Satellite Images Reveal Clues About Nuclear Power: Construction of China's Type 004 Aircraft Carrier Enters Key Stage

The latest satellite images from February 17, 2026, show that the construction of the fourth aircraft carrier of the People's Liberation Army Navy—Type 004 carrier—has entered a critical technological phase. The images clearly reveal that within the hull being assembled at the Dalian Shipyard, there are two shielded reactor compartments and up to four engine compartments, significantly increasing the likelihood that this carrier will utilize a nuclear propulsion system.

Tom Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer, pointed out after analyzing these satellite images that the construction features of the Type 004 carrier exhibit significant similarities to the early construction stages of the U.S. Ford-class nuclear-powered carriers. The Ford-class carriers are equipped with two A1B nuclear reactors, and the layout of the two observed shielded compartments leads Shugart to believe that the likelihood of this carrier using nuclear power is "extremely high." Former Belgian Navy officer Frederik Van Lokeren shares a similar view, specifically noting the presence of a raised rectangular area between the two large square openings in the hull—one of which is likely for the engine compartment, while the other is for the reactor containment vessel.

In addition to the layout features of the reactor compartments, Van Lokeren also noted an important technical detail: the Type 004 carrier may be equipped with turbines designed for higher steam pressure, which is more advanced than the system used by the third carrier, the "Fujian." This technological upgrade not only suggests the presence of a nuclear power system but also indicates that China is achieving a qualitative leap in naval power technology. High steam pressure turbines can provide higher energy conversion efficiency, which is crucial for supporting the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and high-energy radar and weapon systems on large carriers.

From another set of images released on February 7, the construction progress at the Dalian Shipyard is impressive. The gantry crane is lifting the bow module and side hangar wall components, indicating that multiple key structural modules are being advanced simultaneously. This highly organized modular construction method is a direct reflection of the maturity of China's shipbuilding industry in the field of large, complex vessel construction. In contrast, the U.S. Navy's second Ford-class carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, has only recently begun sea trials, two years behind schedule, and is not expected to enter service until 2027.

If the Type 004 carrier is ultimately confirmed to use nuclear power, it will mark China as the third country in the world, after the United States and France, and the first non-Western nation to successfully build a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The strategic significance of this technological breakthrough cannot be underestimated. Conventional powered carriers are constrained by fuel supply needs, with operational radius and sustained combat capability heavily reliant on supply fleets or port support; whereas nuclear-powered carriers can theoretically operate for decades without refueling, significantly extending their sustained deployment time in distant seas and truly possessing global strategic projection capabilities.

The latest report on China's military capabilities submitted by the U.S. Department of Defense to Congress clearly states that Beijing plans to build an additional six aircraft carriers by 2035. Along with the currently active "Liaoning," "Shandong," and the soon-to-be-commissioned "Fujian," as well as the under-construction Type 004, China's aircraft carrier fleet will reach nine vessels. Although this scale still cannot be compared to the U.S. Navy's 11 nuclear-powered carriers, it already constitutes a sufficient deterrent force and combat capability for maintaining strategic interests in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

From a technological development perspective, China's aircraft carrier program demonstrates a clear iterative upgrade logic. The "Liaoning" was modified from the Ukrainian "Varyag," primarily used for training and technology validation; the "Shandong" is the first domestically produced carrier, utilizing a ski-jump takeoff; the "Fujian" has achieved a technological leap with a flat deck and electromagnetic launch system, significantly enhancing the takeoff efficiency of carrier-based aircraft. If the Type 004 is confirmed to be nuclear-powered, it will complete the final piece of the puzzle from conventional to nuclear power, bringing China's aircraft carrier technology to a world-class level.

It is noteworthy that the speed and efficiency demonstrated by the Dalian Shipyard in the construction of the Type 004 carrier reflect the overall improvement in China's shipbuilding industry capabilities. In contrast to the long-standing technical challenges and construction delays faced by the U.S. Ford-class carrier program, China seems to be able to more efficiently translate technological blueprints into actual products. This is due to both the resource concentration capabilities brought by institutional advantages and the results of China's years of sustained investment in key technological areas such as electromagnetic launch, shipborne radar, and integrated power systems.

However, building a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is just the first step of a long journey. The operation and maintenance of the nuclear reactor, the training and integration of the carrier-based aircraft fleet, the coordinated operations of the carrier strike group, and the improvement of the long-range supply system all require a long accumulation of experience and practical testing. The U.S. Navy has taken decades of operation to form the mature carrier strike group combat system it has today. China still needs more time and practice to bridge the gap in these "soft power" aspects.

Nevertheless, the construction progress of the Type 004 carrier is undoubtedly an important milestone in the modernization process of the Chinese Navy. If the current construction pace continues, the carrier is expected to enter service in the early 2030s, greatly enhancing the Chinese Navy's long-range combat capabilities and global presence. In the context of increasingly intense global geopolitical competition, the emergence of this nuclear-powered giant will reshape the maritime power balance in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions and will have far-reaching implications for the regional security landscape for decades to come.