Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena)

The HJ-12 could also receive data from other systems to target armored vehicles before they enter its range.

The HJ-12 is one part of the wider network of ATGMs that the PLA is employing to provide its Combined Arms Brigades with the ability to destroy armored vehicles and fortifications from short to long ranges.

The HJ-12 eliminates these limitations because of its top-down attack method and a warhead that is able to destroy modern MBTs.

The HJ-12 replaces the older HJ-73C and the HJ-8 ATGMs, which are nearing obsolescence because of their use of wire-guided Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight (SACLOS) and older warheads.

The HJ-12 ATGM significantly increased the anti-armor capabilities that PLA infantry, marine, and paratrooper units have at the tactical level. Furthermore, the ATGM plays a significant role in the wider network that the PLA is developing to destroy MBTs and fortified structures.

However, the GAM-100 is less accurate in deserts and similar environments due to its seeker. After launch, the GAM-100's body features six equally spaced fins.

The missile uses an uncooled thermal imaging seeker that has an all-weather anti-tank capability, can track targets up to 1.55 miles (2.5 kilometers) away, and can penetrate between 2.63 and 3.28 miles (800 to 1,000 millimeters) of RHA.

The GAM-100 was developed by Wuhan GaoDe Infrared Co. Ltd. in the mid-2010s as a cost-effective ATGM due to reduced production and equipment costs.

The missile’s warhead is a tandem shaped charge that is capable of penetrating 3.61 feet (1100 millimeters) of RHA, including reactive armor. The body of the HJ-12 has four fins that are aligned in an X pattern when they pop out after launch.

The ATGM has two variants based on the type of seeker the missile uses, the HJ-12 and the GAM-100. The HJ-12 uses a daylight imaging/infrared dual-mode seeker that can detect targets between 1.24 and 2.49 miles (2 and 4 kilometers).

The missile primarily uses a top-down attack method to destroy third generation Main Battle Tanks (MBT) such as the M1 Abrams and Type 10, but it can also use a direct attack mode to target the tank's sides.

The missile made its first appearance at the 2014 Eurosatory defense expo and was formally adopted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2021 for use with infantry, marine, and paratrooper units.

The HJ-12 is a man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) launcher that was developed by NORINCO’s Xi'an Institute of Modern Control Technology in the early 2000s.

The Wuhan facility enables the institute to conduct tests of the carrier’s island, its radars, and other systems to gather data on their electromagnetic emissions. The tests would also include aircraft and drones to determine how their electromagnetic signatures would affect the carrier.

However, the shipyard can meet the new requirement because workers can add one section on average every three to four days.

China likely ordered the carrier’s accelerated construction to reduce the time that satellites have to gather imagery of the reactor room and to complete the outer structure by the end of 2025 or February 2026.

The project's completion at the carrier facility implies that Wuhan Ship Design and Research Institute will begin testing various aspects of the carrier and its systems, as well as aircraft and drones.

The Type 004 aircraft carrier’s accelerated construction that began in mid-October indicates that China has shortened the timeline for its completion.

A smaller island was built behind the main one and is likely a test building. The X-band radar was placed higher up and is fully integrated into the main mast.

The island was widened and raised by four stories, and the height of the island’s main mast was lowered, with the navigation bridge receiving a Vulture’s Row. The aviation bridge was redesigned with its right side widened and floor-to-ceiling windows installed on its left side.

The Wuhan Ship Design and Research Institute completed the expansion project at the “cement aircraft carrier” facility at Huangjia Lake in late September.

Workers added the carrier’s reactor room on October 21st. The additional sections increased the current length of the vessel to between 547 and 584 feet (175 and 178 meters).

The construction of the bow began after the keel’s completion. Furthermore, the ship’s midship section has been constructed, connecting the aft and the forward sections of the vessel.

The carrier’s construction continued into October, with workers adding several new sections to the vessel’s stern. Construction accelerated significantly by mid-October, with workers adding additional sections to complete the keel.

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company continued construction of the Type 004 aircraft carrier at the Dalian Shipyard. Workers added further modules to the carrier’s keel, which lengthened it to about 492 feet (150 meters) by mid-September.

The Type 076 could conduct its first sea trial within four to six months, depending on the success of the catapult tests.

The catapults would allow the PLAN to utilize Vertical and Short Take Off and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft from the Type 076 and its sister ships.

This capability would enable units not to depend on PLAA or PLAN aerial assets to provide CAS and other types of fire support during operations.

For instance, the catapults would allow the Type 076 to launch UAVs equipped to provide organic Close Air Support (CAS) to PLAA or PLANMC units during beach landings.

The catapults would allow the LHA to operate large UAVs, which enables the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to conduct additional types of aerial missions.