Chinese Aircraft Carrier, Liaoning, Strategic or Simply Status?

Now that China has finally commissioned  Liaoning, its first aircraft carrier, the discussion has focused on whether the ship is a meaningful addition to the Chinese Navy or merely a symbol of status and prestige. Some have pointed out that the … Continue reading

Update: China’s First Aircraft Carrier, Liaoning, Enters into Service

After ten sea trials and over 25 years of construction and refitting, China has put its first aircraft carrier into service.  Long rumored to be named Shi Lang, the carrier has instead been named Liaoning, after the province where it was rebuilt and refitted. … Continue reading

The Other Russian Aircraft Carrier – the Costly Conversion of the Admiral Gorshkov to INS Vikramaditya

We recently posted about the Chinese conversion of the Russian aircraft carrier Varyag. China is not the only  country looking to surplus Russian aircraft carriers to expand their naval power.  India purchased the surplus carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, from the Russians … Continue reading

Divers of the Lost Ark?

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Invincible was sold to Turkish scrappers last February. Now bids are open for the sale of  HMS Ark Royal. While scrapping seems a likely outcome the tender allows that “alternatively the vessel may be purchased for re-use/refurbishment for non-warlike purposes.” … Continue reading

Twilight of the $UPERfluous Carrier – Are Today’s Carrier’s Yesteryear’s Battleships?

For seventy years, battleships were the unchallenged masters of the oceans, until technology swept them aside.  Now the aircraft carrier reigns supreme.  The US currently has five times more aircraft carrier capacity based on flight deck acreage than the the … Continue reading

Update: XO Movie Night on the Enterprise – the Admiral’s Report

On Thursday Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., the head of Fleet Forces Command, announced the results of the investigation of the aircraft carrier Enterprise videos and recommended punishment for 40 officers and senior enlisted sailors. Lewd Navy Video Report Lewd Navy Videos … Continue reading

Carnival Splendor Update – Tugs, Flush Toilets and Spam

Perhaps the best news for the stranded passengers on the disabled cruise ship, Carnival Splendor, is that the flush toilets aboard are back in service and that the ship is proceeding slowly under tow to the mainland.   Still lacking refrigeration on … Continue reading