J‑35 takes flight: New era for Chinese carrier aviation

According to Chinese sources, the 5th generation multirole aircraft Shenyang J-35 has undergone significant testing in recent weeks. The aircraft took off for the first time from the deck of the aircraft carrier CNS Fujian (CV-18), launched into the air using the new electromagnetic catapult (EMALS).

Earlier J-35 tests were also conducted using an aircraft carrier, but it was an older, less modern vessel, Liaoning. Taking off from it is possible thanks to a special ramp that launches the aircraft into the air, accelerating with the power of its own engine.

According to Milmag, testing the Chinese aircraft with the catapult required modifications to the landing gear and adaptation to a new method of takeoff.

The J-35 is a carrier-based variant of the 5th generation J-31 aircraft, developed to serve on Chinese aircraft carriers. In this role, it aims to supplement or replace older J-15 aircraft, which are based on the Russian Su-33. In the event of a potential conflict with the United States, these aircraft will provide aerial cover and serve as the strike force of the Chinese fleet.

A detail catching commentators' attention is the similarity in the shape and size of the weapons bay of the J-35 to that of the J-20 – a land-based aircraft classified as a Chinese air superiority fighter.

The similarity of the weapons bays suggests that the J-35, like the J-20, may carry long-range air-to-air PL-15 missiles, capable of engaging opposing aircraft at distances of up to 190-310 kilometres.

J-35 aircraft are expected to be a cornerstone of the air group of the newest carrier Fujian (24 out of approximately 50 aircraft) and also future ships of this class, with the currently being built Type 004 at the forefront.