@zoidberg2005 Yeah, and so does the US Marines on our small through deck carriers (USN has 21 carriers if you add them in, and we should).
But that is because they are STOVL aircraft. They use their hover jets on takeoff. A MiG or SU-33 are good at low speed handling, but they're not better than a Harrier.
The main thing is that if you want more bombs and missiles further inland where they can do some good, you need big planes, with a catapult to get them airborn.
Currently Kuznetsov carries the Su-33 for air defense, the Su-25UTG for training, the Ka-27 for ASW, SAR and transport and the Ka-31 for AEW. She doesn't carry MiG's at the moment but there's plan to acquire 24 of these in K and KUB variants to augment or fully replace ageing Sukhois. Anyway, Kuznetsov is planned to go to the dry dock before the end of 2012 for major modernization. She should return to service in 2017.
With a catapult, they could also carry a wider variety of aircraft. From what I've read, the only planes carried are the Su-33, Su-25, and the Mig-29. Does anyone know what they do for an airborne early warning aircraft?
@zoidberg2005 Yeah, and so does the US Marines on our small through deck carriers (USN has 21 carriers if you add them in, and we should).
But that is because they are STOVL aircraft. They use their hover jets on takeoff. A MiG or SU-33 are good at low speed handling, but they're not better than a Harrier.
The main thing is that if you want more bombs and missiles further inland where they can do some good, you need big planes, with a catapult to get them airborn.
weirdguy564 4 days ago
@weirdguy564
The Brits did it with the Harrier and the carriers, but now they are both out of commission.
At least in the British navy.
zoidberg2005 2 weeks ago
@zoidberg2005 In theory. However, the carrier is going into dry dock for 2012 and one of the upgrades is.....wait for it....a catapult.
Nobody wants a carrier that cannot launch fully loaded combat aircraft.
weirdguy564 2 weeks ago
@capespring
That launch ramp negates the need for steam catapult, and there for lower weight and less crew is needed for the carrier.
zoidberg2005 1 month ago
@rsmoove2000 Major modernization in 2012-2017 Russia has plan to upgrade Kuznetsov with catapults
xsf908 1 month ago
Russia navy says MIG-29 will replace those SU-33
xsf908 1 month ago
@nikola281 Thanks!
rsmoove2000 2 months ago
@rsmoove2000
They use the Ka-31 helicopters for AEW role.
Currently Kuznetsov carries the Su-33 for air defense, the Su-25UTG for training, the Ka-27 for ASW, SAR and transport and the Ka-31 for AEW. She doesn't carry MiG's at the moment but there's plan to acquire 24 of these in K and KUB variants to augment or fully replace ageing Sukhois. Anyway, Kuznetsov is planned to go to the dry dock before the end of 2012 for major modernization. She should return to service in 2017.
nikola281 2 months ago
With a catapult, they could also carry a wider variety of aircraft. From what I've read, the only planes carried are the Su-33, Su-25, and the Mig-29. Does anyone know what they do for an airborne early warning aircraft?
rsmoove2000 2 months ago
@capespring: no steam catapult = no problems with steam catapult (malfunction) and less personell required.
bunaplaste 2 months ago