The Fujian aircraft carrier appeared in live-force exercises in the Bohai Sea, drawing attention as a new type of carrier-based drone accompanied it for reconnaissance missions.

Is the Fujian aircraft carrier concealing a "new type of carrier-based aircraft" yet to be unveiled?

On the 22nd, the PLA Daily reported that a certain Chinese navy aircraft carrier group recently conducted realistic combat training in a certain area of the Bohai Sea. The carrier-based aircraft unit successfully completed more than ten joint training exercises, including reconnaissance and early warning, air defense, and anti-missile operations.

Although the report did not explicitly identify which carrier was involved, considering that the Liaoning has recently sailed south to the South China Sea, while the Shandong is still undergoing maintenance, it is not difficult to infer that the carrier conducting training in the Bohai Sea must be the Fujian.

Notably, when describing the training details, the PLA Daily mentioned that the J-15T, J-35, and KJ-600 conducted coordinated training, while an unnamed new carrier-based aircraft was responsible for "accompanying reconnaissance."

This reveals two key points: first, the Fujian carries a previously undisclosed "new type of carrier-based aircraft"; second, this aircraft's operational role is defined as "accompanying reconnaissance."

Given the development trajectory of China’s naval equipment and the various aircraft types that have appeared in recent years, it is plausible that the new carrier-based aircraft referred to by the PLA Daily is a carrier-based drone—most likely either the Attack-21 or the Attack-11.

Earlier, Hong Kong media outlet South China Morning Post reported that the People’s Liberation Army had conducted deployment tests of the Attack-11 drone on the Shandong. However, due to the lack of aerial refueling capability in earlier models, the Attack-11 could only perform reconnaissance missions at that time.

Subsequently, official Chinese media also showcased animated simulations demonstrating the takeoff and landing of drones like the Attack-11 on aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships—further confirming that the trend of integrating drones into carrier strike groups is gradually maturing.

Deploying large drones such as the Attack-11 on aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships offers clear tactical advantages. High-altitude, long-endurance, or stealth-capable drones can more flexibly approach enemy radar coverage and fleet defensive perimeters, transmitting target information in real-time via directional data links, and even guiding anti-ship missiles to launch long-range precision strikes.

The integration of drones significantly enhances the reconnaissance coverage and survivability of carrier strike groups, injecting new variables into future naval warfare paradigms and marking a solid step forward for China’s navy in intelligent and unmanned combat capabilities.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863155542048777/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.