China’s Fujian Carrier Launches J-35 Stealth Jet via EMALS in Breakthrough Test

China has reached a critical milestone in its naval aviation ambitions with the successful launch of a stealth fighter from its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. Video footage released in June 2024 confirms that the Type 003 Fujian carrier has conducted electromagnetic catapult launches of what appears to be the J-35 stealth fighter. This marks China’s first public demonstration of a CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) system with a fifth-generation jet—signaling a major technological leap for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

Fujian Carrier Enters Sea Trials with EMALS Operational

The Type 003 Fujian is China’s first domestically built CATOBAR aircraft carrier and the third overall after Liaoning and Shandong. Unlike its predecessors that use ski-jump STOBAR configurations, the Fujian employs an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), similar to that used on the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers.

On June 25th, 2024, Chinese state media and open-source intelligence analysts confirmed that video footage showed the Fujian launching fixed-wing aircraft using EMALS. Notably, one of these launches involved what appears to be the Shenyang FC-31-derived J-35 stealth fighter—a twin-engine fifth-generation design optimized for carrier operations.

This is significant because it demonstrates not only that EMALS is operational aboard the ship but also that China has progressed far enough in its naval fighter development to begin integrated testing at sea. The PLAN had previously conducted land-based testing of both EMALS and J-35 prototypes at facilities like Huangdicun Naval Air Base.

J-35 Stealth Fighter: Carrier-Based Fifth Generation Capability

The jet seen launched from Fujian closely resembles earlier images of the J-35 (also known as J-31 or FC-31), which is believed to be developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation specifically for use aboard CATOBAR carriers like Fujian. It features:

Twin engines with stealthy serrated nozzles
Canted vertical stabilizers
Internal weapons bays
Carrier-specific modifications such as strengthened landing gear and tailhook

The J-35 provides China with a potential analog to U.S. Navy F-35C operations—offering low observability combined with long-range strike capabilities from sea-based platforms. While much remains unknown about its radar cross-section or sensor fusion capabilities compared to Western fifth-gen fighters, its deployment aboard an operational CATOBAR vessel suggests growing confidence within the PLAN.

EMALS: A Technological Leap from Steam Catapults

The incorporation of an electromagnetic launch system represents one of the most significant advances on Fujian compared to previous Chinese carriers. Unlike steam catapults—which are bulky and less precise—EMALS offers better control over launch energy profiles, enabling safer launches for both heavy strike aircraft and lighter UAVs.

This technology requires advanced power generation and control systems; U.S. Ford-class carriers faced years of integration delays due to these complexities. That China appears to have achieved initial operational capability within three years of launching Fujian (June 2022) suggests either accelerated development or limited test scope thus far.

If fully functional under operational conditions—including high-tempo sorties in maritime environments—EMALS will allow PLAN air wings greater flexibility in sortie rates and platform diversity.

Strategic Implications for Indo-Pacific Naval Balance

The successful integration of both EMALS and fifth-gen fighters aboard an indigenous Chinese carrier alters regional naval dynamics significantly:

Power Projection: PLAN can now deploy stealth strike assets further afield without dependency on land-based support.
Carrier Air Wing Modernization: The combination of KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft (analogous to E-2D Hawkeye), UAVs like GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAVs, and J-15/J-35 fighters could form a credible blue-water air wing by late this decade.
Aviation Doctrine Shift: Transitioning from STOBAR to CATOBAR allows more flexible sortie generation rates and heavier payloads per mission cycle.

This development will likely influence regional naval planning—from Japan’s Izumo-class conversions to Australia’s future air-sea integration strategies under AUKUS Pillar II—and may accelerate U.S.-led efforts at countering Chinese anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) networks through distributed maritime operations.

Remaining Unknowns: IOC Timeline and Operational Readiness

Despite this milestone event, several key questions remain unanswered regarding full operational capability:

Status of Arresting Gear: While launches have been confirmed, there is no public confirmation yet of arrested recoveries using advanced arrestor systems at sea.
Sustainment Infrastructure: Carrier-based operations require robust underway replenishment systems, deck crew training pipelines, spare parts logistics—all still maturing within PLAN doctrine.
C4ISR Integration: Effective use of stealth platforms demands secure data links (e.g., Link-like equivalents), sensor fusion across platforms, and network-centric warfare proficiency—areas where China continues investing heavily but lags behind U.S./NATO standards.

If current progress holds pace, analysts estimate initial operating capability (IOC) for combat-ready deployments could occur between late 2025–2027 depending on testing outcomes and doctrinal maturity.

A New Era for Chinese Naval Aviation?

The launch of a stealth jet via electromagnetic catapult from an indigenous Chinese supercarrier marks more than just a technical feat—it reflects Beijing’s strategic intent to field globally deployable naval power backed by modern aerospace capabilities. As sea trials continue into late 2024–2025 with increasing complexity expected—including arrested landings—the world will watch closely how quickly China can translate this hardware into sustained combat readiness across blue-water theaters.