Latest update:15 February 2026, 19:17 IST

China uses advanced electromagnetic catapults to launch and stop 30-ton aircraft at 170 mph in 0.2 seconds, enhancing sortie efficiency and combat performance.

The biggest advantage of the electromagnetic catapult system is that it can accelerate the aircraft to take-off speed over a relatively short distance. (X)

Bypassing traditional steam catapults, China’s advanced electromagnetic catapults on the recently commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian can stop a 30-ton fighter jet traveling at 170 miles per hour in 0.2 seconds.

In a video broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV), a test of one of the electromagnetic catapults in Fujian showed that the motor achieved high-speed explosive acceleration and instantaneous deceleration to zero speed over the catapult’s relatively short path.

According to surveillance cameras, the large force only caused a small noise compared to what a steam catapult would make.

Bao Yu, a Fujian crew member, was quoted as saying that the electromagnetic catapult can meet the requirements of accelerating the aircraft over a relatively short distance, and then decelerating the engine over a very short distance.

“The biggest advantage of the electromagnetic catapult system is that it can accelerate the aircraft to take-off speed over a relatively short distance. Its most notable advantage is that it is able to meet the take-off requirements of a wide range of carrier-based aircraft in all kinds of operating conditions. With the catapult system in place, the sortie efficiency of carrier-based aircraft has been greatly improved, enabling the carrier to launch carrier-based aircraft continuously and without interruption.”

The Global Times newspaper quoted Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping as saying, “The Chinese aircraft carrier has achieved a technological leap by choosing electromagnetic catapults instead of steam catapults, which has greatly enhanced the carrier’s combat performance.”

The aircraft carrier Fujian officially entered service on 5 November.

According to the Global Times, shortly after its commissioning, Fujian formed a carrier formation with other warships including Yan’an and Tongliao and completed a naval training mission, during which multiple types of aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter, J-15T heavy fighter, J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, completed multiple take-off and landing training sessions, testing Fujian’s capabilities in Effectively electromagnetic catapult. Launching, arrest and recovery operations on deck.

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