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China trains ‘special mission’ pilots for combat readiness on Fujian carrier: CCTV

Electromagnetic catapult system allows for heavier and more advanced aircraft, such as KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft

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The fixed-wing KJ-600 represents a major leap in China’s airborne early warning technology. Photo: Handout
Amber Wangin Beijing
China’s military has accelerated pilot training for the Fujian aircraft carrier, believed to be for operating KJ-600 early warning aircraft, according to state media.
According to a video released by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday, the Naval Aviation University of the People’s Liberation Army has been using land-based aircraft to train pilots for a new type of carrier-based “special mission” aircraft, which has not yet entered into service.

The training was intended to ensure pilot preparation kept up with equipment deployment, with the aim of accelerating combat readiness, said a post on the CCTV military channel’s Weibo account.

02:17

China airs footage of Fujian aircraft carrier featuring advanced catapult launch system

China airs footage of Fujian aircraft carrier featuring advanced catapult launch system
“The 18 aircraft carrier is soon to be commissioned,” the university’s Lin Chunliang told CCTV, referring to the hull number of China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

“We hope to play a key and prominent role in the pilot training, especially in the development of carrier-based aircraft pilots,” Lin said.

The Fujian, the country’s most advanced carrier, finished its sixth sea trial in early January after its launch in June 2022.

Its cutting-edge electromagnetic catapult system allows for the launch of heavier and more advanced aircraft, such as the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft KJ-600, and supports more frequent and rapid sorties.

It is expected the Fujian will also carry catapult capable J-15T fighter jets, the fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter.

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