Type 003 Fujian, roughly a year and a half after its sea trials, has entered service with the PLAN as China’s first aircraft carrier to be designed from scratch and feature CATOBAR operation. Preceding Type 001 and Type 002 aircraft carriers using STOBAR operation were based on the design of the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov-class.
Fujian is planned to be followed by the larger Type 004 aircraft carrier with a larger complement of 90+ aircraft, which matches its USN counterpart, Gerald R. Ford-class.
Previously, sorties with J-15T fighter, KJ-600 AEW&C, and J-35 stealth fighter were performed on Fujian using the EMALS catapult. The EMALS catapult used by Fujian makes it the second of its kind after the USN’s Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. Adjustable power and electrical drive give EMALS an edge over steam-driven catapults in terms of reduced stress on airframes and quicker consecutive sorties.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
