Continued developments at a shipyard in northern China have been closely monitored by the global military intelligence community. Multiple commercial satellites have captured clear images of large ship modules being assembled, with various signs pointing to the long-anticipated Type 004 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Latest remote sensing data indicate that the construction of this vessel has entered a critical phase, with modular assembly and power compartment construction progressing smoothly. It is expected to be launched around 2027.
"Asia Defense Security" and the U.S. magazine "Military Observation" have confirmed that the full load displacement of this aircraft carrier will range between 110,000 to 120,000 tons. Once completed, it will surpass the U.S. Ford-class carriers in both displacement and combat capability, becoming the largest and most powerful nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world.
The Chinese Navy's demand for large aircraft carriers with catapult systems stems from strategic considerations for overseas deployment as well as the need for practical combat system development. Previously, there were debates over the development path of aircraft carriers: one side advocated for conventional-powered carriers with displacements below 100,000 tons to control costs and technical risks; the other side insisted on nuclear-powered carriers with displacements above 100,000 tons, arguing that this was a necessary condition for sustained long-range operations. The realization of the Type 004 aircraft carrier confirms the strategic priority of the nuclear-powered route, and this choice reflects China's technological accumulation in shipboard nuclear power. The Longwei project, a land-based prototype reactor in Leshan, Sichuan, has already achieved a 500MW power output. Fourth-generation molten salt reactor technology has been verified through nuclear-powered container ships, providing solid technical support for the aircraft carrier's nuclear power system.
Based on publicly available information, the Type 004 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is approximately 330 meters long and 43 meters wide. Its overall design continues the mature framework of previous carriers, with core improvements focused on key areas such as the island layout, elevator configuration, and catapult system. The island adopts a compact and small-scale design, moving it toward the rear of the ship. This adjustment not only saves more flight deck space but also reduces the path that aircraft must take to avoid the island during operations, directly improving deck efficiency. The elevator configuration is consistent with the Ford-class, with three elevators located at the stern of the port side and the middle of the starboard side. This layout, combined with the aft-positioned island, optimizes the flow of aircraft into and out of the midship triangular area, making the movement process more efficient.
The configuration of the electromagnetic catapult system has become a core highlight of the Type 004 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with two units each on the bow and the angled deck, totaling four catapults, which has sparked widespread discussion. The Rand Corporation once pointed out that the four catapults on the Ford-class may be excessive, but the core reason for this configuration lies in the insufficient reliability of its electromagnetic catapult system, requiring quantity to offset the risk of failure. The Ford-class catapults experience serious failures once every 272 launches, far short of the design standard.
China's electromagnetic catapult technology follows the medium-voltage direct current approach, achieving 20,000 consecutive trouble-free ground tests, and maintaining a record of zero errors after being deployed on board, with reliability 22 times that of the Ford-class. The Type 004 aircraft carrier's choice of four catapults is essentially based on its platform size of 110,000 to 120,000 tons, meeting the high-frequency launch requirements for 80 to 100 carrier-based aircraft. After all, with reliable technology, more catapults mean stronger continuous strike capabilities.
The optimized design of the angled deck is also worth noting. An excessively large angle can cause turbulent airflow during landing, increasing the difficulty for pilots to align with the deck, while the 6-degree angle design used on the Fujian Ship has been validated through actual combat, effectively enhancing landing stability. The Type 004 aircraft carrier will continue this optimization approach, combining an intelligent flight control scheduling system to achieve seamless integration of takeoff and landing operations, completely solving the previously raised concerns about interference between takeoff and landing. These detailed adjustments based on practical needs reflect China's transition from technology catching up to system optimization in aircraft carrier design.
Regarding the dispute over displacement, the international community generally praises the "number one" displacement of 110,000 to 120,000 tons, but rational analysis shows that a carrier's combat power is not solely determined by its tonnage. The Ford-class has a displacement of about 100,000 tons and carries 75 aircraft, while the Type 004, due to its more compact nuclear power system and electromagnetic catapult layout, can carry 15% more weapons and aircraft within a similar displacement.
However, increased displacement also means a sharp rise in construction costs and operational expenses. The single cost of a Ford-class carrier reaches $13 billion, whereas China's aircraft carriers can achieve comparable or even superior combat power at a lower cost through the integration of mature technologies. Therefore, the final displacement of the Type 004 aircraft carrier is likely to be a balanced result of technical indicators and economic efficiency. Even if it is slightly below 120,000 tons, its core combat power will still exceed that of the U.S. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
From the transformation of the Liaoning Ship to the breakthrough of electromagnetic catapult on the Fujian Ship, China's aircraft carriers have completed the development journey that took developed countries several decades in just over a decade. The accelerated construction of the Type 004 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is not only a leap in power form but also an upgrade in combat concepts. It will become a central node in the Chinese Navy's long-range operation system, working in conjunction with escort ships like the Type 055 destroyers to build an intelligent, integrated combat network of offense and defense.
In the future, as the nuclear-powered super aircraft carriers are gradually commissioned, the Chinese Navy will possess a more reliable global deployment capability, providing a solid guarantee for maintaining maritime channel security and national development interests, ultimately reshaping the global maritime security landscape.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569426032835461647/
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