BY:SpaceEyeNews.
China has reached a major milestone in carrier aviation with its third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian. In newly released state media footage, a J-15T fighter jet was shown airborne above the deck of the Fujian, strongly indicating that China’s electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS) has achieved operational testing at sea. This event places China in a very exclusive group of nations capable of deploying such cutting-edge launch technology — a domain previously occupied only by the United States.
The footage, unveiled in a China Central Television (CCTV) military documentary trailer, marks a shift from land-based trials to actual carrier-aircraft integration at sea. Though brief, the sequence has sent shockwaves through global defense circles and confirmed that China’s naval modernization is accelerating at a faster pace than many experts anticipated.
A Silent Signal: What the Footage Revealed
The trailer released by CCTV, timed around the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), includes a short but telling sequence. A J-15T fighter is seen positioned on Fujian‘s flight deck, prepared for launch. The launch officer’s voice rings out: “Position 2, clear for takeoff.” What follows isn’t a cinematic launch — instead, the next frame shows the fighter jet already airborne, its shadow sweeping over the deck below.
This cleverly edited segment, though omitting the actual launch moment, leaves little doubt about the outcome. The airborne position of the aircraft, combined with its alignment on the EMALS track moments earlier, strongly suggests a successful electromagnetic-assisted launch.
While state media didn’t explicitly show the launch arc, the message is unmistakable: the catapult works, and the Fujian is now in advanced stages of its carrier qualification trials.
Fujian: China’s Technological Flagship
The Fujian, designated as Type 003, was officially launched on June 17, 2022. Unlike its predecessors — the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski-jump ramps for aircraft takeoff — the Fujian is the first Chinese carrier to adopt EMALS, a high-efficiency electromagnetic launch system.
This feature places the Fujian in the same class as the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. Electromagnetic catapults offer smoother, faster, and more controlled launches compared to traditional steam catapults, while eliminating the bulk and maintenance issues associated with older systems.
The Fujian is estimated to displace more than 80,000 tons, making it the largest Chinese carrier to date. It began its first sea trial on May 1, 2024, and has since accumulated over 100 days at sea conducting tests. These include assessments of propulsion, maneuverability, electronic control systems, radar calibration, and now, aircraft launch and recovery mechanisms.
State-run news outlet CCTV News previously reported in June that the Fujian is expected to be fully commissioned before the end of 2025, marking an impressively short transition from shipyard to potential full deployment.
The J-15T: Built for EMALS
At the center of this breakthrough is the J-15T, a heavily modified version of the standard J-15 carrier-based fighter jet. The original J-15, itself derived from the Russian Su-33 airframe, was designed for ski-jump launches and was constrained by weight and payload limitations.
In contrast, the J-15T is purpose-built for electromagnetic catapult launches. It features several upgrades:
- Reinforced airframe to handle EMALS acceleration forces.
- Fly-by-wire control systems adapted for precision takeoffs.
- Avionics compatibility with carrier deck systems.
- Modified landing gear and arresting hook for optimized recovery.
These adaptations are crucial because electromagnetic catapults require extremely accurate synchronization between ship and aircraft. Unlike steam catapults, which use a more uniform force, EMALS can be fine-tuned to each aircraft’s weight and loadout — reducing airframe stress and increasing sortie rate flexibility.
According to military affairs expert Fu Qianshao, the successful use of the J-15T at sea demonstrates that EMALS is not only technically functional, but operationally viable. He emphasized that validation on an actual carrier — rather than a land-based test site — is critical to account for variables like deck movement, sea state, and real-time adjustments.
Why EMALS Matters Globally
The adoption of EMALS is more than a technological upgrade — it reflects a strategic intent to modernize China’s ability to project power at sea. Compared to traditional steam catapults, electromagnetic launchers provide several critical advantages:
- Increased aircraft launch rates, boosting combat or mission readiness.
- Reduced maintenance requirements, making the ship more sustainable over long deployments.
- Launch flexibility, supporting light UAVs, AEW&C (early warning), or heavy fighters on the same platform.
Until now, only the U.S. Navy had demonstrated successful EMALS deployment aboard an operational carrier — namely, the USS Gerald R. Ford. With the Fujian now joining this capability bracket, China is signaling that it has closed a substantial technological gap.
The EMALS system allows the Fujian to support not only upgraded fighters like the J-15T, but also potentially next-generation carrier-based stealth aircraft. Rumors persist about a naval variant of the FC-31 (also called J-35), which could be launched from Fujian once integrated with EMALS certification.
This positions China to operate a wider variety of airframes, from combat to support platforms, without redesigning its launch infrastructure.
Strategic Timing and Broader Messaging
The release of the J-15T footage was no coincidence. It came just days ahead of the PLA’s 98th anniversary on August 1, 2025, and was part of a larger media rollout featuring:
- A nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
- The DF-17 hypersonic glide vehicle.
- Autonomous robotic dog units.
- Tactical aerial drones and AI-enabled ground systems.
The inclusion of the Fujian among these capabilities signals its importance not just as a ship, but as a symbol of China’s military-industrial maturation. It’s not just about showcasing steel and circuits — it’s about building a modern, integrated, and sustainable system for national defense and presence operations.
This trailer-style documentary communicates that China is no longer in the phase of experimenting with blueprints — it is now demonstrating functioning, deployed technologies that are nearing or entering service.
What Comes Next for the Fujian?
With sea trials ongoing and aircraft launch systems now visibly validated, the final steps before full commissioning include:
- Extensive deck handling training: Coordinating crews, elevators, and aircraft in real-time conditions.
- Air wing integration: Validating multiple aircraft types operating simultaneously.
- Combat systems testing: Verifying radar, CIWS (close-in weapon systems), and electronic countermeasures.
Experts believe the full operational certification of Fujian may happen within the next 12 months. If this timeline holds, China could have its most advanced carrier ready for real missions well ahead of expectations.
Once commissioned, Fujian is likely to serve as the flagship for a new generation of Chinese carrier strike groups — offering increased mobility, flexible response options, and greater air cover across maritime regions.
Though it is not nuclear-powered like its American counterparts, its electromagnetic catapult system gives it near-peer launching capability. Combined with China’s growing logistics and base infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, the Fujian will offer far more than symbolic presence — it will represent scalable reach and sustained operations.
Conclusion: A Shadow That Changed Everything
The world didn’t see the jet launch — but the shadow gliding across the deck said everything. In just a few seconds of footage, China confirmed that its most advanced carrier is not only floating but flying. The Fujian, paired with the EMALS-ready J-15T, has crossed into operational testing, moving from promise to proof.
This development shifts global perceptions of naval aviation. The U.S. is no longer the only nation with electromagnetic launch at sea. China has arrived in that space — quietly, quickly, and with purpose.
As we move closer to Fujian‘s commissioning, one question remains: If this is what China is showing publicly, what are they already testing behind closed doors?
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