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China's aircraft carrier air operations have started on "Liaoning" (ex-Varyag)

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Naval Forces News - China
 
 
 
China's aircraft carrier air operations have started on "Liaoning" (ex-Varyag)
 
Shortly after its official delivery and commissioning to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy last month, China's first aircraft carrier has already started training for air operations with helicopters and naval jets.
     
A Chinese Navy Shenyang J-15 carrier based fighter aircraft performs a "touch and go" on Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag) A Chinese Navy Shenyang J-15 carrier based fighter aircraft performs a "touch and go" on Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag)
     
A Chinese Navy Shenyang J-15 carrier based fighter aircraft flies over a Z8 Helicopter A Chinese Navy Shenyang J-15 carrier based fighter aircraft flies over a Z8 Helicopter
     
Pictures have emerged on the Chinese internet showing a Shenyang J-15 fighter performing "touch and go" maneuvers onboard Liaoning, indicating that the Chinese Navy is wasting no time in training its crew for carrier air operations.

The Shenyang J-15 is a carrier-based fighter aircraft in development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute specifically for the Chinese Navy's of a carrier based jet to be operated from its newly commissioned aircraft carrier. While the J-15 is based on Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-33, it is reported to share a large portion of electronics and avionics with the J-11.
     
A Chinese Navy Z-8 Helicopter about to touch down on Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag) A Chinese Navy Z-8 Helicopter about to touch down on Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag)
     
The Changhe Z-8 is a Chinese produced version the French Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon. While the Super Frelon's production has been stopped for a long time (and is not even in service with the French Navy anymore) the Z-8 is still being produced and used by all branches of the Chinese military (Army, Air Force and Navy).
     
Stern view of the Chinese Navy Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag) underway at sea Stern view of the Chinese Navy Liaoning aircraft carrier (ex-Varyag) underway at sea
     
Overseen by top Chinese leaders, the carrier, with a name of "Liaoning" and hull number 16, was officially handed over at a ceremony held in a naval base of northeast China's Dalian Port in September 2012. This is the first reported appearance of the carrier underway at sea after its commissioning in the Chinese Navy.