On 22/9, Chinese media released a video of sea trials of the Fujian aircraft carrier, demonstrating the operation of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and the arresting gear system on the warship.

The beginning of the video shows the Fujian underway, with at least one J-35 stealth fighter, one J-15T fighter jet, and one KJ-600 early warning aircraft on the deck. The KJ-600 moves to the launch position, extends its wings, and launches from the deck using the EMALS.

A J-35 fighter lands on the Fujian, is moved into the hangar, then returns to the deck, moves into position, and takes off using maximum afterburner. This is the first time China has released footage of the J-35 operating from an aircraft carrier.

"The USS Gerald R. Ford is the first US aircraft carrier equipped with EMALS, but the warship has not yet launched any F-35C fighters. That makes the J-35 the first stealth fighter to take off using EMALS, and the F-35C may not do the same for several years to come," said Thomas Newdick, editor of the US military website War Zone.

A J-15T fighter jet also performed similar maneuvers to the J-35.

The J-35 fighter jet is shown on the deck of the Fujian aircraft carrier in a photo released on 22/9. Photo: PLAN

The video also shows at least three J-15s and two J-35 fighters flying in formation, as well as the Fujian performing sharp turns at sea.

The J-35 is China's next-generation carrier-borne fighter with a stealth design, capable of taking off from aircraft carriers equipped with catapults. The J-35 debuted at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2024. It was developed from the FC-31 prototype, with a shape similar to the American F-35.

The KJ-600 performs airborne early warning and command, supporting aircraft carrier operations, similar to the role of the E-2 Hawkeye in the US Navy. The KJ-600 is assessed to have a similar size and overall design to the E-2.

The KJ-600 is shown landing on the Fujian aircraft carrier in a photo released on 22/9. Photo: PLAN

The J-15T is the catapult-assisted takeoff variant of the J-15 series, equipped with newer electronics than the original aircraft. China developed the J-15 series from the incomplete T-10K-3 prototype of the Su-33 carrier-borne fighter, which it acquired from Ukraine in 2001.

Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, Xinhua, CCTV)