Australian Navy for the catapult steam system blueprints which they politely declined to provide. A wake-up call to the true intentions of the PLAN.

With no blue print's and desire to learn every aspect of the vessel's operation and design, the PLAN engineering team dissected the ship piece by piece. It took the PLAN year's to dismantle the 15,000-ton vessel. The PLAN was apparently not in it for the scrap metal.

With reverse engineered steam catapults, arresting gear systems and mirror landing systems the PLAN needed an aircraft to launch. J-8IIG was developed to provide a test bed for carrier operations, laying the groundwork towards the J-15, China's current carrier aircraft. This included tail hook and structural improvements to the J-8 to withstand carrier operations.

Early and Late Model J-8's