The development speed of the Chinese Navy's aircraft carriers is truly leading globally. Less than 24 hours after the Fujian ship completed the first electromagnetic catapult takeoff and landing tests for the air force-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft, the J-35 stealth carrier-based fighter, and the J-15T heavy carrier-based fighter, the CCTV military channel has rarely disclosed a major news that the next generation of 004-type aircraft carrier will adopt nuclear power.
01. Less than 24 hours! Official media confirmed: The 004 aircraft carrier uses nuclear power
According to the military media report on September 23, the official has made a clear statement for the first time that the focus of the development of the next-generation aircraft carrier is to adopt a nuclear power system.
The US media "1945" previously published an article stating that the new generation of the People's Liberation Army's aircraft carrier is the 004-type aircraft carrier, which has already started construction. The 004-type is the fourth aircraft carrier model of the Chinese Navy and the third type of completely independently designed aircraft carrier.
Like the Fujian, the 004-type will continue to use the electromagnetic catapult / arrestor system (EMALS/EMJ), but the displacement will jump to 105,000-110,000 tons (the Fujian is about 80,000 tons), becoming the largest super aircraft carrier in the world in terms of tonnage. In addition, unlike the Fujian, due to the ample space, the 004-type nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will adopt four electromagnetic catapult systems and three elevator platforms (the Fujian has three electric catapults and two elevators).
A larger displacement means that the deck and hangar area can be fully expanded. It is expected that the 004-type aircraft carrier will carry 90-100 aircraft, which will exceed the Fujian's 60-70 aircraft scale. This includes 60-70 fixed-wing aircraft (J-15T, J-35), more than 20 drones (Changzheng-11 modification), and carrier-based early warning, anti-submarine helicopters (Air Force-600 and Zhi-20, Zhi-8F). Its combat capability will surpass any of the US Navy's current aircraft carriers for the first time, becoming the number one ship in the world.
In addition, compared to previous aircraft carriers of the PLA, the most significant advantage of the 004 is its nuclear power. Conventional power aircraft carriers are limited by the amount of fuel they can carry, their operational radius is restricted and require sea replenishment, which limits their sustained operational range and duration.
However, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier can operate continuously for several decades after refueling once. According to the data of the US Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the nuclear reactor can be loaded with nuclear fuel rods once and can be used for 50 years. Its endurance is only limited by the reserves of living supplies on board. This means that the 004-type aircraft carrier will have true global deployment capabilities, able to perform strategic duty missions in key seas for a long time.
02. Nuclear power has obvious advantages over conventional aircraft carriers
The US media stated that the nuclear reactor can generate almost "endless" electricity. This not only provides a more abundant and stable energy source for the existing electromagnetic catapult system (further improving the efficiency of aircraft takeoff), but also opens the way for future carrier-based high-energy weapon systems.
The nuclear reactor of the 004-type is expected to output more than 200,000 horsepower. In addition to driving the aircraft carrier, the remaining electricity can support the practical deployment of laser weapons, electromagnetic cannons, and other directed energy weapons. The recent 93 large-scale military parade actually announced that the naval laser weapon system has been put into service on the PLA's ships. The new laser weapon may have a power of more than 200 kilowatts, used for intercepting anti-ship missiles and drones. As for electromagnetic cannon equipment, the Chinese Navy has been conducting related tests for many years.
These directed energy weapons have great potential in intercepting anti-ship missiles and attacking small surface targets, with low cost, fast shooting speed, and unlimited ammunition, greatly enhancing the carrier's terminal defense capability.
Additionally, since no smoke is emitted, the design of the aircraft carrier's island can be more compact, optimizing the deck layout and improving the efficiency of aircraft scheduling. At the same time, the nuclear power mode eliminates the large smoke duct and fuel tank space of conventional aircraft carriers, allowing more aviation fuel and munitions to be loaded, significantly enhancing the aircraft carrier's sustained strike capability.
The US media believes that the nuclear reactor adopted by the 004 may be the fourth-generation molten salt reactor. This kind of reactor has the advantages of high inherent safety, low working pressure, and less nuclear waste. China has been involved in the research and development of this technology for a long time. In the 1970s, China developed a nuclear-powered icebreaker, accumulating experience in reactor miniaturization and ship compatibility. In recent years, the nuclear reactor technology of the 093 attack nuclear submarine and the 094 strategic nuclear submarine has been continuously upgraded.
Currently, only the United States (11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers) and France (1 "Charles de Gaulle") have nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. However, the "Charles de Gaulle" uses a nuclear submarine reactor, with insufficient total power and a speed of only 27 knots, and it has had frequent failures. Therefore, currently, only China and the United States have mastered the specialized nuclear reactor technology for aircraft carriers. The construction of the 004-type will make China the second country to independently build a 100,000-ton super electric catapult nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
03. Is it unnecessary for China to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?
Of course, some netizens have expressed that it is unnecessary for China to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as China is different from the United States, which needs to maintain a large nuclear-powered aircraft carrier fleet. This is to maintain global military hegemony, so the US Navy needs nuclear aircraft carriers to patrol the world and maintain readiness at all times. For China, it is impossible to develop a global navy like the US Navy, and there is no need to pursue global hegemony. It is sufficient to just protect its own backyard, and conventional-powered aircraft carriers are enough for this task.
However, this view completely ignores the extensive influence China has had around the world in recent years. After more than 20 years of development, it can be said that China's national interest boundaries have undergone fundamental changes.
Currently, China is the world's largest trading country, and its economy is highly dependent on maritime traffic routes. From the oil in the Middle East, minerals in Africa to the markets in Europe, countless cargo ships and oil tankers travel day and night through key routes such as the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. The security of these "maritime lifelines" directly relates to China's energy security, economic stability, and social operations.
Theoretically, any blockade or turbulence in key waterways (such as the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz) would have an undeniable impact on China's economy. Especially in recent years, when the Indian military and the US military have raised issues about how to block China's maritime trade lines during wartime, this situation has become more apparent.
Although the Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian ships have the ability to go far, their conventional power limits their ability to sustain high-speed cruising, long-term presence in the front line, and rapid crisis response to some extent.
Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, with their near-infinite endurance, can be deployed for a long time in key waters without relying on frequent overseas base resupply, providing more reliable and continuous escort and strategic deterrence for China's maritime trade routes, ensuring the smooth flow of the country's economic lifelines.
In summary, the 004-type nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will be a key milestone for the Chinese Navy to move from the yellow water to the deep blue, and from regional defense to distant defense. Developing a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is an inevitable measure taken to ensure its own development and security.
When China's merchant ships sail around the world, the prosperity of the world and the stability of China are closely connected. A navy that can effectively protect these interests, a navy armed with the most advanced technology and with strong deterrent power, is completely necessary. Among them, the nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier is an indispensable existence.
Some content in the article comes from the following sources: 1. Electromagnetic catapult brings unique capabilities to the Fujian, Global Times
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7553693750581625371/
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