[Military World] Author: Tianlang

The first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier of China, "Fujian", is about to undergo its eighth sea trial on May 21. According to the navigation warnings issued by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration and the previous sea trial rhythm, this sea trial may be the "final sprint" before its official commissioning. The most anticipated part might be the catapult takeoff test of the KJ-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft. From J-15T to J-35 and then to KJ-600, this domestically produced aircraft carrier is gradually moving towards the formation of comprehensive combat capability.

▲ Navigation warning issued by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration

As early as the end of the seventh sea trial, there were already signs that "Fujian" had conducted carrier-based aircraft catapulting. For the first time, slight burn marks appeared behind the catapult on the flight deck, combined with the intensive reports by CCTV on the J-35 carrier-based aircraft and the display of training images for J-15T, as well as the exposure of rehearsal photos of aerial formations online, all these pieces of evidence point to one conclusion: "Fujian" has completed preliminary tests of catapult launching of carrier-based aircraft, though it has not been officially announced yet.

In the field of carrier-based aircraft, J-15T, as an improved heavy carrier-based fighter, has long been one of the main options for "Fujian". As a medium-sized stealth fighter, J-35 represents the core of future carrier-based air combat power. If these two types of aircraft have successfully completed catapulting and landing tests, it indicates that the combat system of the Chinese Navy's aircraft carriers has basically been established and entered the initial stage of combat capability generation.

▲ Publicly exposed photos of KJ-600 flying in formation with J-15T

And the appearance of KJ-600 might be the biggest highlight of the eighth sea trial of "Fujian". As China's first true carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft, KJ-600 is equipped with a UHF-band active phased array radar and has the capability to detect stealth targets (such as F-22 and F-35) and remotely guide carrier-based aircraft operations. In naval combat systems, carrier-based early warning aircraft are the "air hubs" for the perception, target guidance, and tactical coordination of the fleet. The E-2D "Hawkeye" of the US Navy is the cornerstone of such a system. Now, KJ-600 possesses comparable basic capabilities, meaning that "Fujian" will truly have the core command and coordination capabilities of a blue-water navy aircraft carrier fleet.

From the analysis of existing photos, KJ-600 has repeatedly appeared in public venues in naval gray paint schemes, with markings for formation flight appearing on the fuselage, indicating that it has officially been put into service. However, due to the limited thrust of the WO-6C turboprop engine used, there are certain restrictions on short-distance takeoffs, so it must rely on the electromagnetic catapult to unleash its combat potential, which is also an important testing project for the sea trials of Fujian.

▲ Crosshair parking positions have appeared on the deck of Fujian

Fujian uses three electromagnetic catapults. Based on current information, at least two of them have basic operational capabilities. The newly added crosshair parking positions on the flight deck are also significant signals. These markers used to calibrate the direction of the aircraft nose and the position of the main wheels often indicate that carrier-based aircraft have begun or are about to start regular on-deck testing. Once carrier-based aircraft enter routine parking and dispatch processes, the deployment of a "complete carrier-based aviation regiment" is not far off.

So, how many carrier-based aircraft can Fujian carry? Based on calculations, its hangar is approximately 200 meters long and 29 meters wide, with an area of about 5,500 to 5,700 square meters, almost equivalent to that of a US "Nimitz"-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, only slightly smaller by about 30 square meters. On this basis, adding the front and rear parking areas on the flight deck and the temporary parking positions of the two elevators, "Fujian" theoretically can carry up to 53 various types of carrier-based aircraft, including about 24 J-15Ts, 12 J-35s, 4 J-15Ds electronic warfare variants, 2 to 4 KJ-600s, and several helicopters.

▲ Imagined full load configuration of Fujian

Although this number is slightly less than that of the "Nimitz"-class, considering the smaller tonnage of Fujian and the larger size of the carrier-based fighters, such a carrying capacity is already world-class. Especially the stealth capability and long-range strike capability of J-35 will greatly enhance the maritime and aerial penetration and ground strike efficiency of the carrier group, while J-15T,凭借 its heavy load capacity and good adaptability, undertakes multi-purpose medium-to-long-range strike missions, forming the best combination of heavy and medium fighters.

Currently, from J-15T, J-35 to KJ-600, this complete set of carrier-based aircraft lineup has basically been assembled. Coupled with the gradual validation of the soft and hardware architecture of Fujian's electromagnetic catapult, advanced radar systems, and combat command systems through sea trials, it can be foreseen that if the eighth sea trial goes smoothly, Fujian is expected to complete all test tasks within the year and officially join the Chinese Navy. At that time, China will officially enter the "three aircraft carrier era". Look forward to the historic moment when KJ-600 makes its first catapult launch on board during the eighth sea trial, and look forward to Fujian soon cruising the high seas in a combat posture, injecting decisive strength into the strategic transformation of the Chinese Navy.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506422065461822004/

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