China releases new images of next-generation aircraft carrier

CCTV evening news showed China's first aircraft carrier Fujian equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, being towed by three tugboats and appearing to have J-15 fighter jets on its flight deck.

This is the first time the Fujian has appeared in state media since April. Including the carrier in such an important news program could signal the state's confidence in the ship's development.

The Liaoning and Shandong, China’s first two aircraft carriers, launch aircraft using ski-jump ramps. The Fujian’s catapults are powered by electromagnets, allowing aircraft to be launched more frequently and carry more fuel and ammunition. The United States is the only country with aircraft carriers equipped with this technology.

Yin Hongxin, a Chinese naval officer, said in the report that the ship had undergone “scheduled” docking trials. The Fujian has yet to undergo sea trials to test its systems and components.

Song Zhongping, a former expert with the People's Liberation Army, said the Fujian would likely be dry-docked for improvements after the mooring tests. It could also be moved so the hull could be cleaned and demagnetized.

The degaussing process will disable the ship’s magnetic field, which if left unchecked will make it easier for enemy weapons and magnetically sensitive sensors to detect the ship. “The sea trial mission is very important, so the Fujian will not be in port for long,” Song said.

Mai Van (according to SCMP)

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