[Source/Observer Network, Mountain Cat]
According to a report on The War Zone website (TWZ) on the 16th, pictures taken by commercial satellites show that China's "full-scale land-based aircraft carrier experimental facility" is currently undergoing large-scale modifications. The report states that the renovation and expansion of this facility make it resemble the layout of the US Navy's Ford-class aircraft carriers, suggesting that it may correspond to the design of China's next-generation advanced domestically produced aircraft carriers.
The images mentioned in the report were allegedly captured by the commercial satellite remote sensing company Planet Labs on April 6 in Wuhan. By comparing these images with satellite photos from 2019, it was noted that the simulated flight deck has clearly expanded, with one side extending close to a road that was previously at a certain distance. The superstructure resembling the island was also moved significantly to the right side of the simulated facility near the stern, "just like the Ford class."
In the comparison image from TWZ's report, it is claimed that the left side is Google Earth's satellite image from October 2019, while the right side is the satellite photo taken by Planet Labs on April 6 this year.
The report suggests that this aircraft carrier simulation deck is located on top of a building (although it is not obvious in the satellite images), primarily for "evaluating the potential applications of different aircraft designs at sea," such as their arrangement and scheduling on the aircraft carrier deck. The newly captured images show models of various aircraft placed at the bow deck area, though they appear to be covered by dark waterproof cloths and are relatively difficult to identify. However, the report deduces through speculation and comparison with previous models that "at least one" is a model of the J-15 series carrier-based fighter, another looks like the J-35 stealth carrier-based fighter, and there is also a model of the KJ-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft. Additionally, radio frequency and other tests are being conducted.
Earlier images of the simulated deck circulating on social media showed full-size models of various carrier-based aircraft.
The report states that this facility was previously observed to have replicated the island and ski-jump deck designs of the 001 and 002 aircraft carriers (i.e., Liaoning and Shandong). It was later modified to remove the ski-jump deck structure at the bow, simulating the Fujian aircraft carrier, marking a shift in Chinese naval aircraft carrier design toward catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing. This latest round of major renovations "appears to be preparing for China's next-generation aircraft carrier (or 004 type)," and simultaneously better simulates the Fujian aircraft carrier, which is still undergoing pre-service trials. Based on this, the report speculates that the new 004 aircraft carrier "is likely already under construction."
An early land-based test facility for the "Varyag" continuation project had a ski-jump deck structure at the bow. Social Media
In February, The War Zone website reported that, according to a satellite image from May 2024, a "carrier feature" module was discovered in the construction area of Dalian Shipyard, possibly for validation testing or demonstration. The analysis suggested that two adjacent non-parallel catapult slots indicate that the 004 might adopt a similar design to the "Ford" class, with two catapults on the angled deck, one more than the current Fujian aircraft carrier. Previously, Jiangnan Shipyard also publicly released features of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, or "War Zone" in its reports, similar to artistic works of the "Ford" class style or France's future PA-NG aircraft carrier design.
It is claimed that this is a satellite image taken in May 2024, showing a疑似 aircraft carrier simulation test or demonstration segment structure at the Dalian Shipyard.
The report thus speculated that the new aircraft carrier might enter service "sometime in the late 2020s," making it more advanced than the Fujian aircraft carrier currently awaiting service. The 004 and the previously similarly equipped Fujian aircraft carrier are "completely different" from China's currently operational two short take-off aircraft carriers, offering many advantages, especially the ability to give carrier-based aircraft greater take-off weight, allowing them to carry more fuel and ammunition loads, as well as more diverse aircraft types such as carrier-based early warning aircraft and drones. Before the successful catapult launch of the Fujian aircraft carrier, only the United States used the "advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch system" (EMALS). However, so far, no country has used electromagnetic catapults to launch fifth-generation carrier-based aircraft from an aircraft carrier. The report stated that the development of the 004 will further address issues related to carrier-based aviation forces, with expectations to accommodate various manned and unmanned aircraft, such as the J-15, J-35, improved versions of the KJ-600, naval versions of the "Attack-11", and various helicopters. The report noted that although the specific propulsion method remains unclear, rumors suggest the use of nuclear power. Therefore, as China's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it will theoretically have unlimited range and meet the power demands of various continuously improving sensors and other systems. Although the Pentagon did not explicitly mention the 004 in its recent assessment of Chinese military strength, it acknowledged that the Chinese navy has entered the "early stage of multi-carrier fleet operations." As the first of China's next-generation aircraft carriers, the Fujian aircraft carrier, with its larger endurance and electromagnetic catapult system, will enhance the potential strike capability of China's aircraft carrier fleet when deployed beyond its surrounding areas. Based on this conclusion, China is undoubtedly accelerating the research and development of its next-generation domestically produced aircraft carriers.
Since the Fujian aircraft carrier began various trials after its launch, external attention and speculation about China's next-generation aircraft carriers have increased day by day. At the regular press conference held on March 14, Major General Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, responded to foreign media reports claiming that China might be building a large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. General Zhang stated that the relevant media reports were pure speculation, and China always considers aircraft carrier construction based on national security needs and equipment technology development.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494211883143135782/
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