China's Third Aircraft Carrier Will Be A Massive Leap Forward

Popular Mechanics: China's Next Aircraft Carrier Will Be a Massive Leap Forward

Beijing’s third flattop will be unlike its other ships.

China’s third aircraft carrier is under construction and will likely see several technological improvements over the country's first two. The ship, known for now only as 002, has been under construction since 2015. The new carrier will likely be larger than her predecessors and sport an electromagnetic launch system for aircraft, allowing for larger, heavier aircraft to conduct longer distance flights with more weaponry.

China commissioned its first-ever aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, in September 2012. Formerly an unfinished Soviet aircraft carrier, the ship was bought in 1998 by a Chinese businessman from Ukrainian officials under the pretense of converting the ship into a floating casino. Somehow, the ship was transferred to the Chinese Navy, where it was studied and then made into an operational aircraft carrier. A second carrier known as 001A (see photo above) was built as a close copy of the first and launched late last year.

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WNU Editor: China is also building support ships for its aircraft carriers .... Work on main battleship for China’s new-generation aircraft carrier enters home stretch (SCMP)

More News On China's Third Aircraft Carrier

China's New Aircraft Carrier Will Have "Electromagnetic Catapults for Fighter Jets" -- National Interest/Asia Times
China Kicks Off Construction of New Supercarrier -- The Diplomat
China Launches Third Aircraft Carrier Project -- Defense World
China begins building third aircraft carrier -- Economic Times
Military Confirms China's high tech third aircraft carrier construction details -- Next Big Future