After launching the third aircraft carrier (Type 003) which was named Fujian, the Chinese Navy had a roadmap to build a fourth aircraft carrier (Type 004). Similar to Fujian which carries the EMALS (Advanced Electromagnetic Launch System) catapult aircraft launcher model, the Type 004 will be even stronger, because the Type 004 will no longer adopt conventional propulsion, but will bear the label of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
With the launch of the Fujian aircraft carrier on June 17, 2022, it will still take a long time to reach the level of combat readiness. It is estimated that it will take 5 years to reach the initial combat readiness (IOC) level and 10 years to reach the full combat readiness level. Meanwhile, from the aspect of the aircraft that will be based on the aircraft carrier, it takes some preparation and adjustments to the air arsenal.
Although China is aggressively developing the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jet, which is designed to operate from aircraft carriers. However, it takes a lot of time and money to display the J-35's posture so that it will be worthy to compete with the F-35B/C Lightning II.
Meanwhile, for now and for the next five years, as the Fujian aircraft carrier is being tested, the Chinese Navy seems to prioritize developing a specialist aircraft carrier fighter jet, the Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark, which incidentally is the spearhead of the air arsenal on the Liaoning aircraft carrier. (Type 001) and Shandong (Type 002).
It should be noted, however, that the J-15 has been operating on the carriers Liaoning and Shandong relying on the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) technique, where the aircraft takes off using a ski-jump embedded at the end of the carrier's runway. While different things were applied to the Type 003 and Type 004 aircraft carriers.
The STOBAR technique was replaced by the CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) technique, of which Type 003 and Type 004 adopted EMALS.
Well, related to the use of CATOBAR, the Chinese Navy has developed a new variant on the J-15, which local media refers to as the J-15T. And recently, viral photos showing the alleged J-15T figure. From the analysis of military observers, the J-15T has a modified nose and reinforced landing gear.
Analysis of the photo shows a modified radar cone and a new landing gear door, confirming the notion that it was a catapult-launched variant. A Chinese social media user said the designation 'T' had been chosen because it is the Chinese character for the word 'catapult'. The new nose cone on the J-15T has a slightly angled opening, unlike the J-15B.
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| Shenyang J-15T Fighter Jet |
The slanted dome line can indicate the presence of a phased array radar, which gives pilots a better detection capability. Even the front landing gear door (nose gear) looks split into two parts. Existing J-15Bs that fly with STOBAR have single-pass doors.
There are several plausible reasons for modifying the front landing gear, namely to 'handle' the massive force and shock of the catapult launcher that would propel the aircraft off the main flight deck.
The existence of the first CATOBAR-capable J-15 variant was confirmed in September 2016 when photos emerged showing the aircraft performing a test flight. Analysis carried out at the time indicated that a prototype J-15T, featuring a new nose wheel leg equipped with a catapult towbar and stronger support support, would be available for testing before the end of that year.
By the end of 2016, China had completed construction of a test facility at Huangdicun Air Base featuring two catapult launch systems: one rated as a conventional steam-powered catapult, the other an electromagnetic catapult system.
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