Latest news with #ShenyangJ-15T
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian
Signs are growing that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to demonstrating its ability to launch and recover aircraft from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, if it has not done so already. Fujian completed an eighth round of sea trials, which were said to have been particularly intensive, back in May. Chinese state media outlets have released previously unseen, but also undated videos and pictures showing flight operations aboard Fujian this week in the lead up to today's marking of the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA. Fujian has been conducting sea trials since May 2024 and is reportedly expected to enter operational service by the end of this year. First-ever official footage of flight operations aboard China's newest, soon-to-be commissioned aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian (18)On the eve of the PLA's 98th anniversary, PRC media released video showcasing another major milestone: integration tests between the electromagnetic… — Ian Ellis (@ianellisjones) July 31, 2025 Chinese authorities have yet to show aircraft launching from or recovering aboard Fujian, but the newly released imagery notably includes a view of a Shenyang J-15T single-seat carrier-based fighter at least in position for a catapult launch with its afterburners engaged. Another clip shows the shadow being cast on Fujian's deck from a J-15-series fighter flying low over or at least very near the ship. There are no clear indications, one or the other, that the jet in question took off from and/or landed on Fujian. The J-15 family is derived from the Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker, with the T version being specifically developed for catapult launch. Earlier variants of the J-15, as well as the Su-33, were designed for use on short takeoff, but assisted recovery (STOBAR) carriers with ski jumps rather than catapults. The recently released official imagery also includes a look at members of Fujian's crew conducting a so-called Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walk. This is a routine proactive safety measure taken on carriers and land airfields to check for potentially small, but serious hazards ahead of flight operations. A Harbin Z-9 helicopter, a license-produced variant of the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS365 Dauphin, is also seen in one of the video clips that have been released. Z-9s are also part of the air wings found on China's STOBAR carriers, including for use as plane guards while fixed-wing aircraft are launching and recovering. It's also worth noting here that it's unclear whether the PLAN could have launched a J-15T from Fujian's deck without the help of the ship's catapults, possibly by using a jet with a light fuel load and/or that is otherwise stripped down, and a long takeoff run. In such a scenario, the aircraft would also have to be craned off afterward. Still, it seems more likely that Fujian is now launching and recovering fixed-wing aircraft, or at least is getting very close to doing so, as part of its ongoing trials. Basic function testing of the carrier's electromagnetically-powered catapults first began in 2023 while the ship was still being fitted out. Chinese state media has also released other imagery in the past showing members of the carrier's crew at least going through the motions of a catapult launch. Un passager d'un vol commercial survolant près du chantier naval Changxing Jiangnan à Shanghai, où le troisième porte-avions chinois est actuellement en construction, a pu filmer ce qui semble être un test de catapultage dans le bassin. — East Pendulum (@HenriKenhmann) November 26, 2023 As China's first CATOBAR carrier, Fujian has been a source of great interest, in general, for years now. With Fujian, the PLAN is also notably going straight to electromagnetic catapults without ever operating a carrier that uses steam-powered ones. The U.S. Navy's supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford was the first carrier ever to get an aircraft into the air using what is also referred to as an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). France and India are also now moving to field EMALS-equipped carriers, and the United Kingdom may also follow suit. Electromagnetic catapults offer the advantage of being able to be more finely tuned to very different aircraft types, particularly ones at the smaller and lighter end of the spectrum. EMALS, which are also less complicated mechanically than their predecessors, offer lower reset times that can help increase sortie generation rate. At the same time, the electromagnetic catapults on USS Gerald R. Ford did prove to be temperamental new technology, causing issues for years before the U.S. Navy said it was able to mitigate them. The overall capabilities that EMALS offer are particularly relevant for launching uncrewed platforms. The PLAN is actively pursuing advanced uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and other types of drones that can be launched from carriers and big deck amphibious warfare ships. Fujian's full air wing is set to also include new J-35 naval stealth fighters and KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft. Oh man, what a start to the day! I think this is actually the very best photo of a naval J-35 published so far and here quite clearly the prototypes 3501 (with Pitot) & 3506.(Image via @齐天的孙猴子 from Weibo) — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 19, 2025 A great KJ-600 image for the morning … — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 20, 2025 Imagery of a new jet trainer, which looks to be based on the existing JL-10 and could be designed with carrier training in mind, has also emerged today. Conducting routine CATOBAR operations from Fujian will also require the PLAN to set up a steady pipeline for naval aviators qualified to do so. Here a better one via Huitong's CMA-Blog@HarpiaP — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 1, 2025 More broadly speaking, Fujian reflects a major modernization push by the PLAN dating back to the 1990s, with particular emphasis on supporting higher-end region missions, such as intervention against Taiwan, as well as longer-range blue water operations in the Pacific and beyond. China is reportedly already working on a new CATOBAR carrier, commonly referred to as the Type 004, which may also be nuclear-powered. Renderings that have emerged in the past related to that design show distinct similarities to the U.S. Navy's Ford class and France's future New Generation Aircraft Carrier, both of which are nuclear-powered. PLAN modernization has not been limited to carriers, but also includes a still-growing array of new and ever-more advanced surface combatants, amphibious warfare ships, and more. China has been particularly prolific when it comes to the relatively rapid expansion of its amphibious fleets. This includes a super-sized big deck amphibious assault ship named Sichuan, also referred to as the Type 076, which is unlike any other such vessel in service anywhere else in the world. It notably has its own single electromagnetic catapult along one side of the forward end of the flight deck. Sichuan has also been a major feature in media related to the 98th anniversary of the PLA's founding. Soldiers Chorus Navy Band Performance • Saluting & Celebrating PLA 98 Years of Founding Anniversary | Type 076 'Sichuan' 51 — David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) August 1, 2025 Some new shots of Type 076 LHA 51 Sichuan, courtesy of a PLA media event (no relation to fitting out/trials). CODAG propulsion visible via funnels. EMALS shelter remains in place. Via "ACuriousPLAFan"/"by78"/SDF. — Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) August 1, 2025 Chinese state media this week has also highlighted an example of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship, as well as shown imagery of a significant portion of all of the PLAN's major amphibious warships sailing in formation together. The PLAN's amphibious capabilities are also growing further now with new jack-up barges that can be linked together to help get ground forces ashore, as you can read more about here. #PLAN The newest Type-075 LHD (34) is now called 'Hubei'. Today is August 1st, 八一, the PLA's 98th Anniversary – Expect many announcements (or reveals) — Iron Lady (@nuwangzi) August 1, 2025 Four Type 071 LPD and two Type 075 LHD on a joint cruise. Coincidentally or not exactly half of each types overall numbers active in the PLAN fleet. Via "by78"/SDF. — Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) August 1, 2025 1/x New lengthy & detailed footage (2nd & 3rd videos) of the Chinese Shuiqiao-type landing barges (self-propelled amphibious landing platform utility vessels) during some trials with civilian cars(via wb/齐天的孙猴子) — Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) June 15, 2025 This year's anniversary of the PLA's founding comes amid new geopolitical friction with the United States, especially over tariffs and other trade issues. In addition, there continues to be ominous warnings about PLA efforts to at least get to a place where it would be confident of succeeding in an armed intervention against Taiwan, potentially as soon as 2027. 'The [Taiwanese] population need[s] to not be naive like in the past,' Wu Chihchung, Taiwan's deputy foreign minister, said in an interview with Sky News in the United Kingdom that was broadcast today. 'China is preparing to invade Taiwan.' If nothing else, there are growing signs that China's first catapult-equipped carrier Fujian is getting ever closer to entering operational service. Contact the author: joe@ Solve the daily Crossword
AllAfrica
02-08-2025
- AllAfrica
US-China race for air supremacy at sea hits critical phase
As China readies its first catapult carrier and the US scrambles to revive its sixth-generation carrier-based fighter program, the battle for air dominance at sea is entering a crucial new phase. This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is nearing a pivotal milestone with its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, known as Fujian, as newly released state media imagery suggests imminent or ongoing fixed-wing flight operations. The undated visuals—timed with the PLA's 98th anniversary—show Shenyang J-15T fighters positioned for catapult launches, afterburners ignited and shadows of jets flying low over the deck, though no confirmed launch or recovery footage has surfaced. Since May 2024, Fujian has undergone intensive sea trials, including an eighth round completed in May 2025. The carrier employs an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), bypassing steam catapults entirely, bringing China in line with US, French and Indian naval advancements. Operational readiness is underscored by support assets such as Harbin Z-9 helicopters and crew performing Foreign Object Debris (FOD) walks. The PLAN's modernization, driven by ambitions for Taiwan contingencies and blue-water power projection, includes stealthy J-35s, KJ-600 airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft and a new JL-10-based carrier trainer. Beyond Fujian, China is developing a nuclear-powered Type 004 CATOBAR carrier, which could enable sustained operations farther afield. The broader naval buildup also features amphibious platforms like the EMALS-equipped Type 076 Sichuan, highlighting China's growing capacity to integrate sea-based airpower across multiple hull types. This acceleration reflects more than technical upgrades—it signals doctrinal transformation. Asia Times has previously reported that Fujian is on track to conduct 'Alpha strike' tactics—mass saturation air assaults designed to overwhelm adversary defenses and seize early initiative. Once the exclusive domain of the US Navy, these tactics are now within China's grasp thanks to EMALS-enabled sortie rates that eclipse those of its older ski-jump carriers, Liaoning and Shandong. Such capability enhances China's ability to support amphibious operations and conduct standoff strikes beyond the First Island Chain. Yet significant structural constraints remain. Fujian's conventional propulsion system limits its operational endurance compared to nuclear-powered US carriers. It also lacks overseas basing infrastructure, reducing its forward persistence. Its EMALS has not yet matched US performance benchmarks, and China still faces a shortfall of carrier-qualified pilots. The PLAN's capital ships also remain highly vulnerable to long-range precision strikes, while China's space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) architecture—essential for targeting and coordination—remains fragile. While China surges ahead in carrier aviation and doctrine, the US is working to preserve its edge by rebooting long-delayed initiatives. Last month, TWZ reported that the US Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1.4 billion in its draft FY2026 defense spending bill to revive the Navy's F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based fighter program. This move defies the Department of Defense's (DoD) previous decision to halt the program and echoes the Navy's Unfunded Priority List, revealing an internal split between naval leadership and defense officials. TWZ also notes that Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, has warned that without the F/A-XX, the Navy risks ceding air superiority and depending on aging fourth-generation platforms. According to TWZ, Boeing and Northrop Grumman remain contenders for the contract, while Lockheed Martin has reportedly been eliminated. The House has proposed $972 million, with final funding dependent on reconciliation and presidential approval. In a July 2025 article for The National Security Journal, Brent Sadler underscores the urgency. He argues that the US Navy's current air wing—dominated by the F/A-18 and stealth-optimized F-35C—is increasingly mismatched to the realities of a Pacific conflict. Sadler writes that the F/A-18, first deployed in 1983, is outdated and vulnerable to long-range threats, while the F-35C's limited internal weapons bays constrain its capacity to carry extended-range ordnance. He notes that China's PL-17 air-to-air missile and DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile can reach 400 and 1,600 kilometers, respectively—distances that far outstrip the range envelopes of US carrier aircraft. Without a fast, long-range and heavily armed platform like the F/A-XX, Sadler warns, American carriers may be forced to operate within lethal threat rings, jeopardizing both survivability and mission effectiveness. The proposed F/A-XX aims to restore that edge. In a July 2025 article for Proceedings, Josh Hano writes that the aircraft would prioritize long-range strike and heavy payloads, allowing it to complement F-35s assigned to fleet air defense. He adds that the envisioned F/A-XX—also referred to as the A-XX—would trade traditional fighter agility for the ability to deliver antiship missiles, smart bombs and naval mines, while also serving as a platform for electronic warfare, ISR and aerial refueling. Though the F-35's range limitations are well-known, TWZ mentions in a June 2025 article that the upcoming Block 4 upgrade package may evaluate integration of drop tanks or conformal fuel tanks, though technical details remain sparse. Hano notes that this new strike aircraft would recall Cold War-era platforms designed to deliver specialized ordnance at long range, thereby restoring the carrier's ability to project power from outside contested zones—a capability that is becoming vital as adversary missile systems improve. Framing these developments in broader strategic terms, Thomas Mahnken writes in a February 2022 Proceedings article that the US Navy's evolving maritime posture against China revolves around a dual-force concept: 'inside forces' that operate within China's missile envelope, and 'outside forces' that remain beyond it. Mahnken explains that inside forces—submarines and land-based units stationed in allied territory—would impose costs and deny adversary objectives through presence and rapid reaction. Outside forces, like carrier strike groups, would operate from standoff distances, leveraging long-range strike capabilities to hold targets at risk and reinforce deterrence. But the US may not have enough carriers to make this strategy work. Asia Times reported in July 2025 that delays in the delivery of USS John F Kennedy (CVN-79) will soon reduce the US Navy's operational carrier fleet below the congressionally mandated 11-ship minimum, exposing a readiness shortfall at a time of global tension. Delays in the Ford-class carrier program—exacerbated by technical faults, industrial bottlenecks and persistent cost overruns—are undermining the Navy's ability to maintain forward-deployed strike groups in multiple theaters. As China intensifies naval activity near Taiwan and the Luzon Strait, while crises simmer in the Middle East and Europe, the US risks strategic overextension. Building carrier power is one challenge. But sustaining it across contested maritime space is the actual test—one both nations are now racing to master in a contest that could redefine naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
