The fourth Chinese: nuclear, with EMP catapults and railguns on the deck
Well, the photos are already circulating online; the Americans have spied on them, they've done a lot of spying. And why not, if they can afford it? After all, shouldn't the Pentagon be aware of what's going on in the places they're planning to fight? Quite reasonable, you know.
Recent US satellite images clearly indicate that China is continuing work on a new aircraft carrier, its fourth to be powered by nuclear propulsion. This comes just a week after the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) commissioned its first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Fujian. Meanwhile, there are indications that Beijing is working on at least one conventionally powered carrier, which doesn't preclude other plans to build more modern ships.
“More modern” means, of course, with nuclear reactors.
A close-up of the proposed Type 004 aircraft carrier under construction in Dalian.
Images of the new aircraft carrier, currently simply referred to as the Type 004, show the vessel taking shape at the Dalian shipyard. Currently, the image shows work that appears to be the installation of the reactor containment structure, a key component of the propulsion system.
The design is generally similar to that used on American nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and everyone agrees that what we're seeing is connected to the installation of a nuclear reactor. The US, of course, is openly hoping that this could be another test ship or perhaps a test module.
But this is unlikely. All images related to the Type 004 project that have appeared in the past show similarities to the US Navy's Ford-class aircraft carrier, as well as the future French next-generation aircraft carrier. And both of these ships are nuclear-powered.
Concept of China's future aircraft carrier
In its latest assessment of China's military power, the Pentagon does not directly mention a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, but notes that "China's next generation of aircraft carriers" will feature "greater endurance," which will "increase the striking power of a potential PLA Navy carrier battle group when deployed to areas beyond China's immediate periphery."
It's clear that only nuclear-powered ships possess the kind of autonomy that would allow them to operate in the Pacific Ocean, a concept the US dislikes. The PLA Navy press service hasn't confirmed that the new aircraft carrier will be nuclear-powered, but there's already ample circumstantial evidence to the contrary.
A model of China's future nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Judging by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) markings, this may be an official model.
Almost exactly a year ago, evidence emerged proving that China had built a prototype land-based nuclear reactor suitable for use on a large surface warship. The so-called "Dragon Power Project" is being implemented in the mountains near the city of Leshan in Sichuan Province.
The transition to nuclear power for China's fourth aircraft carrier is of great importance.
The nuclear propulsion system will provide the Type 004 with virtually unlimited range. It will also help meet the power requirements of the ship's continually evolving sensors and other systems, which will be discussed below.
A nuclear-powered supercarrier would significantly narrow the technological gap with the US Navy, and China would join France as the third country to operate a nuclear-powered carrier.
Let's be honest: the weight is more political than military. If we're talking about the Pacific Ocean, with its vast expanses, becoming the arena of confrontation, then one Chinese aircraft carrier versus three or four American ones is a mere pittance.
Another question is if everything goes according to Chinese law... And that could become a nightmare for the US and its allies.
Let's look at this:
1. "Liaoning".
The first aircraft carrier was purchased from Ukraine at approximately 70% (in reality, significantly less) completion. In 2005, the ship was delivered to the Dalian shipyard, where it was simultaneously completed and modernized. In 2012, it entered service with the PLA Navy.
Total: 7 years for completion and modernization.
2. "Shandong".
An imprecise copy. Apparently, the Ukrainians sold the technical documentation along with the Varyag, allowing the Chinese to build an almost identical ship, albeit with slightly different dimensions.
Laid down in 2013, launched in 2017, commissioned in 2019.
Total: 6 years to build a ship from scratch.
3. "Fujian".
A significant redesign of Project 002 made the ship longer and wider, increasing its displacement to 85 tons. It features modern equipment, the elimination of the ski-jump, and 105-meter-long electromagnetic catapults.
Laid down in November 2018, launched in 2022, commissioned in November 2025.
Total: 7 years to build from scratch.
Let's take the US Navy aircraft carrier Gerald Ford as an example.
It was laid down in 2009, launched in 2013, and commissioned in 2017.
Total: 8 years.
Let's take into account, of course, that the Ford is a nuclear-powered ship, which is more complex to build, as is obvious. But let's also consider when the first American aircraft carrier was built. The first carrier, the USS Langley, was converted from a collier over the course of two years. CV-1 entered service as the Langley in 1922.
In total, the US has built exactly 70 attack aircraft carriers to date. Yes, Ford's number is 78, but the secret is simple: construction of eight Essex- and Midway-class carriers was halted immediately after the end of World War II.
70 aircraft carriers in 105 years. And that's not even counting escort carriers. So, the Americans have the experience, the technical expertise, the personnel training—they have it all.
And then there's China, which converted its first aircraft carrier from an aircraft-carrying cruiser 13 years ago. And now it's eyeing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
You know, there's a lot to think about here, both at the Pentagon and elsewhere. There's nothing surprising about it at all: China is building nuclear submarines—why not build something else?
A satellite image of the Dalian launch vehicle taken on May 17, 2024.
The images show that the module was designed with "trenches" for catapult rails, suggesting the Type 004 will have two waist-mounted catapults in addition to the two bow-mounted catapults. This matches the catapult arrangement on Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers and adds an additional catapult compared to China's third carrier, the Type 003 Fujian, which has a single waist-mounted catapult.
The Type 004 is expected to be a more advanced design in other respects than the Liaoning and Shandong, which have already proven themselves in service. fleet The PLA Navy, as well as the Fujian. It's no surprise that the days of China dragging everything to Xerox are over, and the country is now mastering engineering advances in all sectors, from ships to aircraft.
China's aircraft carrier Fujian during its commissioning ceremony last week.
So, catapults. Electromagnetic ones at that. Catapults offer numerous advantages, especially when it comes to launching aircraft with a higher gross weight, which means more fuel and ammunition. Furthermore, catapults can generally launch a wider range of aircraft types, meaning they can adapt to the specific aircraft that needs to be launched. There's a significant difference between a larger, slower design like the KJ-600, a carrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraft, and much lighter and smaller ones. drones.
In addition to the aforementioned KJ-600, the Type 004 air wing will likely include the J-35 stealth fighter, as well as improved versions of the J-15 multirole fighter, including an electronic warfare variant. Naturally, helicopters and various other aircraft will be deployed to complete the complement. Drones, such as the GJ-11.
A pair of J-35 prototypes
However, interestingly, China, according to some reports, is simultaneously working on the creation of another new aircraft carrier, this time with a conventional engine.
According to unconfirmed reports, in addition to the Type 004 in Dalian, China is ready to begin work on a conventionally powered aircraft carrier at facilities in Jiangnan Province (home to Shanghai). As the saying goes, this is a godsend, as the Fujian was built there. If these reports are accurate, the final product will likely be an improved version of the Type 003.
Given China's vast shipbuilding capacity, it would be logical to develop two different next-generation aircraft carrier designs. The improved Type 003, which some experts have begun calling the Type 003A, will boast the advantages of a proven design and lower cost, while the more ambitious Type 004 will be more expensive and carry higher risks.
The model below depicts the next conventionally powered aircraft carrier, designated CV-19, but the source is unknown, and this information could be either official or unofficial. It is noteworthy, however, that the island superstructure bears a strong resemblance to that seen at the large-scale land-based aircraft carrier test facility in Wuhan.
A model of China's future conventionally powered aircraft carrier, the CV-19.
A mockup of the Type 004A aircraft carrier in Wuhan, featuring a new island that closely resembles the model above.[/ Center]
There's also a view, voiced by certain sources, that China doesn't necessarily need nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to fulfill many of its missions. While a nuclear-powered carrier would be a huge advantage for sustained operations on the high seas around the world, conventionally powered carriers are perfectly adequate for dealing with unforeseen situations closer to home, such as in the Taiwan Strait and even the disputed South China Sea.
Conventionally powered aircraft carriers have the added advantage of being able to be built faster and in greater numbers on a limited budget, though they are more dependent on a stable supply of fuel and other resources, which can be disrupted during a conflict. For its part, even a nuclear-powered carrier still requires a stable supply of other resources, including fuel for its air wing and escort ships.
But this opinion, so to speak, is an attempt to hint to China that their business is rather coastal, with no ambitions for the middle of the Pacific. To what extent are the Chinese aware of their regional significance? Not at all. China has long been a global power, and any efforts to show the country its place in the world are doomed. As time goes on, the Chinese army and navy will become more ambitious, and some believe we'll yet see some kind of Chinese-led strategic military operation.
At the same time, it's worth noting that China is also working on a series of very large amphibious assault ships, dubbed the Type 076, which will be announced in the near future. Each will be equipped with at least one electromagnetic catapult, which is expected to be used primarily for launching drones. However, the ship's size suggests that the Chinese will certainly not stop at drones.
The ongoing construction of an aircraft carrier, which will most likely be nuclear-powered, as well as the possibility of another type of conventionally powered carrier, demonstrate China's high ambitions as a naval power and the resources it is willing to invest in implementing its maritime policy.
Despite the importance of these developments, it's also worth remembering that the PLA Navy's fleet, consisting of three conventionally powered aircraft carriers, is currently significantly inferior to the US Navy's 11 active nuclear-powered carriers. However, the gap is narrowing, and seemingly at an ever-increasing pace. Considering that half of the US Navy's ships are undergoing permanent repairs, the time when these forces may even be equal is not far off.
And it's worth adding that the electromagnetic catapult isn't the only innovation. China's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier could be equipped with a hypersonic railgun for interception. missiles. And not just one.
Japan's world's first hypersonic railgun fires a 20-megajoule charge to destroy missiles.
Overall, it's all logical: a big ship needs a big gun. That's why plans to create a next-generation aircraft carrier with a nuclear power plant, capable of using high-energy laser weapons, are underway. weapon And electromagnetic railguns—this isn't propaganda, but a very real future. This technology was developed in the US, but abandoned after many years of expensive research. However, the Japanese succeeded in implementing it, so why can't they replicate it in China?
After all, they don't cut budgets like that there, and therefore, for the same amount of money spent in the West, they will do much more work in the East.
On state television CCTV, Liang Fan, a military observer and professor at China's National Defense University, said the future aircraft carrier could be equipped with "more advanced defensive weapons such as laser weapons and electromagnetic rail guns."
Yes, of course, the gap between "can be equipped" and "is equipped" can be a vast amount of time and money. However, for a country that 30 years ago produced single-use Kalashnikov assault rifles and is now building a nuclear aircraft carrier (and they'll build it, those stubborn devils!), this doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
According to the South China Morning Post, the electromagnetic railgun uses magnetic force to fire metal projectiles at ultra-high speeds. By creating a powerful magnetic field, the weapon accelerates the projectile along two rails to hypersonic speeds.
The system promises higher muzzle velocity, greater range, and reduced firing noise, although it requires a significant amount of electricity to operate.
But on an aircraft carrier with a pair of nuclear reactors there are no problems with energy!
Liang's comments echo earlier plans outlined by Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, one of China's leading naval scientists and a key figure in the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) electromagnetic technology program.
In a paper published back in 2023, Ma described a nuclear-powered "supership" designed to integrate electromagnetic railguns, coil guns, and laser weapons into a unified power grid.
"This will completely change the combat structure of navies that has existed for more than a century," Ma wrote, suggesting that such a ship would integrate its propulsion system, power generation system, and weapons into a single advanced electrical architecture.
If this project is realized, the new Chinese aircraft carrier will be a breakthrough compared to the Fujian, and not only to it.
The US Navy once placed great hopes on electromagnetic weapons. They spent over $500 million developing a railgun that could fire metal projectiles at speeds exceeding Mach 6.
But work was halted in 2022 after a Congressional Research Service report confirmed that funding had been cut off.
Analysts cited excessive power requirements, rapid destruction of the gun's guides, and logistical difficulties in deploying the weapon at sea as reasons for the program's suspension.
Unlike the US, China's military appears to be preparing to address these challenges with nuclear propulsion and advanced electrical systems. In the future, this list could include artificial intelligence controlling drones and other such delights, including sixth-generation aircraft.
And yes, such a ship could revolutionize the navy and change the approach to naval warfare.
Chinese state media and military experts claim this project is key to China's long-term goal of challenging US naval power in the Indo-Pacific region. A long-shot, but entirely achievable goal.
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