The mainland's first aircraft carrier was expected to host the 'simulated' landing of a jet fighter yesterday, the fourth day of its five-day maiden voyage, according to state media.
A navigation ban and a radio control notice were put in place yesterday by the Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration covering an area of the northeast Bohai Sea 17 nautical miles in radius from the shipyard where the carrier normally docks, the Global Times newspaper reported. The landing trials would go ahead if the weather allowed, it said.
Jet fighters were expected to approach the carrier, the Varyag, and then ascend without actually touching down on the flight deck, a source told the newspaper.
The jets used in the drills were said to be J-15s, a heavy fighter dubbed the PLA navy's 'Flying Shark'.
The source said the drills were intended to test the radar and optical landing systems of the 300-metre former Soviet vessel, which China bought in an unfinished state from Ukraine in 1998.
There was no official confirmation of whether trials had taken place as we went to press.