China launches Fujian, PLA Navy’s 3rd aircraft carrier
- The Type 003 is China’s first carrier to use an advanced electromagnetic catapult system to launch planes from its deck
- The warship left the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai on Friday to begin testing of its mooring and navigation systems
The Fujian – named after the southeastern coastal province – left the Jiangnan shipyard in Shanghai, after at least two delays. The launch was televised by state broadcaster CCTV.
The Type 003 warship, with a hull number of 18, is the first carrier in China’s fleet to use an electromagnetic catapult to launch planes from the deck.
The launch of the Fujian makes the Type 003 the second carrier class in the world – after the US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford class – to use the advanced catapult system that allows planes to launch more frequently and with a bigger payload of fuel and munitions.
That translates to more sorties and a larger striking and reconnaissance range, compared to the ramp-assisted launchers on China’s other two carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong.
With the Fujian, China has leapfrogged the older and less power-efficient steam catapult launcher to replace its ski-jump take-off ramps with the most advanced electromagnetic catapults.