China's
first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, returned to its homeport Saturday
after a three-month voyage, during which it carried out major and crucial
tests. During the voyage that started on June 11, the carrier witnessed
more than 100 sorties of landing and takeoff by various aircraft, including
the J-15 carrier-borne fighter, the official Liberation Army Daily (Jiefang
ribao) said Sunday. |
J-15 fighters took off and landed on the carrier with maximum load and
various weapons, the report said.
Some observers have questioned if J-15 could take off and land on the
carrier with a full load of weapons.
The tests have resulted in further improvement of the carrier's flight
control processes, according to the official newspaper of the People's
Liberation Army.
The voyage is the longest and farthest that has been taken by the Liaoning
since its maiden voyage, the report said. It is also the first since
it based its homeport in Qingdao in February.
The Liaoning is China's only aircraft carrier in operation. It was refitted
based on an unfinished Russian-made carrier and delivered to the navy
on Sept. 25, 2012.
From Ministry of Defense, People’s Republic of China |
