Chinese J-15 Catapult-launch Aircraft Ready to be Deployed?

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) appears to be close to fielding a catapult-launch version of the Chinese J-15 carrier borne aircraft that will be deployed on the Fujian aircraft carrier.

Sketches of the catapult-launch version of Chinese J-15 carrier borne aircraft have appeared on social media in recent days suggesting that the carrier, the first in China to be equipped with a catapult launch and arrested landing system, is getting ready for its sea trials.

The 80,000 ton-class Fujian aims to conduct tests and sea trials in 2023.

"As sailors on China's first aircraft carrier that is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices, we aim at realizing the centennial goal of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), as we are comprehensively enhancing our training and combat preparedness, so we are ready at all times to fight and win," Captain Zhang Chuanqian, head of an "undisclosed department" on the Fujian said in a CCTV interview last Monday.

A close-up shot of the Fujian, captioned by the CCTV report as the latest footage of the vessel, showed some trails of black smoke on the left side of the hull, down near the waterline. The smoke trails are possibly an indication of the operation of the ship's auxiliary power systems.

The J-15 carrier borne aircraft will be followed by a stealth aircraft, probably the FC-31 modified to be launched from a catapult on the new aircraft carrier. This new aircraft could receive a J-designation. A carrier- based jet derived from the FC-31 may benefit disproportionately more from having a larger internal fuel load (for greater range) and internal weapons bay size.