China Launches Stealth Jet From Electromagnetic Catapult Aircraft Carrier (usni.org)
- Reference: 0179478516
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/09/22/239219/china-launches-stealth-jet-from-electromagnetic-catapult-aircraft-carrier
- Source link: https://news.usni.org/2025/09/22/chinese-aircraft-carrier-fujian-launches-stealth-jet-early-warning-aircraft-in-catapult-tests
> The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has demonstrated its ability to [2]launch and recover aircraft from its first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier , the
>> CNS Fujian
> . Official imagery released by the PLAN today confirms that the new J-35 naval stealth fighters, KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, and J-15T fighter jet are carrying out carrier trials. Ben Lewis, a co-founder of
>> PLATracker
> , told
>> USNI News
> that the test was a "significant milestone" for the Chinese military's carrier program. "Once operational, the PLAN will have the capacity to field fifth-generation stealth carrier aircraft, supported by fixed-wing carrier-based airborne early warning and command aircraft, across the first island chain and Western Pacific Ocean," Lewis said.
>
> Electromagnetic catapults offer several advantages, not least the fact that they can be more finely tuned to very different aircraft types, including ones that are larger and slower (like the KJ-600), or which are smaller and lighter, such as smaller drones. In contrast to the U.S. Navy, which gathered decades of experience with steam-powered catapults, China opted for electromagnetic ones for its first catapult-equipped carrier. It's worth noting that the U.S. Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford was the first carrier ever to get an aircraft into the air using what is also referred to as an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). However, it has [3]not launched an F-35C so far, making the J-35 the first stealth jet to achieve this feat. Based on earlier predictions, the F-35C [4]may not do the same for some years.
[1] https://slashdot.org/~hackingbear
[2] https://news.usni.org/2025/09/22/chinese-aircraft-carrier-fujian-launches-stealth-jet-early-warning-aircraft-in-catapult-tests
[3] https://www.twz.com/air/chinas-aircraft-carrier-capability-just-made-a-stunning-leap-forward
[4] https://www.energy-reporters.com/news/they-spent-13-billion-on-a-mistake-uss-gerald-fords-electromagnetic-catapults-keep-failing-and-navy-cant-fix-them/
Just curious... (Score:3, Funny)
> The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy [...]
Was the pilot a member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force?
But... (Score:3)
The problem with the electromagnetic launch system is that every time it is used, the aircrew and everybody on the ship finds out their debit cards are erased.
Re: (Score:2)
Funny. Of course you do realize that recently-commissioned US aircraft carriers now use electromagnetic launchers too now right? They can be more finely tuned compared to steam catapults.
Re: (Score:2)
But seriously, we may eventually find out standing all day long near a functioning electromagnetic launch system has more health impacts for humans than a steam launch system.
Re: (Score:2)
As opposed to what, the massive magnets and magnetic field in the turbines that these ships use to generate power, and have done for more than 50 years?
Re: (Score:2)
Sorry but no. The electric catapult is nothing more than a linear electric motor. Think maglev trains. Or even EV motors. Besides that, we've been using induction motors for a hundred years. They operate in inducing eddy currents in a rotor using a changing magnetic field created by electric coils. Never mind being close to and underneath of electric transmission lines!
Re: (Score:2)
This isn't the Philadelphia Experiement. It's just a motor. In the grand scheme of functioning electromagnets, it's small peas.
Can the F-35 do anything on time and budget? (Score:4, Funny)
"Based on earlier predictions, the F-35C may not do the same for some years".
Given the F-35's "trailer queen" reputation, it would have been nice if at least US ships could chuck it at an enemy like a big, expensive metal rock.
Re:Can the F-35 do anything on time and budget? (Score:4, Informative)
Oh, crap, and I burned all my mod points this morning.
The first two years the thing was officially "operational" the software to fire the weapons hadn't actually been written and tested yet.
Re: (Score:2)
I know it is easy to rag on the F-35, but in the last 75 years, has any high performance aircraft been "on time and on budget and on mission"?
Re: (Score:2)
I don't know it's anything with the plane, the F35-C first launched from the land-based testing version of the electric catapult back in 2011:
[1]http://defensetech.org/2011/11... [defensetech.org]
and has been taking off from carriers with steam catapults for over a decade
[2]https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
[1] http://defensetech.org/2011/11/28/video-f-35c-launches-from-emals/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFGzgvgltMw
Re: (Score:2)
I recently read that the sales price is $105M but the lifetime maintenance cost is budgeted at $300M.
Re: (Score:1)
You're asking the wrong question here. The question you should be asking is:
"Can the US president receive 3 billion US dallas in the first 9 months in office via anonymous purchases of his shitcoin?"
When you [1]realize the answer is a resounding "yes" and that his kids got another $7B on top of these 3, [forbes.com] many things will begin to make sense to you.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/danalexander/2025/09/22/heres-how-much-the-trump-kids-have-made-because-of-the-presidency/