Pictures published by Chinese websites showed the readiness of the newest aircraft carrier of the Chinese fleet, nicknamed “Fujian”, to conduct training exercises for several new systems that were installed inside it, one of which is the “electromagnetic catapult”, which was only used in the United States.
In his commentary to Sky News Arabia, a military expert monitors the advantages of the Chinese carrier, and the impact of its presence with the new systems on competition with Washington in the South China Sea.
The Fujian aircraft carrier, which will operate within the scope of the US Seventh Fleet, at this sea, in which the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier is located, is the third Chinese aircraft carrier, and the most powerful among them.
According to the Chinese newspaper “South China Morning Post”, “Fujian” is preparing to test the latest launch systems with the help of the ship’s electromagnetic catapult, a technology that has only been used in the world within the United States.
The newspaper quoted military experts as saying that the absence of a cover on one of the aircraft launch systems indicates that such tests may be imminent.
It is the Chinese J-15T fighter jets that will be tested on this system, which is an updated version of the J-15 fighter and has been equipped to work with the new catapult system, according to the same source.
What is a plane catapult?
• It is a device used to allow it to take off at great speed over a short distance over an aircraft carrier.
• Its aim is to deliver the aircraft’s speed from 0 to 200 kilometers within two seconds.
• It consists of a track or a slot built into the surface of the aircraft carrier, and under it there is a piston attached to the ropes at the front of the aircraft.
• Once the piston pressure reaches the required level, the tension rods are lifted off the plane to go very quickly on the take-off track, allowing it to fly in the air.
• In the past, other means were used to propel the catapult, such as weight, lever, gunpowder, flywheel, air pressure, hydraulic and steam power, and solid fuel rocket boosters.
Comparison of “Fujian” and “Ronald Reagan”
This development draws attention to the knowledge of the capabilities of the Chinese and American aircraft carriers.
Chinese aircraft carrier
• According to official sources, the Fujian carrier will operate within the scope of Taiwan; That is, you will be face to face with the US Seventh Fleet, which includes the USS Ronald Reagan.
• In view of the declared capabilities, “Fujian” can carry combat aircraft with foldable wings, fixed-wing drones, and early warning and control aircraft.
• It was officially launched in June 2022, and is 320 meters long and 73 meters wide.
• The displacement of the ship may range from 80,000 tons to 85,000 tons, and it can carry 57 thousand tons.
• It can carry more than 40 combat aircraft, and contains 3 elevators for aircraft, and 3 launch pads that allow the operation of large aircraft.
• The propulsion engine is nuclear and contains advanced technology.
US aircraft carrier
• Built in 1996 and entered service in 2003, it became the first nuclear-powered warship.
• It carries 3,000 sailors on its deck, and 90 warplanes.
• Its main port is in Japan.
• Most of its missions, as the US Navy declares, is to maintain freedom of navigation.
What does Fujian add to China?
The military expert, Jamal Al-Rifai, enumerates the advantages he sees in “Fujian”, and the influence it will give Beijing:
• The technologies used in the new Chinese aircraft carrier are very similar to the American technology.
• Washington has accused Beijing of stealing military technologies and adding them to the aircraft carrier, but Beijing considers this competition not subject to intellectual property laws.
• The electromagnetic ejection system allows the launching of large-sized aircraft and huge fuel carriers, and reduces the time interval between launching the aircraft and the next to less than two minutes.
• The new carrier also contains air defense systems and very accurate missile launches, and the radars used detect enemies at long distances.
• It will be a strong addition to China, giving it more control in the South China Sea.
• The confrontation with the US aircraft carrier “Reagan” will not be easy, but the scales are close.
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2023-07-13 05:41:33
