According to information published by Global Times on March 14, 2023, China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has reportedly made progress in its mooring trials ahead of its expected maiden voyage later this year.
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Third Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian. (Picture source: CCTV)
A report from China Central Television (CCTV) featured an interview with Captain Zhang Chuanqian, head of an undisclosed department on the Fujian, who stated that the crew is comprehensively enhancing training and combat preparedness to fight and win.
The CCTV report also showed footage of the vessel, which had some black smoke trails on the left side of the hull, possibly indicating the operation of the ship's auxiliary power systems. Mooring trials are usually followed by sea trials that test propulsion, communications, navigation systems, among others.
About the aircraft carrier Fujian
The Fujian is China's third aircraft carrier and is classified as Type 003. It has a displacement of 71,875 tons in normal condition and over 80,000 tons when fully loaded.
The carrier has a length of 316 meters overall and a waterline length of 300 meters. Its beam measures 76 meters overall and 39.5 meters at the waterline.
The aircraft carrier Fujian is powered by steam turbines with 8 boilers, 4 shafts, and over 220,000 horsepower (164 MW). Its aviation facilities include a hangar deck.
She is expected to use steam turbines and electromagnetic catapults. This is a significant upgrade from the ski jumps that were used in preceding Chinese carriers.
