China's latest marvel. Fujian aircraft carrier sets sail with groundbreaking tech
China has launched a new aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which will soon undergo sea trials, according to the Militarny website. This unit is distinguished by its inclusion of an electromagnetic catapult, marking a first for the Chinese navy.
In recent months, the Chinese have been at the forefront of unveiling military innovations. Notably, a photo of the Z-21 helicopter was published, showcasing a design intended to rival the American AH-64 Apache. This enigmatic Chinese weapon was photographed for the first time in March 2024.
The new ship is unique for at least one reason
The Military website has highlighted another Chinese achievement: the launch of the new aircraft carrier Fujian. This ship is set for testing soon.
Despite the limited information available about this project, the electromagnetic catapult stands out as the most noteworthy feature. This technology is unprecedented in the Chinese naval arsenal, making Fujian the first of its carriers to employ it. Its predecessors relied on basic ski-jumps for launching aircraft.
Delving into the details of this catapult, the Chinese-developed EMALS can launch an aircraft weighing up to around 30 tonnes, enabling it to reach a speed of roughly 250 km/h in about 2 seconds. This remarkable efficiency stems from the design team's innovative approach to the technology.
Instead of using the traditional method of numerous electromagnetic coils along the runway, this system is powered by a large motor and flywheel that imparts energy to the aircraft.
Construction of the aircraft carrier Fujian has been ongoing since 2015. Its displacement is approximately 88,000 tonnes, and its length is about 315 metres and width is more than 74 metres. Fujian's striking power is provided by 40 aircraft and helicopters arranged on its deck.
Among these, the KJ-600 is anticipated to be a key asset. This new long-range radar detection aircraft has recently undergone testing. Built upon the KLC-7 design introduced in 2018 (in its export variant), only a few prototypes of the KJ-600 exist, with complete specifications yet to be released. However, Global Security analysts suggest the aircraft can cover distances up to about 1,250 km and operate at altitudes reaching approximately 14 km.
