Nov. 7 (UPI) -- China officially launched its latest aircraft carrier equipped with an advanced launch system that allows fighter planes to take off with heavier payloads -- technology that until now was exclusive to the U.S. Navy.
Chinese state TV said Friday that a commissioning ceremony for the Fujian this week at the People's Liberation Army naval base on Hainan Island, 400 miles southwest of Hong Kong, was attended by President Xi Jinping.
The requirement for the Electro Magnetic Launch System, which catapults aircraft off the launch deck at a much higher speed than they would be able to achieve under their own power, was personally ordered by Xi.
EMALS, which replaces inefficient and costly steam powered catapults in use since the 1950s, can accelerate a 100,000 pound aircraft to 150 mph in less than three seconds.
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