Varyag's CIWS Firing

This photo from Asian Defense claims to show one of the Varyag's CIWS firing. I'm inclined to say that, assuming this article is of the Varyag, this is one of the Varyag's fore CIWS, due to the location of a FL-3000 next to it.

Here are a Couple of pics showing the Varyag's aft CIWSs on her port and starboard sides.

Port:

Starboard:

Photo Credit: Asian Defense, and China Defense Blog

Grainy Videos Showing Officials Touring The Varyag & The Varyag's Weapons Systems

     Alert 5 spotted these two videos showing a group of officials on the Varyag's deck, and below, a video showing a HQ-10 (FL-3000), a 10 barrel gatling gun, and an unidentified rocket launcher.

Here is the video showing the tour.

And here is the video showing the Varyag's weapons.

If you made the mistake of not turning the sound off for the first video, here is the real song.

Video Credit: Alert 5 & Hans Zimmer

Varyag: Is It A Threat?

     With all the talk that China will use the Varyag to rule the western Pacific, I would like to explain why the Varyag will NOT be a SERIOUS threat to the U.S. military or the U.S.'s interests in the region.

     First, the Chinese navy has no experience with carrier operations, specifically: operating cat and trap systems, landing aircraft on a moving surface, replenishing large ships while underway, and launching, arming, fueling, and repairing aircraft in heavy seas. On top of that all these shortcomings are aggravated during combat operations, as all activities will have to be done faster, at the same time with an increased degree of precision. 

     Second, the Varyag is of the Admiral Kuznetsov-class, and has a relatively small air wing of 26 fixed-wing aircraft (J-15, New AEW&C aircraft), and 24 helicopters (Ka-27), for a grand total of 50 aircraft. 50 aircraft is decent number for a second-tier military (Britain, France, Spain, etc...), but in a drawn out war with the U.S., 50 aircraft (of which less than half are fighters) will be nothing. Against 5+ American supercarriers, each carrying 100 aircraft, 50+ of which are fighters (not including aircraft from Japan, Guam, South Korea, and possibly the Philippines), 20 +/- fighters will be nothing. 

     Third, China has no escorts for the Varyag. One of the most important things needed to operate an aircraft carrier is destroyers for ASW (anti-submarine warfare) and air defense. You also need submarines to make sure no enemy submarines get close enough to take a shot at the Varyag or any of the escorts. China has both of these types of ships, but either in limited quantity or of lousy quality or both (China's nuclear submarines make enough underwater noise to make a U2 concert sound quiet). China does have diesel electric Kilo-class subs that are extremely quiet, but are too slow to escort a carrier task force. China also is beginning to build Type 052C destroyers which have a greater air defense capability than previous classes, and will probably form the backbone of Chinese carrier task forces.

     Fourth, the Chinese will need a much better supply system to keep the Varyag at sea for extended periods of time. As of June 2011 the Chinese navy has a rather limited at-sea supply system, which is essential for operating an aircraft carrier(s). 

     While the Varyag is the only aircraft carrier the Chinese have, it will not pose a serious threat to the U.S.military. However, the Chinese military has expressed interest in building more carriers, but until the Chinese are able to field 3+ carriers with large air wings, the Varyag will not pose a serious threat.

     

      

New Photos Show Varyag's Starboard Side

     New photos of the Varyag's starboard side have just emerged, showing the aircraft elevator and the starboard side of the island.

Looks like there might be another 10 barrel gatling gun in the photo.

Photo Credit: Alert 5

China Admits What The West Already Knew: Yes, We Are Building An Aircraft Carrier

Well, its official, Defense News reports that General Chen Bingde (whom I have discussed before) admitted the existence of the Varyag (now known as the Shi Lang) along with the fact that they are overhauling it.
     Personally, I am surprised that China has not admitted the existence of the Varyag prior to yesterday as almost every defense enthusiast knows of the Varyag's existence and overhaul. I have written quite a bit about the Varyag (I can't bring myself to call it the Shi Lang), covering everything from the Varyag's weapon systems to the J-15.
     With the Chinese finally admitting that the Varyag exists, it's interesting to see that the Chinese military is similar to the Soviet military in that they both are and were extremely secretive.
   
     

A Tale Of 10 Barrel Gatling Guns And Surface-to-Air Missiles

 The Chinese have a habit of copying things made in the West and they have done it again, recently China Air and Naval Power posted some photos of the Varyag showing a missile system that looks suspiciously like the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile which is used by the U.S. Navy. The above photo is of the Chinese version which is designated the HQ-10 or FL-3000, I am not sure which. The photo below is of the RIM-116.

Another interesting development on board the Varyag is the addition of a 10-barreled gatling gun which as Defense Tech reports is based of the Type 730 CIWS (Close In Weapon System). Since the new type of CIWS is probably developed from the Type 730 it probably is a 30mm weapon as was the Type 730, to put this weapon into perspective the American Phalanx CIWS  has a caliber of 20mm and 6 barrels along with a RPM (Rounds Per Minute)of 3,000 to 4,500, compared to the Type 730's RPM of 5,800.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog, China Air and Naval Power, freerepublic.com