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Global naval revolution: The new Chinese Aircraft Carrier, equipped with advanced technology, emerges as a potential challenger to the US Navy
A China has made significant strides in the field of naval defense, with the recent introduction of its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, the third to be built by Army Navy of Popular Liberation in just 12 years.
This new aircraft carrier, which follows in the footsteps of Liaoning and Shandong, promises to change the balance of power in the Pacific, directly rivaling the naval supremacy of US Navy. O Fujian is equipped with revolutionary aircraft launch technology, similar to that used by America's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.
The evolution of Chinese aircraft carriers
The development of aircraft carriers China began with the Liaoning, introduced in 2012. Originally built for the Soviet Union, the Liaoning was acquired by China after the dissolution of the USSR, undergoing a modernization process before being incorporated into the Chinese Navy.
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At 1.005 feet long and with a displacement of 60.000 tons, the Liaoning can carry about 40 aircraft, including J-16 fighters and utility and anti-submarine helicopters. However, its aircraft launch technology, based on a ski slope, limits the aircraft's payload and prevents the operation of heavier planes, such as the C-2 Greyhound, used by the US Navy.
The Chinese Navy's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, was the first to be built entirely in China. Despite representing a significant advance in terms of technological independence, Shandong shares the same limitations as Liaoning, using a ski ramp instead of a catapult to launch aircraft. This limitation has put China at a disadvantage compared to the US Navy, which has used steam catapults for more than half a century.
Technological advancement with Fujian
With the introduction of Fujian, China appears ready to overcome these limitations. This new aircraft carrier is the largest ever built by China, at 1.036 feet long and with a total displacement of 80.000 tons, just 20% less than the USS Gerald R. Ford. Furthermore, Fujian is the first Chinese aircraft carrier to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults, a tech which allows the launch of aircraft with greater payload, significantly improving range and firepower.
Fujian's electromagnetic catapult system is inspired by electric car powertrains, using a flywheel and winding wheel to store and release energy. This energy is then transferred to a steel cable that pulls the aircraft across the flight deck, launching it into the air. Although different from the EMALS system used by the US Navy, the Chinese system represents a significant advance for the Chinese Navy, which until then had depended on simpler technologies.
The comparison with the US Navy
The US Navy has been a pioneer in the use of electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, with the introduction of the USS Gerald R. Ford in 2017. The system EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) it replaced traditional steam catapults, providing greater efficiency and less stress for sailors on board. EMALS is capable of carrying out up to 270 aircraft launches per day in times of war, a 33% increase over steam catapults.
Although the Chinese system differs in some aspects, such as the use of a “eddy current clutch” to generate electromagnetic force, the adoption of this technology represents a great achievement for China. In just 12 years, the Chinese Navy has grown from a relatively modest naval force to a power capable of rivaling the US Navy in terms of technology and operational capabilities.
Implications for global geopolitics
The Fujian is expected to enter service in the coming years, bringing China's total number of aircraft carriers to three. While that number is still half of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers, China's rapid pace of construction and technological innovation indicates the country is determined to close the gap. If China continues at this pace, it could very well catch up to the US Navy in terms of aircraft carrier quantity and quality in the coming decades.
China's naval growth is a reflection of its global ambitions and its desire to project power beyond its borders. With Fujian, China demonstrates that it is ready to challenge the supremacy of the US Navy, establishing itself as a premier naval force. The big question that remains is how the United States and its allies will respond to this emerging challenge.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Fujian aircraft carrier marks a turning point in naval competition between China and the United States. Equipped with advanced aircraft launch technology, the Fujian not only represents a significant advancement for the People's Liberation Army Navy, but also signals China's intention to establish itself as a global naval power. As the Fujian prepares to enter service, the world will closely watch the implications of this new era of naval rivalry.
