Youre Going to the Navy OST Battleships/Морской бой2012

CV-16 Liaoning Jian Aircraft Carrier 中国人民解放军海军辽宁舰 | Chinese Navy/PLAN The carrier completed sea trials in early August 2012 and loaded Shenyang J-15 aircraft and KJ-88, YJ-83K, and YJ-91 missiles in preparation for weapons systems trials.[41] Reuters analysis suggested the role of the ship would be mostly training and evaluation ahead of the building of domestic carriers, with only a limited operational role. Flight control software, avionics, weapons and radars were yet undeveloped. Reuters reported PLA officers stating the carrier was far from operational with extensive further trials and exercises required.

On 23 September 2012, the aircraft carrier was handed over to the PLAN, and was commissioned on 25 September 2012.[43] At the commissioning ceremony, the carrier was officially named Liaoning, in honour of the province in which she was retrofitted.[24][44] On 26 December 2012, the People's Daily reported that it would take four to five years for the Liaoning to reach full capacity, mainly due to training and coordination requirements related to this being the first operational aircraft carrier in the PLAN's possession.[45] As it is currently a training ship, Liaoning is not assigned to any of China's operational fleets.[46]

On 7 April 2014, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel became the first foreign visitor to take a tour of the Liaoning during a wider trip to China to discuss cybersecurity and address China's military buildup in the East China Sea. Secretary Hagel had asked to see the ship in early 2014, and the request was accepted in advance of his arrival. Hagel and a number of his staff toured the vessel at Yuchi Naval Base, observing the medical facilities, living quarters, flight deck, bridge, and flight control station. They received a briefing about the carrier and also had refreshments with junior officers. The U.S. Department of Defense said that Secretary Hagel was pleased to visit the Liaoning and was impressed by the professionalism of the officers and crew.

During sea trials, the Liaoning once experienced a steam burst in the engine compartment which forced crew to evacuate some parts of the ship, and the ship lost power. The problem was ultimately resolved and power was restored, although the time duration of the problem has not been released by military officials.

According to geopolitical analysts, China could use Liaoning and its future carriers to intimidate other smaller countries that have territorial claims in the South China Sea, as well as extending air control further south of the disputed region.[49]

Aircraft handling[edit]
On 4 November 2012, the People's Liberation Army's website Chinese: 中国军网 reported that Shenyang J-15s had performed carrier touch-and-go training.[50][51] On 25 November 2012, China announced that J-15s had made five successful arrested landings on Liaoning.[52][53][54][55] In June 2013, a second round of flight tests began on board Liaoning, with personnel from the fleet air arm of the Brazilian Navy providing carrier training support to the PLAN.

In August 2014, based on an article from Chinese state media, western news outlets reported that two pilots had been killed testing jets slated to operate from Liaoning.[58][59] Chinese military officials stated such reports were misleading, and clarified that deaths were in fact unrelated with tests on the carrier.[60][61] The original Chinese article from Xinhua also did not link the deaths with the J-15 nor mention any loss of such aircraft.[62]

In August 2014, the Chinese-language Shanghai Morning Post listed that Liaoning would carry 36 aircraft: 24 Shenyang J-15 fighters; 6 Changhe Z-18F anti-submarine warfare ASW helicopters; 4 Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning helicopters; and 2 Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopters. The Chinese carrier aircraft inventory is similar to a balanced combat and support aircraft approach intended for Soviet aircraft carriers, which supported nuclear submarines, large surface combatants, and land-based strike bombers performing anti-access roles. The air wing lacks long-range radar and anti-submarine fixed-wing aircraft, needing support from shore-based aircraft such as Tupolev Tu-154 ASW and Shaanxi Y-8 AWACS aircraft. The U.S. Department of Defense noted that J-15s will have below normal range and armament when operating from the carrier, due to limits imposed by the ski-jump takeoff system.[63] The lack of a carrier onboard delivery aircraft like the United States Navy USN Grumman C-2 Greyhound also limits logistics capabilities. Liaoning would need extensive land-based support to oppose a USN carrier strike group; however, it would be potent against the Vietnam People's Navy and the Philippine Navy. Deficiencies will likely be corrected with future aircraft carriers, which are expected to be larger with conventional takeoff decks and catapult launching for heavier fighters, plus fixed-wing radar and anti-submarine patrol aircraft. - Steve Jablonsky Youre Going to the Navy OST Battleships/Морской бой2012