Technical Breakthroughs and Strategic Impacts of FuJian Aircraft Carrier

Technical Breakthroughs and Strategic Implications of FuJian's Electromagnetic Catapult System

I. Training Accomplishments and Strategic Significance

1.1 Coordinated Operations of Three Aircraft Types

Prior to September 22, 2025, the J-15T (catapult variant), J-35 (5th-gen stealth fighter), and KJ-600 (fixed-wing AEW) successfully completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult launches and arrested landings, validating the Fujian's multi-aircraft compatibility.

• The J-35's rapid stealth-mode activation post-launch reduces radar exposure by 90%

• KJ-600 operations extend the carrier group's detection radius to 500km, enabling persistent domain awareness

1.2 Technological Milestones

• World's first carrier achieving 5th-gen stealth fighter (J-35) electromagnetic launch/recovery

• Electromagnetic catapult system demonstrates 20% faster response than U.S. Ford-class steam catapults, sustaining 30 sorties/hour

1.3 Operational Relevance

The Fujian's combat readiness manifests through:

1. A 2,000km operational radius enabled by integrated J-35/J-15T/KJ-600 formations, synergizing precision strike with stealth penetration

2. 500km early warning coverage creating an A2/AD bubble against complex threats

3. Strategic deterrence reshaping global naval balances while safeguarding maritime stability

II. Technical Specifications

2.1 J-35 Catapult Optimization

• Launch Profile : Mach 0.8-1.2 progressive acceleration via 120m EM rail (25-ton peak thrust)

• Landing Precision : ±0.3m error (LSO optical + BeiDou guidance) vs F-35C's ±0.5m

2.2 KJ-600 Deck Innovations

Feature	Specification	Improvement
Folding Wings	24m→8m span	40% deck space saved
Dual-pulse Engine	0-250km/h in 180m	15% fuel savings

2.3 J-15T Performance Enhancement

• WS-10B engine upgrade delivers 12% thrust increase

• 33t max takeoff weight (3t payload gain vs ski-jump)

  III. Strategic Value and Future Prospects

  3.1 Combat System Restructuring

  • The KJ-600's radar system achieves simultaneous tracking of 200 targets and command coordination for 8 J-35 combat units, establishing a 2,000-km situational awareness network.

  • The electromagnetic catapult enables mixed formations of 12 J-35s, 4 J-15Ts, and 2 KJ-600s per sortie, increasing strike efficiency by 300%.

  3.2 Technology Spillover Effects

  • Land-based electromagnetic catapult systems have been developed for pilot training.

  • Landing data from Fujian's carrier-based aircraft will provide critical parameters for the angled deck design of the Type 004 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

  3.3 Global Naval Landscape Impact

  • China has become the first nation to operationally integrate fixed-wing AEW aircraft (KJ-600) with stealth fighters (J-35) via electromagnetic catapult, surpassing certain performance metrics of current U.S. Navy systems and breaking the U.S. monopoly in carrier technology.

  • Fujian's operational deployment will compel Asia-Pacific navies to reassess their air defense systems, potentially triggering a new round of carrier-based aircraft technology competition.