Viral Video Shows China’s Electromagnetic Arresting System Stopping Fighter Jet In 0.2 Seconds

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 19:13 IST

China uses advanced electromagnetic catapults to launch and stop 30-tonne jets at 170 mph in 0.2 seconds, boosting sortie efficiency and combat performance.

By bypassing the traditional steam ones, China’s advanced electromagnetic catapults on the recently commissioned aircraft carrier Fujian can stop a 30-tonne fighter jet traveling at 170 mph in 0.2 seconds.

In a video clip by China Central Television (CCTV), a test of one of the electromagnetic catapults of the Fujian showed that the mover achieved high-speed explosive acceleration and an instantaneous deceleration to zero speed on the relatively short catapult track.

According to the CCTV, the large force caused only a small noise compared with what would be caused by a steam catapult.

Bao Yu, a crew member of the Fujian, was quoted saying that the electromagnetic catapult can meet the demands for aircraft acceleration at a relatively short distance, and then decelerate the mover at an extremely short distance.

“The greatest advantage of the electromagnetic catapult system is that it can accelerate aircraft to takeoff speed over a relatively short distance. Its most prominent feature is that it is capable of meeting the takeoff requirements of a wider variety of carrier-based aircraft under all types of operating conditions. With the catapult system in place, the sortie efficiency of carrier-based aircraft has been greatly improved, enabling the carrier to launch carrier-based aircraft continuously and uninterruptedly," he said.

The Global Times quoted Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping, “The Chinese aircraft carrier has achieved a technological leap by choosing electromagnetic catapults instead of steam catapults, significantly boosting the carrier’s combat performance."

The aircraft carrier Fujian officially entered service on November 5.

According to Global Times, shortly after its commissioning, the Fujian formed a carrier formation with other warships including the Yan’an and Tongliao and completed a maritime training mission, in which multiple types of aircraft, including the J-35 stealth fighter jet, J-15T heavy fighter jet, J-15DT electronic warfare aircraft, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, completed multiple takeoff and landing training sessions, effectively tested the Fujian’s capabilities of electromagnetic catapult launch, arrested recovery and deck operations.

News world Viral Video Shows China’s Electromagnetic Arresting System Stopping Fighter Jet In 0.2 Seconds

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