South Korea to review aircraft carrier plans
CVX aircraft carrier models from two developers. In the foreground - from DSME, behind - from HHI
South Korea is about to design and build its first aircraft carrier. According to earlier plans, it will be a light class ship with aviation group of limited sizes. However, now the possibility of changing the terms of reference and the subsequent development of a larger ship is not excluded. Appropriate decisions will be made before the end of this year.
First South Korean
The fundamental possibility of building their own aircraft carrier for the Republic of Korea Navy has been discussed for a long time, but without real results. Only in February 2021, the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Procurement Program Administration (DAPA) made the appropriate decision and approved the program for the development and construction of an aircraft carrier.
The program under the CVX code provides for the creation of a light-class aircraft carrier with a total displacement of 30 tons. The full-scale development of the new ship was planned to begin no later than 2022. In the middle of the decade, construction was to begin, and the delivery of the finished ship was planned for 2033.
At the time of the start of the CVX program, the cost of developing the project and building the ship was estimated at 2,03 trillion won (1,87 billion US dollars). In the future, plans were adjusted, and the program went up to 2,6 trillion won (2,34 billion dollars). In addition, about 3 trillion won (2,7 billion dollars) were going to be spent on the purchase of aviation equipment - 20 carrier-based fighters and 8 helicopters .
Aircraft carrier CVX from DSME. Left - section of the hull with a hangar deck
In June 2021, the leading South Korean shipbuilding enterprises showed two preliminary projects of the CVX aircraft carrier at one of the exhibitions. It is curious that already at this stage both projects went beyond the established framework. So, one ship had an estimated displacement of 45 thousand tons, the second - 60 thousand tons.
The CVX program enjoyed early support from South Korea's senior leadership, which helped drive its progress. However, in March 2022, the president changed in the country. The new head of state, Yoon Seok-yeol, did not share the enthusiasm of his predecessor. As a result, work slowed down, and the future of the aircraft carrier program was in doubt.
New plans
According to South Korean media, a few days ago, the current situation around the CVX program cleared up. It turned out that the military department plans to continue work on aircraft carriers. At the same time, the possibility of abandoning the current program and replacing it with a more complex and ambitious project is not ruled out.
It is reported that the Ministry of Defense of South Korea recently received an official request for the CVX program from one of the members of the Defense Committee of the National Assembly. In an official response, the ministry revealed plans for the coming months.
Thus, in March, a “political study” of the prospects for the existing program and the possibility of replacing it begins. If there are needs and opportunities, instead of a light aircraft carrier, CVX can develop a heavier ship. It will be large in size, and the displacement will reach 50 thousand tons. Such a revision of key parameters is directly related to proposals for the restructuring of the aviation group.
Flight deck from the project from DSME
The CVX program called for the use of American-designed F-35B short takeoff fighters that did not place high demands on the flight deck. Now instead of them it is proposed to use a promising carrier-based fighter KF-21N of its own design. It must take off from a springboard or catapult, and therefore requires a larger deck.
The prospects of existing and prospective projects will be studied until the end of this year. The Ministry of Defense will have to assess the technical potential of the two projects, the capabilities of the ships, as well as the cost and complexity of implementing programs. Then the South Korean leadership will make a decision in principle, in accordance with which further work will proceed. Which option will be chosen for further implementation is unknown.
Finished developments
Almost immediately after the launch of the CVX program, a competition for the development of preliminary projects began. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) entered the fight for the order for full-fledged design and construction. The first results of the work in the form of layouts and promotional materials were shown in June 2021.
For various reasons, both developers did not meet the specified dimensions and displacement limits - the ships turned out to be one and a half to two times heavier than required. At the time of the presentation of the projects, it looked strange. However, against the backdrop of new plans and proposals, such projects look different. Developments on them may well be used to create a promising "heavy" aircraft carrier.
CVX in HHI variant
The 2021 project from DSME, developed with the participation of the British Babcock International, provided for the construction of a ship with a maximum length of 263 m and a width of 46,5 m with a displacement of 45 thousand tons. A rectangular flight deck was proposed without a bow springboard and an angular takeoff position. Two superstructures with different equipment were placed on the starboard side. The ship could receive a non-nuclear power plant with two propellers. The maximum design speed is 27 knots.
The air group of such a ship could include 28 F-35B short takeoff fighters and several helicopters. The hangar deck was able to accommodate 12 aircraft. Others were to remain on the flight deck. The possibility of basing horizontal takeoff aircraft was not specified.
HHI presented a project for an aircraft carrier with a length of 270 m and a displacement of 60 thousand tons. It received a flight deck 60 m wide with a central take-off position; on the sides of it, places were provided for placing equipment. Behind the aft section of the main flight deck, an additional small area area for unmanned aerial vehicles was provided. The superstructure was divided into two parts. The power plant is of an unknown type with three shafts.
An aircraft carrier from HHI should carry a mixed air group with F-35B fighters, as well as helicopters and UAVs of various types. On the flight deck of the exhibition model, 5 fighters and 6 helicopters were demonstrated. Additional site accepted 7 drones. The dimensions and capacity of the hangar deck are unclear.
Uncertain Future
According to the latest newsThe Ministry of Defense of South Korea will conduct the necessary studies by the end of the year and decide how exactly its aircraft carrier program will develop further. Depending on various factors, they may continue the existing CVX program or replace it with a new one. At the same time, both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is not yet clear which one will be chosen.
Flight decks with airplanes, helicopters and UAVs
By continuing the existing program, Seoul will not lose the money and efforts already invested in it. In addition, it will be possible to save money on the creation of carrier-based fighters. The terms of reference for the CVX aircraft carrier allows the use of only American F-35Bs, which are already in mass production.
Restarting the program with a new specification will lead to additional costs. However, contractors will be able to take as a basis previously submitted projects. In terms of dimensions and displacement, these ships fully comply with the new requirements, which to a certain extent will simplify the development of promising projects. With all this, it will be possible to equip the aircraft carrier with fighters of its own production.
Thus, the South Korean Ministry of Defense must evaluate a number of factors and determine which of them are most valuable in the context of development. fleet. He will have to consider issues of economics and cost reduction, industrial capabilities, performance characteristics, etc. At the same time, we are talking not only about shipbuilding, but also about the related aviation industry.
Research work to determine the prospects for the aircraft carrier program begins now and will last until the end of 2023. Its results will be announced in less than a year, after which the industry will receive the corresponding orders and begin to fulfill them. Despite all the delays and difficulties of recent times, she will have enough time to meet the previously announced deadlines.
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