New Delhi: China achieved a major breakthrough in its naval capabilities, as the Chinese navy announced Monday the inaugural catapult assisted-take-offs and arrested landings (controlled stop of an aircraft on carrier) of the Shenyang J-15T, Shenyang J-35 and Xi’an KongJing-600 aircraft on its Fujian carrier.
The new round of trials comes after the Chinese state media released undated footage in July showing flight operations on the carrier. All three aircraft were displayed in the 80th Victory Day parade on 3 September.
The Electromagnetic Catapult system is an advanced alternative to the conventional steam-based catapults. Using electromagnetic technology to launch aircrafts, it offers higher precision with less maintenance. China is the only other navy to employ this technology on an aircraft carrier after the United States.
This marks a significant leap for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, which has emerged as a major maritime power in the Indo-Pacific after accelerating efforts since Xi Jinping’s ascent to power in 2012.
Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, and the only one to feature electromagnetic catapults. It is the only other carrier in the world with this system after the US Navy’s Gerald Ford-class ships.
Built by Jiangnan Shipyard for the PLA navy, it is China’s only fully indigenously developed aircraft carrier. It was launched in June 2022 and had its first sea trial in May 2024. It is classified as Type 003 and succeeds the type 002 Shandong carrier.
NBC news reported in March that analysis of satellite imagery shows that China is already on its way to develop the type 004 carrier, which would have four catapults compared to Fujian’s three, would be larger compared to Fujian and powered by a nuclear reactor. China has not acknowledged the development of this carrier.
The catapult assisted-take off of the J35 makes it the first stealth fighter to achieve electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch, as the US Navy is yet to launch its F-35 stealth fighter from the Gerald Ford carrier. The F35 is launched via the conventional steam catapult. The twin engine, all weather, stealth J35 was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC).
It has a land-based variant for the PLA air force and a water-based variant, incorporating catapult assisted take-off (CATOBAR) for the PLA navy. It was developed from the previous FC-31 stealth aircraft prototype. The carrier-based variant of the J35 took its first flight in October 2021.
The J-15T is a carrier-based fourth generation aircraft which incorporates some fifth generation technology. It is an improvement on the previous J-15 by incorporating CATOBAR launch capability. It entered active service in the South China Sea in October 2024.
The KJ-600 was manufactured by Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation. It is designed for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), to detect aircraft ships, vehicles, and missiles from long ranges.
Electromagnetic Catapult System
The electromagnetic catapult system, also known as Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), launches the aircraft through a catapult using a Linear Induction Motor, as compared to the conventional steam piston. The motor uses alternating current to create magnetic fields, leading to propulsion of a carriage to launch the aircraft.
EMALS is a core component of future aircraft carriers and offers various advantages over its traditional steam-based counterparts. It uses electromagnetic technology to launch the aircraft from the deck of the carriers. It is capable of launching a wide variety of aircraft weights and has flexible architecture to suit different platforms. It is more precise and has faster recharge compared to steam. It also weighs less, occupies less space and requires less upkeep.
First developed by General Atomics for the US Navy, it was first installed on the Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carrier in 2015.
In a 2017 interview with Time, US president Donald Trump criticised EMALS, citing higher costs compared to steam catapults. The Indian Navy plans to incorporate this system in future aircraft carriers.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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