Recently, the development of China's aircraft carriers has drawn global attention, especially the ski-jump carriers represented by the "Liaoning" and "Shandong," which have shown remarkable breakthroughs in technology and operations. According to Japanese media, China has not only pushed the potential of ski-jump carriers to a new height but also broken the traditional perception of the takeoff efficiency of ski-jump carrier-based aircraft through technical upgrades of the J-15T carrier-based fighter. Japan even believes that the training level of China's aircraft carriers is no longer significantly different from that of the United States.
Ski-jump carriers are considered a transitional solution to catapult carriers due to their relatively simple structure and lower construction cost. However, the Chinese Navy has not limited ski-jump carriers to a "transitional" position, but instead, through a series of technological innovations and tactical optimizations, has given them strong combat capabilities. Japanese media pointed out that China has made numerous improvements on the "Liaoning" and "Shandong," including optimized deck scheduling, streamlined takeoff and landing procedures, and improved maintenance efficiency of carrier-based aircraft. These improvements have significantly increased the sortie rate of China's ski-jump carriers, even approaching the level of catapult carriers in certain scenarios. That is to say, the takeoff efficiency of carrier-based aircraft does not completely depend on the takeoff method, but rather on the advantages of other supporting links. This improvement will also be applied to China's upcoming Fujian carrier, expecting China's catapult-type flat-deck carrier to achieve the highest sortie efficiency in the world.
For example, China has significantly shortened the takeoff interval time of the J-15 carrier-based fighter through precise coordination mechanisms for carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing and efficient deck operations. Japanese analysis believes that this efficient operational model benefits from the experience accumulated by the Chinese Navy through long-term training and deep optimization of the unique takeoff method of ski-jump carriers. This "Chinese-style innovation" allows ski-jump carriers to achieve maximum combat effectiveness within limited deck space.
As the core equipment of China's ski-jump carriers, the performance upgrade of the J-15 carrier-based fighter is also remarkable. Japanese media specifically mentioned the improvements of the J-15T carrier-based fighter, especially its breakthroughs in the power system and takeoff weight. The J-15T is equipped with a more powerful domestically produced engine, significantly improving the thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing it to carry more fuel and weapons during ski-jump takeoff, thus greatly enhancing its operational range and strike capability.
Additionally, the J-15T has reduced takeoff resistance through body structure optimization and aerodynamic layout adjustments, further improving the takeoff efficiency of the ski-jump deck. Japanese experts analyzed that the takeoff weight of the J-15T has approached or even exceeded the level of some catapult carrier-based aircraft, such as the French Charles de Gaulle class. This technological breakthrough has overturned the traditional perception of the performance of ski-jump carrier-based aircraft. In other words, "China has maximized the combination of ski-jump carriers and the J-15T, representing a new type of aircraft carrier operation mode."
Japanese media reports abound with admiration for the rapid development of the Chinese Navy. They point out that China's progress in aircraft carrier technology is not only reflected in hardware upgrades but also in the improvement of tactics and training systems. Through the coordinated optimization of the J-15T and ski-jump carriers, China has taken a solid step forward in long-range combat capabilities. In the future, with the commissioning of China's third aircraft carrier, the "Fujian," a flat-deck carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapult systems, the overall strength of China's aircraft carrier force will further increase.
The Chinese Navy, using ski-jump carriers as a platform, has successfully broken through the traditional perception of this type of aircraft carrier through technological innovation and tactical optimization. The performance enhancement of the J-15T carrier-based fighter complements the efficient aircraft carrier operation model, injecting strong combat capabilities into China's aircraft carrier battle groups. As Japanese media said, China is reshaping the rules of aircraft carrier operations in its own way, demonstrating the ambition and strength of a major naval power.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7519357633761935882/
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