 |
| The latest CGI of the ROKN's planned light aircraft carrier under the LPX-II program. Photo c/o ROKN. |
A revised concept design was released by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) on 03 January 2021, for their future light aircraft carrier, which is undergoing advanced design phase and being acquired under its LPX-II program.
The new design features a twin island layout, and does not have a ski-ramp which was seen in earlier designs of the ship.
While the ship was based on the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship of the ROKN, the new light aircraft carrier will be longer and heavier, and will not feature a well dock, which will allow the storage of more aircraft, ammunition and fuel to support sustained fixed and rotary-wing naval aviation operations.
It draws some design elements from the UK Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which also feature twin island towers and lack of launch ramp found on large amphibious assault ships of the US Navy.
The CGI released by the ROKN also showed the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighters, and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters. Both aircraft are being acquired by the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) under separate projects.
The latest conceptual design is still subject to possible changes during the basic and detailed design phases.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has also started bringing in institutions and companies to take part in the development process of the light aircraft carrier, including development of core technologies.
The development of a new aircraft carrier comes as the South Korean government shifts its strategic doctrine to operate beyond its shores and immediate surroundings, with importance given on power projection and protection of the country's access to sea lines of communications.
[1] Jane's
[2] Defence Connect
The new design features a twin island layout, and does not have a ski-ramp which was seen in earlier designs of the ship.
While the ship was based on the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship of the ROKN, the new light aircraft carrier will be longer and heavier, and will not feature a well dock, which will allow the storage of more aircraft, ammunition and fuel to support sustained fixed and rotary-wing naval aviation operations.
It draws some design elements from the UK Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, which also feature twin island towers and lack of launch ramp found on large amphibious assault ships of the US Navy.
The CGI released by the ROKN also showed the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighters, and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters. Both aircraft are being acquired by the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) under separate projects.
The latest conceptual design is still subject to possible changes during the basic and detailed design phases.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has also started bringing in institutions and companies to take part in the development process of the light aircraft carrier, including development of core technologies.
The development of a new aircraft carrier comes as the South Korean government shifts its strategic doctrine to operate beyond its shores and immediate surroundings, with importance given on power projection and protection of the country's access to sea lines of communications.
[1] Jane's
[2] Defence Connect
No comments:
Post a Comment