preface
An aircraft carrier is a large warship capable of carrying, taking off and landing and directing aircraft at sea, it is an important part of the modern navy and a symbol of a country's maritime power. The power system of the aircraft carrier is one of the key factors determining its performance and combat effectiveness, which affects the speed, range, maneuverability and endurance of the aircraft carrier.
Aircraft carriers of different countries use different types of power systems, such as nuclear power, steam power, gas power, diesel power, etc., which have their own advantages and disadvantages, and also reflect the differences and development levels of aircraft carrier technology of various countries.
United States: Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers dominate
The United States has the largest, most advanced and most powerful aircraft carriers in the world, with a total of 11 active aircraft carriers, of which 10 are Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and 1 is a Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers use two nuclear reactors, each capable of delivering 140 megawatts (about 188,000 horsepower) of power to drive four steam turbines and four propellers. Thus, the total power of the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is 280 MW (about 376,000 horsepower), and the maximum speed can reach 30 knots (about 55.6 km / h).
The United States chose nuclear power as the main power system of its aircraft carriers, which has the following advantages:
Nuclear power can provide a continuous and stable high power output, allowing aircraft carriers to sail at high speeds for long periods of time without fuel restrictions.
Nuclear power can save a lot of fuel space and weight, allowing aircraft carriers to carry more aircraft, weapons and equipment, and improve their combat capabilities and efficiency.
Nuclear power can reduce reliance on logistical supplies, allowing carriers to operate missions far from home and friendly bases, enhancing their strategic delivery capabilities and global reach.
Nuclear power can reduce environmental pollution, allowing aircraft carriers to avoid adverse effects when performing missions such as humanitarian relief.
Of course, nuclear power also has some disadvantages:
Nuclear power is very expensive to build and maintain, making the overall cost of aircraft carriers much higher than other types of warships.
Nuclear power requires highly complex and sophisticated technology and equipment, making the design and manufacture of aircraft carriers very difficult, requiring long-term research and development and testing.
There are certain safety risks in nuclear power, and if a nuclear leak or nuclear accident occurs, it may cause serious casualties and environmental damage, and may also trigger international disputes and public opinion pressure.
Russia: Steam-powered aircraft carriers are in trouble
Russia is a country that inherited the Soviet Union's aircraft carrier technology and traditions, and currently has only one active aircraft carrier, the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. The carrier uses a steam power system with four high-pressure boilers and two GTZA-674 steam turbines with a power of 50,000 horsepower each. Thus, the carrier has a total power of 100,000 horsepower and a maximum speed of up to 29 knots (about 53.7 km / h).
Russia chose steam power as the main power system of its aircraft carriers for several reasons:
Steam power is a mature technology that has been mastered and applied in the Soviet era, with high reliability and stability.
Steam power can provide large stand-alone power, allowing the aircraft carrier to achieve high speed and maneuverability.
Steam power can use inferior fuel, allowing the carrier to operate normally despite inadequate or poor fuel supply.
However, steam power also has some problems:
The long start-up time of steam power, slow power response, and slow acceleration are not conducive to rapid response and adjustment of aircraft carriers in emergency situations.
The large size and heavy weight of steam power take up a lot of space and load on the aircraft carrier, limiting the number and variety of aircraft, weapons and equipment it can carry.
Steam-powered pipeline equipment is complex, cumbersome to repair and maintain, and requires a large amount of personnel and material input, which increases the operating costs and risks of aircraft carriers.
At present, Russia's only active aircraft carrier, the Kuznetsov, has been in service for almost 30 years, has undergone many repairs and modifications, but still has frequent failures and accidents, and can no longer meet the needs of modern naval warfare. Although Russia has plans to build a new aircraft carrier, due to economic, technical, political and other difficulties, there is no substantial progress at present.
China: Steam-powered aircraft carriers move toward independent innovation
China is one of the newest countries in the world to have an aircraft carrier, with two active aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong. Both carriers use steam power systems with four TB-12 (or domestically improved) steam turbines and eight booster boilers. Thus, the combined power of the two carriers is 200,000 horsepower (or 240,000 horsepower) and the maximum speed can reach 31 knots (or 32 knots) (about 57.4 km / h or 59.3 km / h).
China's choice of steam power as the main power system of its active aircraft carrier is mainly based on the following considerations: steam power is the original power system of the Liaoning aircraft carrier purchased by China from Ukraine, and China has used this technology when transforming and upgrading it to ensure the smooth delivery and use of the aircraft carrier.
Steam power is China's starting point in aircraft carrier technology, and on the basis of borrowing and absorbing foreign experience, China has carried out independent innovation and improvement, improved the performance and reliability of aircraft carriers, and laid the foundation for subsequent aircraft carrier development.
Steam power is China's best choice under the current conditions, although China has mastered nuclear power technology, but does not have enough experience and confidence in the field of aircraft carriers, and nuclear power also has some risks and challenges, so China has no plans to adopt nuclear aircraft carriers for the time being.
Nevertheless, steam power has some limitations:
The low efficiency of steam power and high fuel consumption limit the range of aircraft carriers and require frequent resupply and maintenance.
The noise of steam power is large and the electromagnetic interference is strong, which reduces the stealth and anti-interference ability of the aircraft carrier and is easy to be detected and attacked by the enemy.
The backward technical level of steam power and limited development potential affect the competitiveness and future of aircraft carriers, and it is difficult to adapt to the needs of naval warfare in the new situation.
China is currently building its third and first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 003, or Fujian, which is rumored to use gas turbines as its main powertrain, a more advanced, efficient and environmentally friendly technology than steam power. If successfully applied to aircraft carriers, it will open up new space and possibilities for China's aircraft carrier development.
epilogue
The level of aircraft carrier horsepower is an important indicator and factor, which affects the strategic layout, combat capability and global influence of navies. The United States dominates with its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, Russia is in trouble with its steam-powered aircraft carriers, and China is moving towards independent innovation with its steam-powered aircraft carriers.
The competition in the level of aircraft carrier horsepower is also a competition in national strength and technical level, as well as a competition in national interests and security. We expect that China's aircraft carrier industry will continue to make new progress and breakthroughs, and make greater contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, building a maritime power and world peace