| | | Again, not exactly.
You have not always used AI to factcheck. And of course, fact-check depends on how you structure things.
A lot of obvious ccp-biased propaganda was posted before claimed fact-checking. And may well be still posted because the claim that no ELAM except for China’s launches stealth fighters is technically correct (for now, because the Ford will do so shortly), the USA has several Nimitz class carriers that launch stealth fighters currently. Not just one vessel. This completely, totally, and utterly overwhelms China’s alleged “advantage.” Any suggestion that China leads in carrier-based stealth launch capabilities is totally wrong.
Per Grok
Yes, Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are capable of launching stealth fighters, specifically the F-35C Lightning II, which is the U.S. Navy’s carrier-variant stealth strike fighter designed explicitly for carrier operations. The first F-35C catapult launch and arrested landing occurred on the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in November 2014 during initial testing off the coast of San Diego. Since then, several Nimitz-class carriers have been upgraded and certified for F-35C operations, including the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), which deployed with F-35Cs in 2022 and conducted combat strikes with them as recently as November 2024 while operating in the Middle East. Other examples include the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which have integrated F-35C squadrons into their air wings for routine deployments. While not all Nimitz-class ships were initially equipped for the F-35C (requiring retrofits for systems like jet blast deflectors and maintenance facilities), as of 2025, multiple vessels in the class are fully operational with these stealth fighters, enhancing their strike capabilities against peer adversaries.
More from Grok on comparison between Fujian and numerous Nimitz-class carriers:
The U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, with 10 ships in service as of November 2025, are nuclear-powered supercarriers that have been the gold standard for global naval power projection since the 1970s, continually upgraded for modern threats. China’s Type 003 Fujian, commissioned on November 5, 2025, is its most advanced carrier, featuring electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and representing a significant step toward blue-water capabilities. While the Fujian narrows technological gaps in areas like launch systems, the Nimitz-class is superior overall due to its proven endurance, larger air wing, operational experience, and integration within a mature carrier strike group ecosystem. Experts estimate the Fujian’s capability at about 60-70% of a Nimitz-class vessel, making the Nimitz superior for high-intensity, global operations. Below is a detailed comparison.
Size and Displacement
• Nimitz-class: Displaces 97,000-102,000 tons fully loaded, with a length of 333 meters (1,092 feet) and a flight deck width of 77 meters (252 feet), providing ample space for aircraft, munitions, and fuel storage.
• Fujian: Around 80,000-85,000 tons, 316 meters (1,037 feet) long, and 76 meters (249 feet) wide—larger than China’s prior carriers but smaller than Nimitz.
• Superiority: Nimitz-class edges out due to greater internal volume for sustained missions, though Fujian’s compact design may offer minor agility advantages in regional waters.
Propulsion and Endurance
• Nimitz-class: Nuclear-powered with two A4W reactors, enabling unlimited range (limited only by provisions) and speeds over 30 knots, with reactor cores lasting 20-25 years.
• Fujian: Conventional steam turbines with diesel generators, achieving similar speeds but with a range of 8,000-10,000 nautical miles, requiring frequent refueling.
• Superiority: Nimitz-class is far superior here, supporting global deployments without logistical vulnerabilities, while Fujian is better suited for nearer operations like the South China Sea.
Launch and Recovery Systems
• Nimitz-class: Four steam catapults and hydraulic arresting gear, proven reliable for high sortie rates (up to 120-150 per day) and compatible with stealth aircraft like the F-35C.
• Fujian: Three EMALS catapults and advanced arresting gear, a technological advance allowing heavier launches with less aircraft stress, potentially reaching 40-50 sorties per day once mature.
• Superiority: Fujian’s EMALS is innovative and potentially more efficient long-term, but Nimitz’s systems are battle-tested and support higher operational tempos today.
Aircraft Capacity and Complement
• Nimitz-class: Up to 90+ aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighters, F/A-18 Super Hornets, E-2D Hawkeyes for airborne early warning, and EA-18G Growlers for electronic warfare—offering diverse, fifth-generation capabilities.
• Fujian: 60-70 aircraft, featuring J-15 fighters, emerging J-35 stealth jets, KJ-600 early warning planes, and drones—capable but less diverse and reliant on fourth/fifth-gen mixes still in development.
• Superiority: Nimitz-class has a clear edge with a more lethal, integrated air wing for full-spectrum dominance, though Fujian is closing the stealth gap.
Crew, Experience, and Cost
• Nimitz-class: Crew of 5,000-6,000, with decades of operational expertise; lifecycle costs are high but offset by proven reliability.
• Fujian: Smaller crew of 2,000-2,500, benefiting from automation; cheaper to build (~$5-7 billion vs. Nimitz’s adjusted $4-6 billion original cost).
• Superiority: Nimitz-class’s experience in real-world conflicts (e.g., Middle East operations) outweighs Fujian’s efficiencies, giving the U.S. an operational advantage.
Conclusion
The Nimitz-class is superior to the Fujian in most metrics, particularly endurance, air wing sophistication, and proven combat effectiveness, solidifying U.S. naval dominance. The Fujian is a formidable advancement for China, potentially rivaling older Nimitz ships in regional scenarios, but it doesn’t yet match the class’s global supremacy |
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