China launches its third “Fujian” aircraft carrier

The newest aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy was launched at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai on June 17

China has finally launched its long-awaited Type 003 aircraft carrier, Fujian (CV-18), similar in capability to the aircraft carriers of the “Nimitz” and “Ford” class of the US Navy.

The vessel, with conventional propulsion, is about 315 meters long (300 meters at the waterline) and 78 meters wide (40 meters at the waterline). Its displacement should be about 85,000 tons.

China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning And the Shandongbased on the Russian aircraft carrier project Admiral Kuznetsov, It is a STOBAR (Short Take Off but Suspended Recovery) variant, which uses a “ski jump” ramp to launch fixed-wing aircraft. The STOBAR setting specifies the maximum take-off weight of aircraft and the number of aircraft launched per period.

The Type 003 is a CATOBAR (catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery), three electromagnetic slingshots similar to American EMALS slingshots. This configuration will allow the 003 to launch more aircraft with more weapons and fuel, as well as allow the operation of the KJ-600 (AEW) airborne early warning aircraft.

The new aircraft carrier will also power the new J-35 stealth fighter and new versions of the J-15.