Fujian (18)
Class overview
NameChinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian
BuildersJiangnan Shipyard
Operators People's Liberation Army Navy
Preceded byType 002 Shandong
Succeeded byType 004
Planned1
Building1
History
China
Name
  • Fujian
  • (Chinese: 福建舰)
NamesakeFujian province
BuilderJiangnan Shipyard
Laid downMarch 2015 – February 2016
Launched17 June 2022
StatusSea Trials
General characteristics
Class and typeType 003
TypeAircraft carrier
Displacement
Length300 m (984 ft 3 in) (waterline)[4]
316 m (1,036 ft 9 in) (flight deck)[5]
Beam39.5 m (129 ft 7 in) (waterline)[1]
76 m (249 ft 4 in) (flight deck)[6]
PropulsionSteam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, >220,000 hp (164MW)[7]
Aviation facilitiesHangar deck

Fujian (18; Chinese: 福建舰; pinyin: Fújiàn Jiàn), named after Fujian province, is the third aircraft carrier of the Chinese aircraft carrier programme and the first of the Type 003 class (NATO/OSD Fujian-class CV).[8] Built by the Jiangnan Shipyard for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Fujian was launched on June 17, 2022 and is currently fitting out as of January 2024. It is China's first CATOBAR aircraft carrier[9] with a fully indigenous design,[10] an integrated propulsion system[11] and three electromagnetic catapults,[12][13][14] unlike the ski-jump flight decks of the previous Chinese aircraft carriers.

The Type 003 class was originally unofficially called Type 002 when Shandong, China's then-incomplete second carrier, was believed to be designated Type 001A. Shandong's official designation, Type 002, was revealed during commissioning. Observers hence believed the third carrier will be the Type 003.[4]

Design

The Type 003 carrier is expected to use steam turbines and electromagnetic catapults,[12][13][7] whereas preceding Chinese carriers launched aircraft with ski jumps.[12][9] According to Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping, Fujian has an integrated power system (IPS).[11]

The carrier's displacement is expected to be similar to the unfinished 85,000-ton Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk[15] and the United States Navy's 100,000-ton supercarriers.[16] Early assessment measured the Type 003 at approximately 300 m (330 yd) long; renewed assessment indicated that its length was 316 m (346 yd) and has an angled flight deck 76 m (83 yd) wide.[17][5][6] Comparisons have also been drawn to the American Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers.[18][19] Earlier press reports and Chinese media generally suggested that the ship might have a displacement of around 80,000 tons to 85,000 tons. Later assessments, backed by satellite images, suggested the displacement was underestimated, and the Type 003 carrier might be closer in displacement to about 100,000 tons.[13][20][21]

The Type 003 is the first Chinese aircraft carrier to support catapult-assisted take-offs. It has three electromagnetic catapults: two on the bow deck, and one along the aft-port towards the angled landing deck exit. The carrier is also suspected to be equipped with integral defensive weapons on side platforms below the flight deck, such as air defense missile pods and close-in weapon systems.

In 2019, analyst Robert Farley believed that the Type 003 would be the "largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built outside the United States".[15]

Development

Fujian at the Jiangnan Shipyard in 2022

The Type 003 was originally intended to use steam catapults.[4] In 2013, PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo said that China's next aircraft carrier would be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system.[22] Multiple prototypes were spotted by media in 2012, and aircraft capable of using such system were tested at naval research facilities.[23] The change to electromagnetic (EM) catapults likely explains the increase in size from previous Chinese carriers.[4]

Construction of the carrier began in the mid-2010s. The exact date is not known; The National Interest reported March 2015;[24] The Diplomat reported that "initial work" had begun in February 2016, followed by a notice to proceed given to the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group in March 2017.[25] Works were reportedly delayed in June 2017 by electromagnetic and steam catapult tests.[26] By November 2017, the Navy had reportedly developed an IEP system to power electromagnetic catapults, allowing work on the Type 003 to resume.[12][27][28]

Prefabricated block modules were moved from the manufacturing facility to the staging area in May 2020, and into dry dock in July 2020. Almost all of the keel and base hull blocks were in the dock by early September 2020, although the foremost part of the bow was missing. Measurements based on satellite and aerial photography suggested a hull/waterline length of 300 meters — nearly the flight deck length of China's existing carriers — a maximum beam of 40 m (131 ft 3 in), and a displacement of more than 85,000 tonnes (84,000 long tons).[4] In mid-2020, anonymous Chinese sources projected a launch in the first half of 2022.[13] In September 2020, Rick Joe of The Diplomat projected a launch in mid-2022 at the earliest.[4]

In July 2021, satellite pictures showed that construction was moving ahead, with key elements such as the superstructure and three catapult launch systems being added to the hull.[29][17] On November 10, Bloomberg reported that "China is three to six months away from launching its third aircraft carrier", citing a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.[30]

The aircraft carrier, officially named Fujian, was launched with the hull number "18" on June 17, 2022.[31] This name received scrutiny in Western media as its namesake, the coastal Fujian province, is located directly opposite Taiwan island across the strait.[32][33][34] However, a PLA Navy spokesperson explained that Chinese aircraft carriers are named after provinces, as per PLAN vessel naming regulations. Previous Chinese aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, are also named after provinces of China.[35]

The third carrier is expected to have an expanded carrier air wing. In September 2016, a CATOBAR-launched prototype of the J-15 carrier-based fighter was spotted in Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). A ground-based test facility was built to simulate aircraft catapult operation for the third carrier.[36] In 2018, defense analyst Kyle Mizokami predicted the carrier would operate an air group of 40 fighter aircraft, plus propeller-powered transport and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.[37] In 2020, the KJ-600 carrier-based AEW&C aircraft began test flights.[38][39]

In 2021, analysts reported that the third carrier will operate the J-15B variant, featuring CATOBAR capability, modern fifth-generation avionics, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, new airframes, stealth coatings, new turbofan engines with possible thrust-vectoring capability,[40][41] and compatibility to launch PL-10 and PL-15 missiles.[42] The J-15B is viewed as an interim 4.5-generation carrier-based fighter until a dedicated fifth-generation successor enters service.[41] An upgraded version of the Shenyang FC-31 prototype stealth fighter, unofficially named the J-35, is suspected to be that fifth-generation fighter chosen to operate on Fujian.[43][44]

In April 2023, the third carrier started power and mooring trials and is expected to undergo sea trials in late 2023 to early 2024.[45][46] In November 2023, the carrier began testing of the onboard electromagnetic catapult.[47]

On January 2, 2024, the state-owned Central China Television revealed in a segment of its nightly news program Xinwen Lianbo an aerial footage of Fujian, with its three catapult tracks clearly visible.[48][49][50] A mockup of a carrier-based aircraft can also be seen parked on the stern deck.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Jialong Jiao, Huilong Ren, Christiaan Adika Adenya (15 July 2015). "Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Hull Girder Vibrations and Bow Impact of a Large Ship Sailing in Waves". Shock and Vibration 2015(3):1-10. p. 2. Retrieved 17 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "我国第三艘航空母舰下水命名 许其亮出席下水命名仪式". 新华网. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  3. ↑ Lau, Jack (17 June 2022). "China launches Fujian, PLA Navy's 3rd aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Joe, Rick (29 September 2020). "003 and More: An Update on China's Aircraft Carriers". The Diplomat. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  5. 1 2 "China launches third aircraft carrier". 17 June 2022. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 ZACH (17 June 2022). "China Launches Fujian Type 003 Carrier – Here's What We Know". Overt defence. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 王世纯 (19 June 2022). "一周军评：横空出世的福建舰" (in Simplified Chinese). 观察者网. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "China". www.oni.navy.mil. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  9. 1 2 Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2020 (PDF) (Report). United States Department of Defense. 1 September 2020. pp. 44, 47. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  10. ↑ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (17 June 2022). "China upgrades its naval force with its first indigenous aircraft carrier". NPR.
  11. 1 2 "福建艦象徵國產航母實現跨越式發展". 香港文匯報. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Minnie Chan (1 November 2017). "Breakthrough to power most advanced jet launch system on China's second home-grown aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
  13. 1 2 3 4 O'Rourke, Ronald (29 March 2021). China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities - Background and Issues for Congress (PDF) (Report). Congressional Research Service. pp. 14–15. RL33153. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  14. ↑ Jack Lau (17 June 2022). "China launches Fujian, PLA Navy's 3rd aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post.
  15. 1 2 Farley, Robert (10 May 2019). "The Significance of China's Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  16. ↑ "Exclusive: Analysts - Images show construction on China's third - and largest - aircraft carrier". Reuters. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  17. 1 2 Rick Joe (4 August 2021). "A Tale of 2 Navies: India and China's Current Carrier and Escort Procurement". The Diplomat. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  18. ↑ Funaiole, Matthew P.; Jr, Joseph S. Bermudez; Hart, Brian (15 June 2021). "China's Third Aircraft Carrier Takes Shape". CSIS.
  19. ↑ Chen, Frank (28 May 2019). "Third PLA carrier could be China's Kitty Hawk". Asia Times. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "Construction of Chinese Type 003 CV-18 aircraft carrier continues to progress at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai". Navy Recognition. 18 June 2021.
  21. ↑ Rising, David; Moritsugu, Ken (17 June 2022). "China launches high-tech aircraft carrier in naval milestone". The Washington Post.
  22. ↑ "Chinese aircraft carrier should narrow the gap with its U.S. counterpart". english.peopledaily.com.cn. People's Daily. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "简氏:中国试飞改进型歼-15 或用于测试电磁弹射器_《参考消息》官方网站". Cankaoxiaoxi.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  24. ↑ "China's Next Aircraft Carrier: Everything We Know (So Far)". The National Interest. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "China Kicks Off Construction of New Supercarrier". The Diplomat. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "China Explores Electromagnetic Carrier Launch System". AIN online. 6 July 2017.
  27. ↑ "China's New Aircraft Carrier to Use Advanced Jet Launch System". The Diplomat. 1 November 2017.
  28. ↑ Johnson, Reuben F (2 November 2017). "China claims to have developed conventionally powered electromagnetic catapult". Jane's 360.
  29. ↑ "China's third aircraft carrier could launch this year but still needs jets". 16 July 2021.
  30. ↑ "China Nears Launch of First Modern Aircraft Carrier, Report Says". Bloomberg.com. 10 November 2021.
  31. ↑ Lau, Jack (17 June 2022). "China launches Fujian, PLA Navy's 3rd aircraft carrier". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  32. ↑ Martin Quin Pollard (18 June 2022). "China launches third aircraft carrier, named after province opposite Taiwan". Reuters. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  33. ↑ Sinéad Baker (17 June 2022). "China launches its 3rd aircraft carrier, naming it after the province directly facing Taiwan". Business Insider. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "China launches new aircraft carrier in bid to catch up with US capability". Financial Times. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  35. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (17 June 2022). "China Launches The Fujian, Its Most Capable Aircraft Carrier Yet (Updated)". The Drive.
  36. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (18 November 2020). "Footage suggests China testing another J-15T CATOBAR-capable prototype". Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  37. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (19 January 2018). "China's Next Aircraft Carrier Will Be a Massive Leap Forward". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  38. ↑ Helfrich, Emma (25 July 2022). "Our First Clear Look At China's KJ-600 Carrier-Based Radar Plane's Nose". The Drive.
  39. ↑ Sutton, H I (13 September 2020). "China's New Carrier Early-Warning Plane Is More Than A Hawkeye Clone". Forbes.
  40. ↑ "'Super Flanker' on an Aircraft Carrier: First Look at China's Newest Fighter the J-15B". Military Watch Magazine. 15 December 2021.
  41. 1 2 Joe, Ricke (20 May 2021). "China's J-15 Carrierborne Fighter: Sizing up the Competition". The Diplomat.
  42. ↑ Childs, Nick (10 June 2022). "Catapulting China's Carrier Capabilities". IISS.
  43. ↑ Kass, Harrison (5 December 2023). "J-35: China Is Working On a Stealth Fighter to Fly from Aircraft Carriers". The National Interest. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  44. ↑ Vavasseur, Xavier (23 July 2022). "This Is The Clearest Photo Yet Of Chinese Navy's J-35 Fighter". Naval News. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  45. ↑ Hart, Brian (17 May 2023). "How Advanced Is China's Third Aircraft Carrier?". ChinaPower Project. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  46. ↑ Hille, Kathrin (13 September 2023). "China's newest aircraft carrier prepares to take to the seas". Financial Times.
  47. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (27 November 2023). "China's New Aircraft Carrier Begins Catapult Testing". The Drive.
  48. ↑ Axe, David (5 January 2024). "Super aircraft carrier Fujian is nearly ready for a China-Taiwan war. US Navy, stand by". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  49. ↑ Singh, Namita (4 January 2024). "China unveils new images of next-generation aircraft carrier days before Taiwan election". The Independent. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  50. ↑ Lau, Jack (3 January 2024). "China gives first official look at Fujian aircraft carrier's advanced catapult launch system". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
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