Sign-up to receive weekly Defense email updates with news, commentary, photos, videos and more!
Focusing on the critical interplay of programs, policy, funding and operations to provide integrated intelligence and global perspective to defense and government leaders worldwide.
Aerospace Daily & Defense Report is relied upon for the latest, critical intelligence on programs, budgets and policies in defense, as well as military and civil space.
Unmanned Horizons is a dedicated section of AviationWeek.com's defense coverage of unmanned systems.
Access news, blog posts, videos, photos and other exclusive unmanned systems-related defense content.
Aviation Week is proud to announce its new Innovation Special Topic page supported by Booz Allen Hamilton.
Check out articles, white papers, interactive features and more related to aviation, aerospace and defense innovation.
Join defense leaders for the annual event focused on improving program performance! More »
China plans to formally introduce its aircraft carrier into service this year, the government says.Since last year, China has been putting the refurbished aircraft carrier, formerly called the Varyag, through its paces after a rebuilding phase. Several cruises have been performed. The government used the 11th National People's Congress to affirm fielding of the carrier is planned this year. That matches the expectation in the U.S., which notes, however, that it will be only the vessel that is fielded, not a full aircraft carrier capability. How long it will take for China to mount full aircraft operations from the carrier's flight deck is another matter. Some estimates suggest that capability will not exist until around 2015, which is also when the Pentagon expects China might field its first domestically produced aircraft carrier.
Tags: ar99, China