# Aircraft Carrier
Latest news and articles about Aircraft Carrier
Total: 32 articles found
Beyond the First Island Chain: The Liaoning’s 40-Day Power Projection in the Western Pacific
The Liaoning aircraft carrier group has concluded a 40-day combat-readiness mission in the South China Sea and Western Pacific. This deployment underscores China's increasing capability to project naval power and sustain long-term operations beyond its coastal waters.
Tactical Inversion: How Beijing Turns Japanese Surveillance into Carrier Combat Drills
Chinese military experts are framing Japanese surveillance of PLAN carrier groups as a valuable 'real-combat' training opportunity. These reports also claim that Japan's detection of Chinese fleet movements is becoming increasingly delayed, suggesting a shift in the regional maritime balance of power.
China’s Type 076 Ambitions: The Rise of the 'Aviation Assault Ship' and J-35 Integration
China's Type 076 amphibious assault ship is nearing flight trials, with analysis suggesting it can operate the J-35 stealth fighter thanks to its electromagnetic catapults. While hangar space and deck bottlenecks pose challenges, the vessel positions China to deploy 'mini-carrier' capabilities that could outperform Western equivalents in specific maritime scenarios.
China’s Naval Ambitions Move Further Afield as Liaoning Strike Group Wraps Blue-Water Drills
The Liaoning carrier strike group has completed a major training cycle in the South China Sea and Western Pacific, marking a significant milestone in China's maritime power projection. These exercises emphasize the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s transition toward sophisticated, far-sea combat operations and its ability to operate beyond the first island chain.
China’s Eyes in the Sky: The Design Philosophy Powering the KJ-600 Carrier-Based Radar Plane
The KJ-600, China's new carrier-based AEW&C aircraft, utilizes a backward-folding wing design to accommodate the spatial limitations of aircraft carrier hangars. This design distinguishes it from fighter jets like the J-35 and provides the carrier group with a critical command and control node to extend its radar horizon.
Catapulting to the Top: The Strategic Significance of China’s Electromagnetic Naval Leap
China's CNS Fujian carrier utilizes advanced electromagnetic catapults to surpass traditional steam systems, significantly enhancing its ability to launch heavy aircraft and increase operational sortie rates. This technological leap positions the PLAN as a formidable peer to the US Navy in carrier aviation.
Tragedy at the Shipyard: Fatal Shooting Shadows the USS John F. Kennedy’s Path to Commissioning
A sailor was killed and another detained following a shooting on the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy at Newport News Shipbuilding. The incident occurs as the ship undergoes final preparations for its 2027 delivery, highlighting security and personnel challenges during the vessel's construction phase.
The £3 Billion Headache: Another Breakdown for Britain’s Troubled Supercarrier
Britain’s HMS Prince of Wales has suffered a fresh mechanical failure, forcing the £3 billion aircraft carrier to seek repairs in Norway. This latest setback continues a troubled operational history that complicates the Royal Navy’s strategic ambitions and maritime readiness.
Trial by Fire: The Structural and Systemic Failures Haunting the USS Gerald R. Ford
A 30-hour fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the U.S. Navy's newest carrier class, ranging from structural steel degradation to failures in automated damage control systems. The resulting repair timeline threatens to exacerbate a readiness gap in U.S. global power projection amid a declining domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Trial by Fire: The Gerald R. Ford and the Fragility of American Naval Supremacy
Leaked footage reveals that a March 2026 fire on the USS Gerald R. Ford was significantly more severe than the U.S. Navy reported, highlighting critical failures in the carrier's fire suppression systems and the toll of an 11-month deployment.
From Relic to Rival: China’s Liaoning Silences Critics with J-35 Integration
The Liaoning aircraft carrier's recent deployment with the J-35 stealth fighter marks a strategic milestone for the Chinese Navy, refuting years of Western skepticism. By integrating 5th-generation aviation and advanced escort ships, China is rapidly closing the qualitative gap with US carrier strike groups in the Western Pacific.
China’s Stealth Leap: How the J-35 is Set to Transform Its Aging Carrier Fleet
Recent PLA Navy drills in the West Pacific have confirmed the J-35 stealth fighter's compatibility with China's older ski-jump carriers. This development provides a massive upgrade to the combat power of the Liaoning and Shandong, allowing for flexible, cross-carrier deployment of China's most advanced naval aircraft.