Crimson Sea Protocol – Combat Flight Operations from CV-18 Fujian

In an era where naval air power defines the boundaries of maritime dominance, China's Type 003 aircraft carrier, the Fujian (CV-18), marks a transformational leap in the People’s Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) ability to project force beyond coastal waters. With its electromagnetic catapult launch system (EMALS), an expanded flight deck, and the integration of fifth-generation aircraft, Fujian is not just a symbol of China’s naval ambition—it is a fully capable floating fortress. The Crimson Sea Protocol, a codename given to a fictional but technically grounded combat operation conducted from Fujian, offers an immersive glimpse into the complex world of air traffic control, electronic warfare, multi-aircraft coordination, and high-stakes flight deck operations under real-world combat conditions. Set in the tense geopolitical waters of the South China Sea, the protocol exemplifies how cutting-edge systems, strategic doctrine, and human precision converge in modern naval warfare.

1. Opening Situation – South Sea High Alert

At 0430 hours local time, aboard the Type 003 aircraft carrier *Fujian (CV-18), the hangar bay buzzed with activity. Moored 280 nautical miles east of Hainan Island, under EMCON Alpha conditions (no electronic emissions), Fujian served as the command node of PLA Navy Carrier Strike Group 18 (CSG-18). Satellite intel had confirmed a coalition fleet deploying long-range drones and stealth bombers into contested airspace near the Spratly Islands. The Combat Direction Center (CDC) onboard classified this as a live threat matrix.

Under red lighting, flight crews moved quickly, manually towing J-15T multirole fighters, J-15D electronic warfare variants, and KJ-600 AEW&C aircraft onto the elevator platforms. Each platform lifted one deck up onto the angled flight deck, now soaked in dawn moisture and lined with three EMALS catapults, ready for action.

2. Day Sortie Launch – Precision Under Pressure

At 0500 hours, Commander Tang Rui, the Air Boss, issued clearance for Cycle Alpha—the first combat sortie of the day. The deck crews in yellow jerseys signaled forward. The first J-15T, armed with PL-15 long-range AAMs and YJ-91 anti-ship missiles, was taxiing toward EMALS Catapult-1.

“Cat One set. Aircraft weight 31,200 kg. Launch profile Bravo. Ready to shoot,” the Catapult Officer (Shooter) announced, fingers poised over the launch interface. The pilot acknowledged by flashing the nosewheel steering light.

With a low hum building into a magnetic roar, the EMALS system released. The J-15T rocketed forward, afterburners igniting mid-runway, launching into the humid sky with 4Gs of acceleration. Seconds later, J-15D, equipped with electronic jamming pods and towed decoys, followed off Cat-2. A KJ-600 AEW aircraft, heavier and bulkier, launched from Cat-3 using a custom EMALS setting for its 26-ton profile.

Inside the CDC, officers monitored the outbound formation via passive optical tracking. The Air Intercept Controller (AIC), nested within the C&C matrix, coordinated encrypted link-16-like digital signals between the KJ-600 and fighters, all while EMCON Alpha remained active. Tactical coordination used burst data transmission from the Beidou satellite constellation and sea-based phased-array radars mounted on Type 055 destroyers escorting the carrier.

3. Anti-Submarine and Utility Flight Ops

Below the main deck, the hangar bay maintenance crew reconfigured the next batch of aircraft for maritime patrol and ASW. At 0600, two Z-18F anti-submarine helicopters were armed with Yu-7 torpedoes and sonobuoys. Their flight plan covered a 150-mile arc where a suspected enemy nuclear submarine (SSN) had pinged passive sonar earlier that night. The Flight Deck Officer signaled the launch crew, and both Z-18Fs took off using rolling take-offs from the starboard forward section, guided by green shirts.

Simultaneously, Z-9C light utility helos performed vertical resupply, transferring spare AESA radar modules and missile rack parts from the Type 901 fast combat support ship, Chagan Hu to Fujian’s aft supply elevator.

4. Night Operation – Strike Deep Into Hostile Territory

At 2020 hours, the deck transitioned for Cycle Delta, a night strike against a missile radar relay site 600 km away on a disputed atoll. Four J-35 stealth fighters, painted in low-observable carbon-black coating, were lifted to the flight deck. Below, technicians checked internal weapons bays, ensuring payloads of LS-6 precision glide bombs and YJ-21 hypersonic missiles were secure.

“Low-noise taxi to Cat-2. Infrared signaling only. EMCON remains Bravo.” The order came from the Mini-Boss, controlling hangar deck coordination.

Flight Deck Lighting shifted to covert green-spectrum LEDs, while deck crew wore NVG-compatible visors. With AI-assisted launch sequencing fed through a shipborne neural control system, J-35s were lined up, engines spooling silently. One after another, they launched using ultra-short EMALS pulse signatures, limiting radar reflection on satellite sweeps.

Above, a GJ-11 (Sharp Sword) UCAV launched autonomously from the angled deck section, its mission: penetrate hostile radar corridors and provide real-time targeting for the manned fighters using encrypted directional bursts. The UCAV carried dual-purpose glide bombs and a passive ELINT pod.

5. Combat Engagement and Recovery

At 2140, high above the sea, enemy AEW aircraft appeared on passive radar. J-15Ds engaged jamming pods, flooding the EW spectrum with digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) decoys. J-15Ts, flying top cover, split into intercept formations, loosing PL-10 and PL-15 air-to-air missiles. The KJ-600 loitered 200 km behind the combat line, relaying positional data using directional antennas.

By 2300 hours, the target radar site was neutralized with dual stealth glide bombs dropped from J-35s, while enemy drones were intercepted or jammed.

Recovery began under combat blackout. LSO (Landing Signal Officers) used FLOLS (Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System) and auto-landing beacons to vector returning aircraft. Arrestor wires were reset for heavier fuel loads, and barrier net systems stood by in case of bolter landings. All returning jets trapped successfully under night visibility, guided by deck crews using luminous paddles and IR strobes.

6. Final Phase: Damage Control & Threat Suppression

At 0005 hours, a fast-approaching radar signature indicated a possible anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) inbound. Fujian’s Type 346B radar locked onto the hypersonic target. In seconds, the Type 055 escort destroyer Lhasa launched HHQ-26 interceptors, successfully neutralizing the threat mid-flight using mid-course infrared correction.

Simultaneously, Z-18Js lifted from the deck, carrying airborne early-warning radars to expand situational coverage, while UCAVs resumed night loitering. The flight deck, though exhausted, continued minimal flight ops under Night Alert-15 status.

7. Debriefing – Combat Air Wing Summary (0400 Hours)

In the dimly lit Mission Briefing Room below deck, Captain Zhang Weiming, the Air Wing Commander, addressed the flight teams with a calm but firm tone. The combat sortie had seen a total of 18 aircraft launched, with 16 successfully recovered aboard the Fujian. Two J-15s were forced to divert and land safely on a nearby Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) due to minor hydraulic issues. The primary mission objective—a hostile radar installation deep within contested territory—was confirmed destroyed with precision munitions. In the aerial engagement, three enemy reconnaissance drones were intercepted and neutralized by a combination of electronic jamming and direct missile fire. Remarkably, despite the high-tempo operations and nighttime conditions, there were no friendly losses, a testament to the coordination between flight crews, deck teams, and combat control.

“We demonstrated today that Fujian is no longer a trial ship. We are a floating fortress, a nerve center of naval air dominance. Our EMALS, our night capability, our stealth birds, our electronic strike force — all worked as one war machine,” the Captain concluded.

The carrier resumed its holding pattern in silent waters, while inside her steel walls, every airman, sailor, and system remained battle-ready — until the next launch.

Conclusion

The Crimson Sea Protocol showcases more than just a simulated combat exercise—it encapsulates a realistic, plausible vision of China's future naval warfare capability. From EMALS-enabled strike cycles to coordinated electronic warfare and night-time stealth operations, the Fujian represents a fully networked combat hub capable of conducting and sustaining complex missions in contested waters. This fictional yet technically detailed account underscores the critical role of air traffic control, deck handling, aircraft diversity, and command coordination aboard a supercarrier in wartime. As China projects its naval power further into blue-water territories, platforms like Fujian will not only shape regional security dynamics but redefine the tempo and tactics of 21st-century carrier warfare. The Crimson Sea Protocol, in essence, is a blueprint of how wars will be fought—not just with weapons, but with systems, signals, silence, and synchronized speed.

Note: This story is entirely fictional and does not reflect any real-life events, military operations, or policies. It is a work of creative imagination, crafted solely for the purpose of entertainment engagement. All details and events depicted in this narrative are based on fictional scenarios and have been inspired by open-source, publicly available media. This content is not intended to represent any actual occurrences and is not meant to cause harm or disruption.