Having begun its second sea trial on May 23, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Fujian (CV-18) concluded its navigation this Tuesday with a return to the Jiangnan shipyard after 20 days.
China’s Navy launched the 80,000-ton aircraft carrier in June 2022 and has since been undergoing outfitting at the shipyard until its first sea trial during the early days of May. In this regard, this second navigation trial had only a 15-day difference from the first, which experts see as a sign of successful trials without the need for additional adjustments as it prepares for the next stage of checks and achieving Initial Operational Capability.
Second Navigation Trials
According to the Global Times, the second trial took place in the South China Sea, specifically in the Yellow Sea, where propulsion systems were tested, including sharp turns and reverse navigation. Some suggest that the choice of this area for the second trial is because the People’s Liberation Army Navy has a “training” area for ships and aircraft carriers that is closed, preventing reconnaissance attempts by the United States.
In the same vein, Global Times also suggests that, like the Liaoning, which conducted tests with embarked aircraft in that area, the Fujian could also be preparing to test the takeoff and landing of its Carrier Air Wing (CAW) in the Yellow Sea. It is worth remembering that the Fujian has a different aircraft launching system from its predecessors, enabling it to operate with J-15B and stealth J-35 fighters, in addition to KJ-600 airborne early warning aircraft.
Moreover, an interviewee mentioned by the Chinese media states that more intensive checks with additional objectives were conducted in this second trial to maintain a rapid pace in the progress of the tests. It is also asserted that both mooring and transiting trials have so far proceeded without any setbacks.
With this second stage completed, it is expected that in the next and third sea trial, the aircraft carrier will undergo tests of electromagnetic compatibility, weapon systems, electromagnetic catapults, and aircraft takeoff and landing.
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