Articles tagged with "electromagnetic-catapult"
Fujian's flaws push China towards aircraft carrier with nuclear power
China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, represents a significant advancement as the country’s first domestically designed carrier with electromagnetic catapults and the largest conventionally powered warship globally. However, emerging technical assessments reveal critical design flaws that limit its operational effectiveness. Key issues include the island superstructure’s placement near the flight deck’s center, which reduces usable deck space and creates bottlenecks during aircraft operations. Additionally, the electromagnetic catapult arrangement intrudes into the landing area and is positioned too close to an aircraft elevator, restricting simultaneous launch and recovery operations—a capability standard on U.S. supercarriers. These layout inefficiencies, combined with a narrower and shallower angled flight deck compared to American designs, likely reduce Fujian’s sortie generation rate to about 60% of that of a U.S. Nimitz-class carrier. The identified shortcomings are largely attributed to the constraints imposed by Fujian’s conventional propulsion system, which requires large exhaust funnels and machinery spaces, limiting optimal deck and
energynuclear-poweraircraft-carriernaval-technologyelectromagnetic-catapultship-designChina-militaryChina fast-tracks 40,000-ton drone carrier after second sea trial
China is rapidly advancing the deployment of its Type 076 amphibious assault ship, known as the Sichuan, which is considered the world’s first true “drone carrier.” The vessel recently completed its second sea trial just two weeks after its initial test, signaling accelerated progress toward commissioning, potentially by the end of 2026. The Type 076, with a full-load displacement exceeding 40,000 tons, features a dual-island design and a full-length flight deck, making it larger than China’s existing Type 075 amphibious ships. It is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system similar to that on China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enabling faster and more frequent launches of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The ship is expected to operate a variety of aircraft, including J-35 stealth fighters, KJ-600 airborne early-warning planes, helicopters, landing craft, and notably, the GJ-11 stealth unmanned combat air vehicle (UC
robotdrone-carrierunmanned-aerial-vehiclemilitary-technologyelectromagnetic-catapultamphibious-assault-shipstealth-fightersChina may be making its first nuclear aircraft carrier as images leak
Recent satellite imagery and photos suggest that China is constructing its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Type 004, at the Dalian shipyard. This development follows the recent commissioning of the Fujian, China’s third carrier, and marks a significant advancement in Beijing’s naval capabilities. Analysts note that the Type 004’s hull includes a structure resembling a nuclear reactor containment unit, indicating nuclear propulsion rather than conventional fuel. The carrier’s design also appears to incorporate multiple electromagnetic catapults similar to those on U.S. Nimitz and Ford-class carriers, potentially allowing higher sortie rates and heavier aircraft launches. The introduction of nuclear propulsion would grant the Type 004 virtually unlimited range and greater electrical power to support advanced radar, weapons, and aircraft launch systems, narrowing the technological gap with the U.S. Navy, which currently operates 11 nuclear supercarriers. The future air wing for the Type 004 is expected to include stealth fighters like the J-35, upgraded J-15s, early
energynuclear-propulsionaircraft-carrierChina-navymaritime-technologyelectromagnetic-catapultmilitary-technologyWorld's largest 80,000-ton aircraft carrier enters service in China
China has commissioned its third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a significant milestone for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Launched in June 2022 and entering sea trials in May 2024, the Fujian is the world’s largest non-nuclear warship with a displacement exceeding 80,000 tons. It is the first Chinese carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapult launch technology, a system that allows faster, heavier aircraft launches compared to the ski-jump decks on earlier carriers. This technology places China alongside the United States, whose USS Gerald R. Ford is the only other carrier with electromagnetic catapults. The Fujian’s commissioning ceremony was presided over by President Xi Jinping, highlighting the strategic importance of the vessel in extending China’s naval power projection. The Fujian is designed to carry a mix of advanced aircraft, including the J-35A stealth fighter—China’s first carrier-based stealth jet and only the second such aircraft globally after the U.S.
energyelectromagnetic-catapultaircraft-carriermilitary-technologypropulsion-systemnaval-engineeringadvanced-materialsTrump wants US Navy's carriers to use Cold War-era steam catapults
Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized the U.S. Navy’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), labeling it “stupid electric” and advocating for a return to traditional Cold War-era steam catapults. During a visit aboard the USS George Washington in Japan, Trump argued that EMALS is expensive, unreliable, and difficult to repair, contrasting it with steam catapults that he claims can be fixed with simple tools. Despite these criticisms, EMALS represents a significant technological advancement, using linear induction motors to launch aircraft more smoothly and efficiently, reducing airframe stress, and enabling the launch of lighter aircraft such as drones. Trump’s remarks come amid China’s recent demonstration of its own electromagnetic catapult technology aboard its newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which conducted successful sea trials launching advanced aircraft including stealth fighters and early warning planes. The U.S. and China are currently the only nations operating or testing electromagnetic launch systems, with the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford
energyelectromagnetic-catapultUS-Navysteam-technologyaircraft-carriersmilitary-technologydefense-systemsItaly could deploy world's first nuclear carrier for 6th-gen fighters
Italy plans to begin studying the development of its first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, known as the Portaerei di Nuova Generazione (New Generation Aircraft Carrier), starting in 2026. This initiative is part of a long-term modernization plan for the Italian Navy extending to 2040. The envisioned carrier will feature nuclear propulsion, electromagnetic catapults (EMALS), advanced cyber-protected systems, and full integration of manned and unmanned platforms. The design phase is currently under evaluation, with the Italian Navy aiming to incorporate enhanced cyber defense and unmanned system capabilities in all new vessels. The new carrier is intended to operate sixth-generation fighter jets, with potential aircraft options including the US-built F-35C, a future US Navy sixth-generation fighter, or a navalized variant of the trinational Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). This vessel would complement Italy’s existing carriers, Cavour and Trieste, which currently operate F-35B fighters. The feasibility studies for the carrier will be
energynuclear-propulsionaircraft-carrierelectromagnetic-catapultunmanned-systemscyber-defensenaval-technologyChina’s J-35 becomes world’s first catapult-launched stealth jet
China’s J-35 has become the world’s first catapult-launched stealth fighter jet, achieving this milestone aboard the Fujian aircraft carrier, which is equipped with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The PLA Navy announced that the Fujian successfully completed its first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training involving three key aircraft types: the J-15T heavy fighter, the J-35 stealth fighter, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft. These tests demonstrate the carrier’s capability to handle multiple carrier-based aircraft using electromagnetic launch and recovery systems, laying the groundwork for full deck operations and integration of a new air wing into carrier formations. The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier and the first domestically built with electromagnetic catapults, marks a significant advancement compared to earlier carriers like the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski-jump ramps. The J-35, a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for air superiority and strike missions, combined with the high
energyelectromagnetic-catapultstealth-jetaircraft-carriernaval-aviationmilitary-technologyChina-defenseIn a first, China’s Fujian carrier launches jet using catapult
China has reportedly achieved a significant milestone with its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, by successfully conducting catapult-assisted jet launches, as shown in footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV. This marks the first time China has demonstrated the use of an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) on a carrier, a technology previously exclusive to U.S. Navy carriers like the USS Gerald R. Ford. The footage, released during the 98th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, included voice recordings from the control room confirming actual takeoffs and showed a J-15T fighter jet launching from the deck, indicating the Fujian is nearing full operational status. The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, represents a major advancement over its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski-jump ramps for aircraft launch. The EMALS system allows for heavier aircraft with larger payloads, including more weapons and fuel, to take off, enabling the carrier to deploy more advanced aircraft such as electronic
energyelectromagnetic-catapultaircraft-carriermilitary-technologyaviationChina-NavyEMALS