"More exciting than the J-36, U.S. media breaks news on Fujian's electromagnetic catapult!" Just after we publicly revealed the Fujian aircraft carrier's electromagnetic catapult with the J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, on the morning of September 22, 2025, in the United States, multiple American media outlets urgently broke the news about China's aircraft carrier catapult. On the same day, the U.S. media "The Drive" reported at 11:33 local time, which is around 11:30 p.m. Beijing time on September 22, that "China's aircraft carrier capabilities have made a shocking leap." The U.S. side said, "China has simultaneously introduced its J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T fighter, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, all of which took off from its first aircraft carrier equipped with a catapult."

Screen capture of the report by the U.S. media "The Drive"

Screen capture of the report by the U.S. media "Newsweek"

The U.S. media "The Drive" stated: "The Chinese Navy's Fujian aircraft carrier demonstrated the capability to electromagnetic catapult and recover aircraft, including the J-35 and KJ-600, which had never been seen before." "The sudden appearance of the video showing the operation of these three aircraft on board is undoubtedly a shocking revelation," "China's expanding naval carrier force also reflects the growing strategic ambitions of the navy: unifying Taiwan, conducting long-range operations in the Central Pacific, and beyond." "For China, the Fujian aircraft carrier is not just a symbol of national pride for the navy." "The Fujian is expected to officially enter service by the end of this year, marking a milestone for the Chinese Navy."

A historic moment: J-35 carrier-based aircraft take off via electromagnetic catapult!

The U.S. media "Newsweek" stated: "China's aircraft carrier has made a major breakthrough," "The Chinese Navy has the largest fleet of ships in the world, and the most advanced fighter jet, the J-35, completed its first flight on the country's most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a breakthrough for the Chinese Navy. In terms of the number of vessels, the Chinese Navy has the largest fleet in the world. To summarize, 'Today, the long ribbon is in hand, when will it bind the green dragon!' This time, the successful electromagnetic catapult of the Fujian has caused more excitement for the U.S. than the J-36, because it touches the U.S. core interests: the hegemony of the U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers. In September, the whole world remembered the word 'coverage,' not only does the DF-5C missile cover the globe, but the Fujian's strike range has already covered the Second Island Chain."

There are three KJ-600 early warning aircraft on the Fujian

Carrier combat capability is unrelated to nuclear power; the advantage of nuclear power lies in long-term deployment in regional areas. The speed of the carrier battle group depends on the lowest cruising speed of the fleet, not the highest speed. Nuclear-powered carriers still need supply ships and support, and the escort supply ships, destroyers, cruisers, and frigates are not nuclear-powered either. A carrier cannot go out alone without an escort.

J-15T accepted electromagnetic catapult

The J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600, three types of carrier-based aircraft, have different power sources, empty weights, and departure and landing speeds. This is the advantage of the electromagnetic catapult, which can adjust the current quickly and accurately to achieve optimal catapult effects for different carrier-based aircraft, thereby improving the efficiency of carrier-based aircraft. In short, it provides different suitable forces for different types, different tonnages, and different power sources of carrier-based aircraft.

American hawkish figure Tom Shugart pays attention to the Fujian's catapult

Tom Shugart: My God, (China kicked) a good ball!

American defense analyst, former submarine sailor, senior researcher, fighter pilot/flight instructor, founder of Archer Strategic Consulting, hawkish person towards China, Tom Shugart, on his personal social media account on the local time of September 22, evaluated the Fujian's catapult of three types of carrier-based aircraft. He stated, "In addition to this capability (Fujian's electromagnetic catapult), don't forget that if China's aircraft carriers operate anywhere in the Western Pacific, they will be protected by hundreds of long-range anti-ship ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles." Facing the image of the Fujian's deck movement, catapulting the J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600, he even exclaimed, "Our God, a good ball!" Not only Chinese military fans, but people around the world have always been looking forward to seeing footage of the Fujian's catapult. It suddenly appeared, and it catapulted three models, a milestone moment.

The J-35 carrier-based aircraft can take off directly with full fuel from the Fujian via the electromagnetic catapult

U.S. media have been boasting for years, yet the catapult technology was easily broken through! Being in this era, Chinese military fans are lucky, every good news comes out, we can be excited and feel great. This is the first time in the world that an electromagnetic catapult has launched a fifth-generation fighter, the first time an electromagnetic catapult has launched a twin-engine heavy carrier-based aircraft, and the first time an electromagnetic catapult has launched an early warning aircraft. We lead the U.S.! Next, we will be launching drones and sixth-generation fighters via electromagnetic catapults!

There are four arresting wires on the Fujian

Drones are much easier to catapult, as their weight is not comparable. Because drones have simpler structures and lighter weight, there is no need to consider the safety of pilots, so they can fully power up. For the Fujian, the main issue now is rapidly forming combat capabilities. It is expected that the Fujian will carry two squadrons of J-35 carrier-based aircraft (24 aircraft), two squadrons of J-15T carrier-based aircraft (24 aircraft), one squadron of J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft (6 aircraft), one squadron of KJ-600 early warning aircraft (4 aircraft), one attack/anti-submarine drone squadron (8-12 aircraft), and 8-12 helicopters, totaling around 70-80 aircraft. With the support of early warning aircraft, the J-15 and J-35 fighter jets have system coordination and can hunt U.S. fighter jets with the early warning aircraft's stealth detection. In short, with the development of China's Fujian

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553022395074773513/

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