The Wuhan provider mockup beforehand replicated the Fujian, and the brand new configuration would possibly trace on the PLA Navy’s fourth plane provider.
Modifications made to a recognized Chinese language provider mockup in Wuhan, steadily seen in satellite tv for pc photographs and which beforehand replicated the CNS Fujian (CV-18), is likely to be consultant of the PLA Navy’s upcoming fourth flattop, current photographs shared by main Chinese language army researcher Andreas Rupprecht counsel.
With the Fujian now having practically develop into operational with the launch of the KJ-600 AEW&C plane and J-35 and J-15T naval fighters earlier final week, the mockup facility has now been modified with a brand new island construction and a few further renovation work noticed over time in satellite tv for pc and different unofficial photographs.
A bit nearer & clearer pic.twitter.com/ZABwgQFKd5
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 24, 2025
The fast logistical and operational progress working the perfect mixture of every kind AEW&C, Gen. 4.5 and Gen. 5 plane could be credited to this unorthodox strategy of rehearsing their use on a full-sized mock provider check facility. That is alongside testing with mockups of the J-15, J-35, KJ-600 and GJ-11 UCAV on each the Fujian’s mockup and the precise ship itself.
Plane mockups on provider check facility and accomplished provider
The Fujian was launched on Jun. 17, 2022, and started its first spherical of sea trials in Might 2024. Its fifth, seventh and eight check campaigns had been reported in December 2024, March 2025 and Might 2025, respectively. The huge multi-aircraft trials off its EMALS (Electro-Magnetic Launch System) catapult, that will have taken place between Sep. 15 and 21, was a part of the ninth spherical of sea trials.
By way of ACuriousPLAFan/SDF: 😮
Supposedly not a current picture, however nonetheless the provider mock-up and check facility at Wuhan has gained some new plane: Seen now are clearly mock-ups of J-15, J-35, KJ-600 and a GJ-11H on the flight deck.
(Picture through @伏尔戈星图 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/UL6uk81zh4
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 19, 2023
Till the provider’s first sea trials in Might 2024, the check facility at Wuhan replicated the island construction, and hosted mock-ups of the GJ-11, J-15, and KJ-600, a picture from December 2023 confirmed. Mock ups of plane have additionally been seen on the finished provider, whereas nonetheless present process minor outfitting work on the island in November-December 2023 and March 2024.
This is likely to be to cut back the time required by the ship to succeed in the IOC and FOC (Preliminary/Remaining Operational Functionality). Merely put, the provider mockup would act as an precise bodily simulation to agency up the logistical procedures and appropriate motion practices across the airframes by their mock ups.
Some extra photographs of the J-35 mock-up on deck of CV-18 Fujian from November/December 2023
(through @北冥有鱼MK6 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/N7suuf6dtu
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) February 15, 2024
The commissioning deck crews could possibly be working towards transferring the airframes round with tractors and refining ‘chock and chain’ procedures, whereas getting used to transferring round them within the full vary of flight deck operations, earlier than the precise sea trials start.
The jets would in the meantime be working towards take-offs and landings at naval air base amenities, considered one of which has been recognized to be at Huangdicun, close to Xincheng, and which is full with “ski bounce” ramps and catapults for launch. On the identical time, the ship undergoes tweaks and repairs each time it comes again into port after crusing assessments.
Additionally attention-grabbing, a brand new Picture exhibits the flight deck space of the Wuhan “plane provider constructing” beneath renovation for the Sort 004 nuclear-powered plane provider probably. pic.twitter.com/uenjfc6vF5
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 4, 2025
Modifications to the provider mockup
On Jan. 4, 2025, Rupprecht shared a satellite tv for pc picture displaying the deck space of the provider check facility present process “renovation for the Sort 004 nuclear-powered plane provider probably.” One other satellite tv for pc picture he shared on Mar. 27, confirmed the island had been shifted additional again. Two different photographs surfaced on Might 25 and Aug. 8, displaying the island construction on the provider check website.
The larger, full size picture emerged on Sep. 24, after the scaffoldings had been eliminated, confirmed the form of the island, largely just like the one on the Fujian. This configuration can also be just like the usGerald R. Ford, however even that flattop doesn’t have the island that far again, as we’re seeing on this facility. One other mysterious construction is seen behind the island.
One other provider, proven in ideas with a rear-placed island, is the French Navy’s (Marine Nationale) new technology plane provider (Porte-avions de nouvelle génération). This ship can be nuclear-powered and have an EMALs.
By way of by78/SDF: An replace on the carrier-test facility at Wuhan
„An up to date satellite tv for pc picture of the provider mockup from two days in the past. The progress on the island is seen.“ pic.twitter.com/oniN8RzEFR
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) March 27, 2025
Rupprecht replied within the affirmative when The Aviationist requested him if this new check facility could possibly be consultant of the PLA Navy’s fourth provider. “Sure certainly That‘s probably how the fourth provider will appear to be (even when that reward-facing half that appears like a stack remains to be unusual,” he mentioned, referring to the unidentified construction behind the island.
This appears to be the to this point clearest picture we all know displaying the alleged new plane provider‘s distinctive island construction presently beneath building on the Wuhan testsite. pic.twitter.com/trDLCdlGaP
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) August 8, 2025
It isn’t recognized whether or not this construction could possibly be a devoted exhaust, or one other island, in a twin-island configuration. The gap between the 2 buildings is nevertheless too shut for such a design, and desires a separation of a number of tens of meters.
In all probability approach too hasty, however doesn’t this appear to be a brand new fighter mock-up on the 004 (?) mock-up in Wuhan?
And it was additionally seen on the picture taken in November. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/xeZpEsaL8g
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) January 7, 2025
Conclusion
How far the brand new Chinese language provider would conform to this design just isn’t but recognized. There was no rendition from official sources or state media to this point. Nonetheless, we could be assured that China will construct it. It will be inconceivable for it to not have nuclear propulsion, given how the PLAN skipped a steam-powered catapult system and straight adopted an EMALS system.
Lastly formally launched high-resolution photographs displaying the PLANS-18 “Fujian” throughout her first sea trial.
(Pictures through @中国军号 from Weibo) pic.twitter.com/vqMWGhTPVM
— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) Might 8, 2024
Atomic energy would generate extra electrical energy and energy EMALS to launch even heavier plane. In its bid to outmatch the U.S., Beijing is pulling out all stops.
