China has launched its newest, most advanced aircraft carrier in a major move that will
expand its control of the high seas. The Type 003 supercarrier was launched on the 17 June,
2022, by the Jiangnan Shipyard located in Shanghai, at the mouth of the Yantze River. A
maritime traffic notice by the Chinese authorities restricted the movement of large cargo ships
using the nearby routes for the duration of the launch operation. The Type 003
is the country’s third aircraft carrier, and the second carrier built domestically.
The ship displaces between 85,000 to 100,000 tons, making it comparable to the American supercarrier,
the Ford class. The flight deck is about 320 metres long and 78 metres wide,
which is only slightly smaller than the Ford. However, the Type 003 is conventionally powered.
The Chinese supercarrier contains a large number of cutting-edge technologies, including
integrated electric propulsion and electromagnetic catapults. Unlike China’s two active carriers,
which use a ski-jump to launch aircrafts, the Type 003 uses aircraft catapults that
will enable a heavier and more diverse airwing. The Type 003 was constructed by the Jiangnan
Shipyard in Shanghai. The shipyard is based on an island at the mouth of the Yangtze River.
Technically speaking, the construction time between laying the keel and the ship’s launch
is only two years. But work on the individual modules of the ship began as early as 2016,
before they were assembled in the drydock. The Jiangnan Shipyard produces both commercial
and military ships. It has built every type of modern Chinese destroyers and frigates,
but no submarines. The launch came after months of subdued activity at the Jiangnan Shipyard, which
was due to lockdown measures aimed at combating the latest Covid-19 outbreaks in Shanghai.
The Type 003 carrier has an integrated mast positioned within the island. An integrated
electronic mast is a hallmark of modern warships. Throughout naval history, the best position
for a ship’s radars is on top of the highest point. But this means multiple sensors tended
cluster together, which interferes with each other and increases the overall radar signature. The
integrated mast resolves this issue by embedding the radars, navigation, and communication devices
within a single structure. It is designed to permit the various electronics to operate
simultaneously without mutual interference. It should also provide a 360-degree line of sight,
and a reduction in radar cross section, making the carrier more stealthy.
The Type 003 carrier also features integrated electric propulsion. This means that any turbines
or other power-generating element within the ship is not connected directly to the propellers.
But they are only used to produce electrical power, which is then transferred to electric
motors driving the propellers. This configuration has key advantages. For example, electric motors
are quieter than conventional engines, and hence less visible to sonar. The space and weight
requirements are also lower compared to diesel or gas propulsion. Integrated electric propulsion
is more versatile in the distribution of power output. It has the capability to direct electrical
power to any individual components, for example the radars or the aircraft catapult, whichever the
situation requires. This last point is important, because the integrated electric propulsion has
good synergy with the carrier’s aircraft catapults, which depends on stored energy.
The Type 003 carrier has three aircraft launch positions equipped with electromagnetic catapults.
They have many advantages over the more traditional steam catapults. Compared to a steam
catapult, the electromagnetic catapult allows for a greater take-off weight, and places less strain
on the airframes, reducing the wear and tear. It also allows for a higher sortie rate. It is also
easier to maintain. The Chinese Navy has basically skipped a whole generation of carrier catapults,
by going straight for the electromagnetic version, and bypassing the steam catapults. Reportedly,
this decision has delayed the launch of the Type 003 by one year, but it also means that
the Chinese Navy is getting a supercarrier that is more comparable technologically with the US Navy.
The aircraft catapult will allow for the operation of heavier aircrafts than what is possible on the
two active carriers. This includes the KJ-600 early warning and control aircraft, an important
force multiplier. It should feature a very large AESA radar, which will massively expand the vision
and the situation awareness of the carrier group and airwing. The KJ-600 will also be a key node
in the battle management of carrier fighters. The combat airwing is expected to include the
J-15T, the upgraded version of the J-15 fighter that is compatible with aircraft catapults. It
is a 4.5 generation jet fighter, equipped with a state-of-the-art AESA fire control radar, and also
China’s latest air-to-air warfare missiles. They include the PL-10 short-range missile,
and the PL-15 beyond-visual-range missile. The J-15T can also carry a heavy load of anti-ship
weapons, and, because of the aircraft catapult, the J-15T can take off with this heavy weight.
The Type 003 carrier will also field the J-35, a fifth-generation carrier fighter
under development. The J-35 meets the new norms of stealthy design, for example it has carefully
aligned angles, blended surfaces, and anti-radar coating. Chinese analysts expect the J-35 to be on
par with the US Navy’s fifth-generation carrier fighters, the F-35B and F-35C.
The Chinese Navy has also built up a blue-water naval force to escort the Type 003 carrier.
To defend against aerial threats, the Type 003 would call upon the Type 055 and the Type 052D
air warfare destroyers. To defend against submarines, the aircraft carrier can rely on the
numerous Chinese frigates, which are well equipped with towed array sonars and variable depth sonars.
All told, the Type 003 carrier is comparable in term of dimensions to the supercarriers
of the US Navy. In many respects, it is at the cutting edge of naval aviation technology. It
has an integrated electronic mast, integrated electric propulsion,
and electromagnetic catapults. It will also have a very capable and diverse airwing. The Type 003
can be rightfully considered the best conventional carrier in the world.