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Satellite images show China made an apparent USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier target out in the desert
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a425couple
Jan 6, 2024, 2:35:52 PMJan 6
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https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-images-china-mock-ford-carrier-target-western-desert-2024-1
It is best to go to the citation to see the pictures.
Satellite images show China made an apparent USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft
carrier target out in the desert
Chris Panella Jan 5, 2024, 2:26 PM PST
Satellite image of a new carrier target in China's Taklamakan Desert.
Satellite image of a new carrier target apparently modeled after the USS
Gerald R. Ford in China's Taklamakan Desert, captured January 1, 2024.
Image © Planet Labs PBC
China has a new carrier-shaped target, and it looks a lot like the US
Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Satellite images show the suspected target on a range in the desert.
The mock-ups may be opportunities for China to test elements of its
missile force, which has grown in recent years.
Insider Today
New satellite images have captured what appears to be a mock-up of the
USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on a range in a Chinese desert.
The carrier-shaped object, like some of the others in the area, is
likely there for target practice, allowing China to test its
increasingly formidable missile force and may highlight Chinese efforts
to build a force capable of keeping American warships at bay.
The satellite images, which were taken on January 1 by Planet Labs, show
the apparent target in the Taklamakan Desert. The suspected target
appears to match the shape, size, and certain details of the USS Gerald
R. Ford, according to The War Zone, which first reported the satellite
images.
Aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 sit on USS Gerald R.
Ford's (CVN 78) flight deck as the ship steams through the Atlantic
Ocean, April 13, 2022. Petty Officer 3rd Class Riley McDowell
The Planet Labs images show the island, more aft than Nimitz-class
carriers, and the four catapult tracks marked on the model's deck. The
design is consistent with that of the Ford, and the shape is over 1,000
feet long.
Work on the model began in November 2023, according to The War Zone's
review of past satellite imagery. An outline has been present for a
while before a more detailed target was erected.
Two smaller carrier targets and an outline of a larger one in a
satellite image taken July 28, 2023.
Two smaller carrier targets and an outline of a larger one in a
satellite image taken July 28, 2023. Image © Planet Labs PBC
Planet Labs also took pictures of additional targets, one an apparent US
Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. That had previously been a silhouette but
now looks to have structural improvements to match a destroyer.
A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the
Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024.
A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the
Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024. Image © Planet Labs PBC
The range in the Taklamakan Desert, located in the Ruoqiang area of
Xinjiang in northwest China, is an area for what is believed to be
missile-strike training. Satellite images have repeatedly documented
what look to be models of US warships in the area.
In one instance, satellite images back in October 2021 captured what
appeared to be a warship target on a rail system that could move back
and forth.
In the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy regularly operates aircraft
carriers and other warships, routinely patrolling waters and frequently
conducting military exercises. These activities at times cause friction
with China.
In the event of a conflict, it is expected that China would target US
carriers given their high-profile status and role.
Navy aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford
USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean on March 19, 2023. US Navy/MCS2
Jackson Adkins
If China is looking to test missiles against the model of the Ford, it
would align with their apparent goals to bolster the capabilities of the
rocket force, including its anti-ship elements.
In October 2023, the US Department of Defense released its annual China
Military Power Report analyzing China's growing military might and
combat capability. The report's estimates on the Chinese missile
stockpiles showed significant increases across the board since the
previous year.
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles like the DF-26, saw a staggering
jump from 300 stockpiled in 2021 to 500 in 2022. Those missiles have an
estimated range of 1,000-3,000km, and while they are called "Guam
Killers" given their potential to strike US forces on the Pacific
island, their anti-ship role led to the nickname "carrier killer."
A larger stockpile of DF-26s could threaten US aircraft carriers like
the Ford, allowing China to target them from a safe distance. China has
also increased its arsenal of medium-range missiles, some of which also
have anti-ship capabilities.
The Chinese military also has a variety of anti-ship cruise missiles.
The USS Gerald R. Ford ,the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft
carrier, is returning home from its first full deployment. The
supercarrier, as it is referred to considering its size and abilities,
was first commissioned more than five years ago and has been in the
making for over a decade. The warship's hefty price tag exceeded $13
billion and majorly inflated due to delays and technological integration
issues.
Until recently, the Ford has been operating in waters near Israel. It
relocated there in October in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Read next
MILITARY & DEFENSE
US Navy says the Ford carrier strike group is finally heading home after
its first full deployment was upended by war
MILITARY & DEFENSE
The US and China are looking into big boxes full of missiles to give
their navies new firepower
MILITARY & DEFENSE
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea need a stronger response than just a
few warships shooting things down, retired US Navy SEAL officer warns
China
Defense
https://www.businessinsider.com/satellite-images-china-mock-ford-carrier-target-western-desert-2024-1
It is best to go to the citation to see the pictures.
Satellite images show China made an apparent USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft
carrier target out in the desert
Chris Panella Jan 5, 2024, 2:26 PM PST
Satellite image of a new carrier target in China's Taklamakan Desert.
Satellite image of a new carrier target apparently modeled after the USS
Gerald R. Ford in China's Taklamakan Desert, captured January 1, 2024.
Image © Planet Labs PBC
China has a new carrier-shaped target, and it looks a lot like the US
Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.
Satellite images show the suspected target on a range in the desert.
The mock-ups may be opportunities for China to test elements of its
missile force, which has grown in recent years.
Insider Today
New satellite images have captured what appears to be a mock-up of the
USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on a range in a Chinese desert.
The carrier-shaped object, like some of the others in the area, is
likely there for target practice, allowing China to test its
increasingly formidable missile force and may highlight Chinese efforts
to build a force capable of keeping American warships at bay.
The satellite images, which were taken on January 1 by Planet Labs, show
the apparent target in the Taklamakan Desert. The suspected target
appears to match the shape, size, and certain details of the USS Gerald
R. Ford, according to The War Zone, which first reported the satellite
images.
Aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 sit on USS Gerald R.
Ford's (CVN 78) flight deck as the ship steams through the Atlantic
Ocean, April 13, 2022. Petty Officer 3rd Class Riley McDowell
The Planet Labs images show the island, more aft than Nimitz-class
carriers, and the four catapult tracks marked on the model's deck. The
design is consistent with that of the Ford, and the shape is over 1,000
feet long.
Work on the model began in November 2023, according to The War Zone's
review of past satellite imagery. An outline has been present for a
while before a more detailed target was erected.
Two smaller carrier targets and an outline of a larger one in a
satellite image taken July 28, 2023.
Two smaller carrier targets and an outline of a larger one in a
satellite image taken July 28, 2023. Image © Planet Labs PBC
Planet Labs also took pictures of additional targets, one an apparent US
Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. That had previously been a silhouette but
now looks to have structural improvements to match a destroyer.
A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the
Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024.
A satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the
Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024. Image © Planet Labs PBC
The range in the Taklamakan Desert, located in the Ruoqiang area of
Xinjiang in northwest China, is an area for what is believed to be
missile-strike training. Satellite images have repeatedly documented
what look to be models of US warships in the area.
In one instance, satellite images back in October 2021 captured what
appeared to be a warship target on a rail system that could move back
and forth.
In the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy regularly operates aircraft
carriers and other warships, routinely patrolling waters and frequently
conducting military exercises. These activities at times cause friction
with China.
In the event of a conflict, it is expected that China would target US
carriers given their high-profile status and role.
Navy aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford
USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean on March 19, 2023. US Navy/MCS2
Jackson Adkins
If China is looking to test missiles against the model of the Ford, it
would align with their apparent goals to bolster the capabilities of the
rocket force, including its anti-ship elements.
In October 2023, the US Department of Defense released its annual China
Military Power Report analyzing China's growing military might and
combat capability. The report's estimates on the Chinese missile
stockpiles showed significant increases across the board since the
previous year.
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles like the DF-26, saw a staggering
jump from 300 stockpiled in 2021 to 500 in 2022. Those missiles have an
estimated range of 1,000-3,000km, and while they are called "Guam
Killers" given their potential to strike US forces on the Pacific
island, their anti-ship role led to the nickname "carrier killer."
A larger stockpile of DF-26s could threaten US aircraft carriers like
the Ford, allowing China to target them from a safe distance. China has
also increased its arsenal of medium-range missiles, some of which also
have anti-ship capabilities.
The Chinese military also has a variety of anti-ship cruise missiles.
The USS Gerald R. Ford ,the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft
carrier, is returning home from its first full deployment. The
supercarrier, as it is referred to considering its size and abilities,
was first commissioned more than five years ago and has been in the
making for over a decade. The warship's hefty price tag exceeded $13
billion and majorly inflated due to delays and technological integration
issues.
Until recently, the Ford has been operating in waters near Israel. It
relocated there in October in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Read next
MILITARY & DEFENSE
US Navy says the Ford carrier strike group is finally heading home after
its first full deployment was upended by war
MILITARY & DEFENSE
The US and China are looking into big boxes full of missiles to give
their navies new firepower
MILITARY & DEFENSE
Attacks on shipping in the Red Sea need a stronger response than just a
few warships shooting things down, retired US Navy SEAL officer warns
China
Defense
Jim Wilkins
Jan 7, 2024, 2:25:36 PMJan 7
to
"a425couple" wrote in message news:pYhmN.32150$Vrtf...@fx39.iad...
Satellite images show China made an apparent USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft
carrier target out in the desert
------------------------
That's like shooting at paper targets. Real ones move and shoot back.
Satellite images show China made an apparent USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft
carrier target out in the desert
That's like shooting at paper targets. Real ones move and shoot back.
a425couple
Jan 9, 2024, 12:28:16 PMJan 9
to
most important first steps is teaching proper marksmanship.
After the Marines are able to consistently and accurately hit
the non-threatening and non-moving target, then you can move
on to next steps.
Jim Wilkins
Jan 9, 2024, 1:39:34 PMJan 9
to
"a425couple" wrote in message news:NmfnN.29871$IfLe....@fx36.iad...
-------------------------------
My Army marksmanship training began with the sergeant standing behind us as
each tried knocking down the reactive targets. The guy on my right, the end
of the line, was from so far back in the boonies that he didn't understand
indoor plumbing, but he sure knew how to hit. The sergeant said nothing,
moved to me and I nearly repeated his results, having spent much good
trigger time in the woods. He muttered "You damn hillbillies" and moved on.
That was it.
My Army marksmanship training began with the sergeant standing behind us as
each tried knocking down the reactive targets. The guy on my right, the end
of the line, was from so far back in the boonies that he didn't understand
indoor plumbing, but he sure knew how to hit. The sergeant said nothing,
moved to me and I nearly repeated his results, having spent much good
trigger time in the woods. He muttered "You damn hillbillies" and moved on.
That was it.
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