In principle, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is essential for China's development of maritime power. After synthesizing various reviews and analyses, it seems that China is building a 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is almost certain to happen. Even online, there are views suggesting that the Chengfei sixth-generation fighter, J-36, will develop a naval version. The construction of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the deployment of sixth-generation fighters on board are quite related, and they can be analyzed together in the future.

(1) China indeed needs a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

The three domestically-built aircraft carriers currently in service all use conventional propulsion and are equipped with oil-fired boilers, so they require a stable supply of fuel to maintain electricity and power. Their fuel consumption is massive and they can run out of fuel within days. Aircraft carriers must be supplied by large oil tankers, which need to sail alongside them to deliver fuel. The farther the carrier strike group is from its homeland, the more severe the fuel issue becomes, and the more significant the pressure on fuel supplies from escort ships, destroyers, and cruisers. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier theoretically can operate for decades, requiring only food and supplies for the crew.

Not long ago, France's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sailed to the Asia-Pacific region, and recently, the British Navy's aircraft carrier "HMS Prince of Wales" also conducted a similar "return to the Asia-Pacific" voyage. They have overseas bases or even former colonies to dock at along the way. However, China currently has only two overseas bases available in Djibouti and Yunlang. Chinese aircraft carriers crossing the first and second island chains under the eyes of the US-Japan alliance, the US-Philippines alliance, and the US-Australia alliance are not met with warm welcomes but rather the risk of being attacked by wartime opponents targeting supply vessels. During World War II, the famous attack on Pearl Harbor was completed by a Japanese aircraft carrier task force using conventional propulsion. However, due to fuel issues, they could not stay near their combat location, Oahu Island in Hawaii.

Lacking overseas bases or support points, the Chinese Navy finds it difficult to navigate from the Pacific back to the heartland of Europe, let alone penetrate deeply into the Pacific. However, the ability of Chinese aircraft carriers to approach targets further away from Asia and closer to North America is strategically very important. With nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, the Chinese Navy can operate far from the mainland, reaching the Indian Ocean and the eastern Pacific, and can engage in long-term operations near distant U.S. territories such as Guam and even Hawaii.

(2) Progress in domestic warship nuclear reactor technology, taking a new path

In 1958, the United States began constructing the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. At that time, without sufficiently powerful nuclear reactors, the U.S. military installed eight S5G reactors on the Enterprise. The current U.S. Navy's Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, which are facing retirement pressures, still rely on two nuclear reactors specially designed for driving large surface vessels.

China's exploration of shipboard nuclear power has also been going on for half a century. The country's first nuclear-powered warship, the first Type 091 attack nuclear submarine, was launched in 1974 and is now exhibited in a museum in Qingdao.

According to reports by the Associated Press, China is currently funding research into a large naval reactor. This research is being conducted at the base of the No. 1 Institute of China Nuclear Power Design & Research Academy (also known as the 909 Base). The 004 aircraft carrier, as disclosed by various media comments, uses the latest thorium-based molten salt reactor, which belongs to the fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy system.

Many key technologies and related technologies for utilizing molten salts are complex. On April 21, 2025,传来消息, the world's only built and operating molten salt reactor, the 2 MW thermal power liquid-fuel thorium-based molten salt experimental reactor, has started operation in Wuwei, Gansu Province.

Clearly, China does not need, nor is it necessary, to follow the old path of the U.S. Navy's Enterprise aircraft carrier, which involves stringing several smaller reactors together to power the carrier.

It is hoped that the domestically produced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier may be launched this year. Service will take a few more years. Next time, we can analyze the matter of deploying sixth-generation fighters on board.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499034725223334454/

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