1. Home
2. Catalog 
3. Compare 

Fujian (CV-18) Aircraft Carrier vs USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier

	Fujian (CV-18) Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Select Product
Price
Our Rating	8.8 8.3
Manufacturer	China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Huntington Ingalls Industries
Category	Aircraft Carriers Aircraft Carriers

1. Physical Characteristics

Ship Type	Aircraft Carrier Aircraft Carrier
Class	Fujian-class Nimitz-class
Length	~316 m 333 m
Beam (Width)	~76 m 41 m
Flight Deck Width	~78–80 76 m
Draft	~10–11 m 11.3 m
Displacement (Full Load)	~80,000+ tons 100,000+ tons

2. Propulsion & Performance

Propulsion Type	Conventional Nuclear
Powerplant	Gas turbines + auxiliary systems 2 × A4W nuclear reactors
Shafts	4 shafts 4 shafts
Maximum Speed	30+ knots 30+ knots
Range	8,000–12,000+ nm Unlimited
Endurance	45–70 days 70–90 days at sea

3. Flight Operations

Aircraft Launch System	CATOBAR CATOBAR
Catapult Type	EMALS Steam
Recovery System	Arresting gear Arresting gear
Total Aircraft Capacity	60–80+ 60–75 aircraft
Hangar Capacity	Full-length hangar Full-length hangar
Aircraft Types Supported	J-35, J-15, KJ-600 AEW, helos Fighters, AEW, EW, ASW helos

4. Sensors & Electronics

Primary Radar	AESA multifunction 3D air-surveillance radar
Navigation Radar	Standard naval navigation radar Standard naval navigation radar
Fire Control Radar	CIWS & SAM support Supports Sea Sparrow & CIWS
Electronic Warfare Suite	ECM, ESM, jammers ESM/ECM jammers and countermeasures
Communication Systems	SATCOM, secure data links SATCOM, Link-16

5. Weapons & Defense Systems

CIWS	Type 1130 Phalanx CIWS
Short-Range SAMs	HQ-10 RAM, NATO Sea Sparrow
Missile Launchers	Limited surface-defense Limited surface-defense
Decoy Systems	Chaff & EW decoys Chaff, flares, EW decoys

6. Command & Control

Combat Management System	Integrated CMS Integrated U.S. Navy CMS
Combat Information Center (CIC)	Central command hub Central shipboard operations hub
Air Operations Center	Flight operations management Oversees flight operations
Data Links	SATCOM + secure tactical links Tactical & satellite systems

7. Crew & Capacity

Ship Crew	~2,500 personnel ~3,000
Air Wing Personnel	~1,000+ ~1,500
Total Complement	3,000–4,000+ ~5,000+

8. Construction & Cost

Shipbuilder/Manufacturer	CSSC (China) Newport News Shipbuilding (USA)
Construction Started	2015–2016 (est.) 1968
Commissioned	2024–2025 (expected) 1975
Estimated Cost	~$5–9B (conventional) ~$5B (original era cost)

Disclaimer Note

The information provided on TheDefenseWatch.com is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of our content regarding defense and aerospace products, technologies, and specifications, we cannot guarantee that all information is 100% accurate or up-to-date due to the evolving nature of military technology and classified data.TheDefenseWatch.com does not warrant the reliability, suitability, or availability of the information for any specific purpose. Users are advised to consult official sources, such as manufacturers, government publications, or defense agencies, for precise and verified data before making decisions based on our content.We are not affiliated with any defense manufacturers, governments, or military organizations mentioned. Opinions, reviews, and ratings reflect expert analysis but are subjective and should not be considered endorsements. TheDefenseWatch.com is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of this website’s content.External links are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement. TheDefenseWatch.com reserves the right to update or modify content without prior notice. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy & Cookies Policy.