Military Situation Time: What Continuous Catapult Launch of Fixed-Wing Drones by Sichuan Ship Means for the Chinese Navy

During this year's Mid-Autumn Festival gala hosted by the Central Radio and Television Station, thousands of drones formed the silhouette of the Sichuan ship in the night sky, and also depicted the dynamic scene of carrier-based drones being launched from the deck of the Sichuan ship, reflecting people's anticipation for the Sichuan ship. What does the Sichuan ship's ability to continuously launch fixed-wing drones mean for the Chinese Navy?

Military commentator Du Wenlong: The Sichuan ship is the world's first unmanned mothership, and various types of drones will be used extensively in the future. If it can quickly launch and recover fixed-wing drones, it first indicates that the aircraft is not very small and does not take off with rotors, which means that its range, speed, and strike range meet the basic requirements of carrier-based fighter jets. If a large number of fixed-wing drones are used on the deck in the future, their flexible replacement will play a crucial role in enhancing strike and reconnaissance effectiveness.

Recently, many people have focused on the fact that fixed-wing drones must be stealthy. If this type of drone can closely interact with the naval deck, our stealth control and strike capabilities over the ocean will significantly improve and develop. If we can combine fixed-wing stealth drones with the Sichuan ship, this capability is something that only China can possess in the world.