Video footage released by China has given us the latest and greatest look at the country’s new aircraft carrier Fujian. The ship is the first completely Chinese-designed aircraft carrier and will also be the first People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier to launch aircraft via catapults rather than ski jumps. The new visuals are another sign that sea trials of the warship are just around the corner.
The video in question released today by China’s state-run CCTV network shows the carrier head-on as part of a short segment. According to CCTV, the video depicted the following: fujian province, also known as Type 003, has recently completed mooring tests. This includes testing the vessel’s main propulsion machinery while it is moored.
The country’s domestically built aircraft carrier, launched in June 2022, is equipped with a catapult-assisted takeoff, arrest and recovery (CATOBAR) system, and is currently in the final stages of outfitting at Shanghai’s Changxing Jiangnan Shipyard before sea trials begin. .
As part of the video, fujian province Two tugboats accompanied the vessel during the mooring test. What is notable from the very clear images is the high level of completion once the three flight deck catapults are fully installed. These consist of her two bow catapults and her one hip catapult, located on the angled flight deck.
The visual also shows a mock-up Shenyang J-15 fighter jet on the aft part of the flight deck. The exact composition of the wing is currently unknown, but his J-15T, a catapult version of the J-15 fighter, is present and will likely be the carrier’s main aircraft. Baseline’s J-15 is already operational, flying from his two other aircraft carriers in the PLAN, Type 001. Liaoning and type 002 shandong province, both short takeoff but stop and recover (STOBAR) types. STOBAR The carrier launches the aircraft under its own power via a ski jump before using lightning conductors to recover the aircraft.
Other aircraft may also appear as part of fujian province‘s air wing includes a navalized version of the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter. This aircraft is an evolution of his FC-31, which first appeared in the early 2010s. The KJ-600 carrier-based early warning and control aircraft will also be an important part of the wing, along with various helicopters. It is becoming increasingly clear that stealth drones will also be part of this. Fujian province Air Wing, probably sooner or later.
While development is being carried out on fujian province These days, it’s well documented as follows: war zoneuntil now we have not yet seen the details of the newly installed catapult.
No footage was shown of the aircraft carrier, which began catapult tests at the shipyard in late November. Fujian province The flight deck was clearly visible, given that the above test footage was taken from a distance. At least one clip appears to have been recorded by a passenger on an aircraft that was flying overhead while the test was being conducted.
As part of these tests, red catapult “trucks” were used to evaluate performance. Fujian province Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) Catapult. EMALS offers a number of advantages over steam-based catapults, including increased sortie generation rates due to faster reset times. It also eliminates the need for the complex piping and bulky pistol gear required by steam-powered catapults. At the same time, China has been testing the EMALS system on land for years, although the technology is still relatively new and complex. Learn more about the benefits of EMALS here.
why fujian province It is still unclear whether exactly it is in dry dock, but both Mr. Ruprecht and Mr. Alex LuckDefense analysts have suggested that a final cleaning of the ship’s hull could be one explanation. For large ships, it is not uncommon for work to be carried out in dry dock prior to the first sea trial in order to resolve any known issues and maximize the success of the test. Luck also suggests that the footage released by CCTV today was most likely filmed earlier. fujian province The ship is now in dry dock, but the mooring tests have been completed, as evidenced by the scaffolding seen around the island.
New visuals and recent catapult tests indicate that sea trials are very likely to begin soon. This would be an important step towards the eventual handing over of the airline to the Chinese Navy, which could happen as early as 2025.
We will pay attention to future developments. Fujian province.