Chinese Aircraft Carriers - Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian and the future

FuturePAF said:
Any indication a second conventionally powered EMALS-equipped carrier, presumably made at a different yard, would have any major differences in its design?
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IMO it will be most likely an evolved Fujian again built at Shanghai ... the first CVN I expect to be built at Dalian.
 
Deino said:
IMO it will be most likely an evolved Fujian again built at Shanghai ... the first CVN I expect to be built at Dalian.
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By evolved Fujian design, do you expect a difference in the propulsion? IEP? Gas Turbines like the CGT-40 at 42 MW each? The CGT-40 has been said to be used on the Type 076.

The ship would only need 4 CGT-40 engines (at 90% efficiency of promised power output) and a similar diesel layout as on the QE2 carriers to match the power on Nimitz carriers; 2 × Wärtsilä 16V38 and 2 x 12V38 marine diesel engines 40 MW (54,000 hp))

Thereby the evolved Fujian could match a Nimitz at 190 MW, leaving room for an “improvement” in the design; 4 catapults and 3 elevators. Allowing the PLAN to improve sortie rates and perfect how to manage generating the high sortie rates, on a more economical platform. The ship would have shorter legs but could be ideal for “near seas” operations, and a good replacement for the ski-jump carriers when the time comes in the not to distant future, especially for the Type 001.

chinapower.csis.org

How Advanced Is China’s Third Aircraft Carrier? | ChinaPower Project

This page provides key details about China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, which was commissioned on November 5, 2025..
chinapower.csis.org chinapower.csis.org

The Fujian is said to be powered by:
Conventional steam turbines with diesel generators
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China’s Shipborne Gas Turbine Engine Overtakes Britain, Poised for Deployment on 076 Ship

Recently, a certain gas turbine engine's exhaust system testing was completed three days ahead of schedule, smoothly accomplishing all test objectives and passing the on-site review. In the reports, there were frequent mentions of "engine installation on ships," "system onboarding," and "test...
www.china-arms.com www.china-arms.com

The pros and cons of this change have been speculated on other blogs:
 
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The critical component of the thorium molten salt reactor was already shipped to Dalian by the late November of 2024.

大连院-熔融盐电解实验装置建设项目熔融盐电解实验装置撤项公告-必联网

招标项目编号：0712-244012403102/01项目名称：大连院-熔融盐电解实验装置建设项目熔融盐电解实验装置项目名称(英文)：DSHY- Molten Salt Electrolysis Experimental Device Consturction Project Molten Salt Elect，必联网中国领先的采购与招标电子商务网站!
www.ebnew.com

People have underestimated China's ambition.

Fujian is far more powerful than you imagine, and it is still being considered a flaw designed carrier because of converting the steam catapult into the EMALS. China won't produce any sister ship of Fujian.

And the Type 004 gonna be on another level.

MSR + Co2 generators gonna blow your mind. And it is 2 generations ahead of the Ford carrier.
 
More info on the development of the Type 004. Once the island is finished on the mockup in Wuhan, we will have a greater understanding how similar the Type 004 is to the Ford.

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FuturePAF said:
More info on the development of the Type 004. Once the island is finished on the mockup in Wuhan, we will have a greater understanding how similar the Type 004 is to the Ford.

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Personally, I prefer quantity over quality. I'd rather have 6 Type 003 than 2 Type 004.
 
I still don't see it as an aircraft carrier in the making ...

PLN maybe Type 004 CVN - 20250429 - lml碳酸.jpg
 
Two additional interesting news or at least rumours:

1. Interestingly, rumours have been circulating for days that the J-35 has already successfully completed its first takeoff & landing on the Fujian, but no photos have been released yet. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the Fujian's 1st sea trial and 央视军事 just posted this:

1746020419806.png

Here's the video: ... maybe there will actually be a surprise tomorrow!
(via @央视军事 from Weibo)

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5161107589957081…


2. "According to some talk on weibo, and as of now it's just unsubstantiated rumors, under the shed facing the dry dock, reactor pressure vessel components have arrived." (via SDF)

1746020512970.png
 
Deino said:
Two additional interesting news or at least rumours:

1. Interestingly, rumours have been circulating for days that the J-35 has already successfully completed its first takeoff & landing on the Fujian, but no photos have been released yet. Tomorrow is the first anniversary of the Fujian's 1st sea trial and 央视军事 just posted this:

View attachment 115682

Here's the video: ... maybe there will actually be a surprise tomorrow!
(via @央视军事 from Weibo)

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/5161107589957081…


2. "According to some talk on weibo, and as of now it's just unsubstantiated rumors, under the shed facing the dry dock, reactor pressure vessel components have arrived." (via SDF)

View attachment 115683
Click to expand...

1746055377424.png

1746055442116.png
According to his another post regarding EUV lithography, his post has no credibility nor professional.

 
via Weibo@央视军事

CCTV has released a preview of tonight's 21:16 broadcast of the program “Sharpening the Sword”. The program is related to the Fujian ship.
Let's wait patiently for 2 hours.

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Via Weibo … But no images released yet?!

IMG_0297.jpeg
 

Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian enters countdown to service as deck markings appear​

By Dimsumdaily Hong Kong
12:33AM Sat May 3, 2025



3rd May 2025 – (Beijing) The Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian, serving in the People’s Liberation Army Navy, has completed seven sea trials since its launch on 1st May of last year. It is the third aircraft carrier in China’s program and the first of the Type 003 class, succeeding the Type 002 Shandong, which is a modified Kuznetsov-class carrier. Recent reports indicate that markings for aircraft parking positions have been painted on the deck, leading to speculation that the carrier is preparing to enter active service.

Photos shared by internet users show the newly marked lines on Fujian’s deck, which serve as reference points for the positioning of aircraft. These markings are essential for maximizing the limited deck space and ensuring efficient operations without hindering main deck activities. Previously, the deck only featured model aircraft, making such markings unnecessary. The appearance of the lines suggests preparations for accommodating multiple aircraft.

Reports suggest that the ability to stage multiple aircraft on board indicates that Fujian has successfully completed most of its navigation tests. The sea trials have primarily focused on aircraft operations, and given the number of aircraft involved in testing, the marking of parking positions has become critical for safety and logistics. Observers believe that Fujian has likely finished its aircraft takeoff and landing tests and is gearing up for operational readiness with a capable number of aircraft.

 
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