Images shared on social media show, for the first time in operation, a mobile electromagnetic catapult developed by China to launch fixed-wing drones.
The information comes from The War Zone. According to the report, the system, mounted on a series of interconnected trucks, uses technology similar to EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System), employed on aircraft carriers, but adapted for a transportable land-based platform.
The video shows a drone being accelerated along the rail and taking off without the need for a conventional runway. Although the exact location and date of the recording have not been disclosed, the images were reportedly originally shared by the School of Mechanical Engineering at the Beijing Institute of Technology.
The system had first been seen in late 2025, when it was photographed aboard a Chinese cargo ship alongside other modular containerized equipment, fueling speculation that China intends to turn civilian vessels into platforms capable of operating military drones during conflicts.
Experts believe that a mobile electromagnetic catapult could allow the rapid launch of reconnaissance or attack drones from roads, remote areas and adapted ships, increasing operational flexibility and reducing dependence on runways or fixed air bases.
All of them can be deployed rapidly and on a large scale on maritime and land platforms through a modular plug-and-play system.
Development was led by the Beijing Institute of Technology and carried out by the military-industrial group of the innovation base. More than 70 organizations took part, including China State Shipbuilding Corporation, China North Industries Group, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and China Electronics Technology Group. pic.twitter.com/laTNeUKgtL— KAROTASU (@type36512) June 30, 2026
Photo and video: X @type36512. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
