What Aircraft Carriers Reveal About the Military Tech Race | WSJ U.S. vs. China

The U.S. has by far the largest aircraft-carrier fleet in the world, but China is catching up on the technology and design with its new vessel–the Fujian. The U.S.’s new Gerald R. Ford carrier holds several advantages over Beijing’s best carrier including a larger range and better ability to detect smaller targets, but the Fujian is catching up in some areas including its launch system for aircrafts.

WSJ compares the two superpowers’ best military ships to understand their strategic goals.

Illustration: Reshad Malekzai

0:00 The race for the most advanced maritime force
0:30 Aircraft carrier history
2:13 Location of China’s Fujian
2:58 Fujian’s size, crew and weight
3:55 Launch and landing system
5:46 How the carriers are powered

U.S. vs. China
This original video series explores the rivalry between the two superpowers’ competing efforts to develop the technologies that are reshaping our world.

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[royshaul]

Speaking as retired US Navy and having spent 8 years on carriers …. there is far more to effective carrier operations than simply specs on a data sheet.
The biggest advantage, and most important imo, the US has over China is experience. All of our systems have been tested for decades, new systems are designed with decades of research and experience to draw on, our crews are at sea every day of the year across the globe. Our carrier groups are well oiled machine.
We know what works.

[gabbot]

3:24 "The larger the hull, the volume inside grows geometrically "

*Every 60 seconds in Africa a minute passes*

[kristinaF]

How smartly you use what you have (strategy and tactics) will always beat a greater force (like David versus Goliath). That's why greater focus on training in both army and navy academies is SO important. Advanced hardware capabilities are important yes, but without well-trained, strategic, outside-of-the-box thinkers, that advanced capability can be easily lost on the battlefield against a foe who may posses better training (more tools in the mental toolbox). And training is the least cost when compared to the price of military or naval hardware.

[johnanon]

Both vessels won't get into head to head combat in the near future. In a Taiwan scenario, Fujian will stay under land-based airforce's protection, and support/guide area denial missiles. Ford is also likely to stay behind Japanese island chain and protect cargos in and out of Taiwan. Neither sides can risk losing one airplane carrier.

[whosyourdaddy]

the video didn't mention anything about the EMALS system the two ships use. Fu Jian uses DC powered EMALS, whereas Ford uses AC. This is a big difference. These two ships are nothing alike beside basic shapes.

[matthew]

Why does everyone forget about the real reason carriers are powerful. It is the ability to launch airplanes and the capability of the airplanes greatly affects it's power.

[TheFlutecart]

Carriers rely on a dedicated and experienced crew for flight ops. It takes decades to build that kind of knowledge and training. You have to build a professional culture around it. That's not the way the Chinese or the Russians do things. It takes one mishap to shut down the deck and the ability to launch and recover aircraft. The US Navy has been in training and development of flight ops since before WW2, I've seen a carrier flight deck crash first hand and it's a nightmare, but our sailors are so well trained for just such an incident. We trained like we meant it, serious business. It took decades and countless mishaps just to get the training right. I guess my point is that you can't just build one of these and put to sea with newbies and expect anything but a horror show.

[HTV-_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

I think they are both cool. But remember China doesn't specialize in aircraft carriers, they specialize in missiles and rocket systems which are made to sink them.

[NYRM]

My monitor underwater drone has completed all sea trials with flying colors. The Chinese Navy has no chance against my drone

[pauldegregorio]

If our carriers had big yellow smiley faces on them…the Chinese carriers would do the same.🙂

[wheeliewheelie]

We need big planes that can carry lots of boats. They're called boat carriers.

[velavanlaack]

It’s not about the capability, it’s about with or without it. The big countries use these ships to bargain for greater interest

[WTH]

Missing here:
- enough docks to service a fleet
- aircraft complement size and mix of aircraft
- open ocean flying experience
- operations tactics and training
- construction quality
- aircraft quality and capability
- logistics support, China has none
- support ships to resupply fuel, food, ordnance, etc
- fleet ships to defend the carrier
- and more

[sblack]

You are forgetting the competence of the pilots and ground crews. The whole purpose of a carrier is to launch and recover aircraft and to have them capable of fighting. You can have the best carriers in the world, but it will only as good as the pilots. Can they land at night? Can they land on a pitching deck? Can they combine both? Can they fight? The Americans can

[dannydunzo]

0:18 dude checking his watch while in formation always cracks me up

[MooMoo-lwvw]

China has 10 years history in operating aircraft carriers. Any comparison should only be made come 2030 or post that. 🤯

[lilysceesawjeanmoonlight]

All countries urgently need to express peace through diplomacy

[vincentyeaman]

How well you train your men, and women. From operations, to damage control.. Years of experience in the Navy, operators of equipment, devises.. experience helps, green crew...make my day.

[michaelwoods]

In Dec, 1942, the US had trouble getting three fleet carriers together for Midway. In 1945, there were 11 off Okinawa, and another 19 light carriers and escort carriers. All had a full complement of aircraft and pilots. Who supposes we can't do it again?

[dapooramericanhomesteadfar]

USA does have mini aircraft carrier. It's specialized in drones. It's cheaper, lighter and more mobile. They are supposed to be the first line of defense to the main aircraft carrier because of it's mobility and price.