Exercises Modernization

Deeply Advancing Combat-Realistic Military Training | Sea and Sky Temper the Blade, Spanning Day and Night

深入推进实战化军事训练丨海空淬利剑，横跨昼与夜

MOD China (国防部) 16 August 2026

Summary

Multiple helicopters from an unidentified naval aviation unit conducted a day-to-night maritime flight training exercise in an unspecified sea area, practicing ultra-low-altitude sea-skimming penetration, radar target discrimination against swell clutter, simulated strike and chaff/flare evasion, instrument flight in low visibility, and nighttime platform landings — all within a single continuous training cycle. The exercise documents the unit's deliberate use of summer high-temperature, high-humidity, and low-visibility conditions as training stressors rather than scheduling around them, with ad hoc special-situation injection and same-night after-action review using flight video and parameter data. The framing around 专攻精练 (focused and intensive training) and 'full-time-domain, all-weather' coordinated combat fits the PLA Navy's standing push to close the gap between scripted peacetime flight hours and operationally realistic conditions, though the article withholds unit designation, aircraft type, and geographic location, limiting what can be inferred about specific readiness levels.

Translation

Sea and Sky Temper the Blade, Spanning Day and Night

— A Record of a Naval Unit's Helicopter Maritime Flight Training

The sun blazed overhead as low clouds and fog hung over a certain sea area, with waves of heat rolling across the surface. Multiple helicopters from a naval unit roared to life and flew in formation as a maritime flight training exercise under complex meteorological conditions got underway in the afternoon.

"Unidentified maritime target detected!" The moment the aircraft reached the airspace above the training sea area, a special-situation report came through inside Aircraft No. 1. The pilot continuously adjusted the aircraft's flight attitude to counter the effects of crosswinds, while using the onboard radar to conduct a sweep-search of the sea surface. Clutter generated by swells intertwined across the screen like a tangled web, creating significant interference for target identification. Inside the cockpit, crew members at every station focused intently and coordinated closely, repeatedly comparing echo characteristics until they successfully identified the target signal from amid the swell clutter.

Inside the control tower, air situation data updated in real time as instructions flowed rapidly. The tactical commander quickly completed target parameter entry based on the relayed information, and the aircraft immediately transitioned into an ultra-low-altitude covert penetration profile. The pilot flew the aircraft skimming the sea surface, using swell clutter to mask their own signal while maneuvering flexibly along the edges of the "enemy" defensive perimeter.

"Target confirmed — execute strike!" With the order issued, the aircraft completed a simulated attack. The pilot then pulled the aircraft to a higher altitude and released chaff/flares, successfully evading "enemy" air defense fire.

The unit's leadership introduced that, in response to the characteristics of changeable maritime weather during summer, they scientifically coordinated training by leveraging complex meteorological conditions such as high temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds, and by setting up multiple types of special situations on an ad hoc basis, with the focused aim of testing personnel's instrument flight and special-situation handling capabilities.

As the sun sank in the west, visibility over the sea surface decreased. Pilots used instrument equipment to determine flight attitude and position, making timely adjustments to airspeed and course before successfully completing platform landings. The moment the aircraft came to a stop, maintenance personnel quickly moved into position and conducted a meticulous inspection of critical components. "The quality of ground support directly affects the continuity and safety of flight training," a ground crew mechanic told this reporter. In response to the characteristics of poor visibility and a fast support tempo during nighttime operations, they carefully developed lighting guidance plans and emergency repair contingency plans, clearly delineated responsibilities, and ensured that aircraft remained in a consistently good combat-ready state.

Before long, the next wave of aircraft roared into the sky to conduct training subjects including instrument flight and nighttime platform takeoffs and landings.

The night was ink-black. Training had barely concluded when the after-action review immediately commenced. Participating personnel reviewed flight video footage and analyzed flight parameter data, engaging in in-depth discussion focused on key areas such as tactical employment and information processing, identifying shortcomings and weak points, and clarifying improvement measures. "We will organize focused and intensive training (专攻精练) targeting the problems identified in the after-action review, continuously optimize and refine training methods under complex meteorological conditions, and comprehensively enhance the force's full-time-domain, all-weather situational awareness and coordinated combat capabilities," the unit's leadership said.

Original Chinese

海空淬利剑，横跨昼与夜 ——海军某部组织直升机海上飞行训练见闻烈日当空，某海域云雾低垂、热浪翻涌。海军某部多架直升机引擎轰鸣、编队飞行，一场复杂气象条件下海上飞行训练从下午开始。 “发现不明海上目标！”战机刚抵达训练海域上空，一号战机舱内便传来特情通报。飞行员不断调整战机飞行姿态，消除侧风带来的影响，并借助机载雷达对海面展开拉网式排查。涌浪形成的杂波在屏幕上如乱麻交织，给目标识别带来不小干扰。机舱内，各战位官兵全神贯注、密切配合，反复比对回波特征，很快从涌浪杂波中成功识别出目标信号。塔台内，空情数据实时更新，指令快速流转。战术指挥长根据回传信息迅速完成目标参数装订，战机随即转入超低空隐蔽突防状态。飞行员驾驶战机掠海飞行，利用涌浪杂波遮蔽自身信号，在“敌”防御圈边缘灵活穿插。 “目标确认，实施打击！”随着指令下达，战机完成模拟攻击。随后，飞行员拉升战机高度并释放干扰弹，成功规避“敌”防空火力打击。该部领导介绍，他们针对夏季海上气象多变特点，科学统筹训练，利用高温、高湿、大风等复杂气象条件，临机设置多类特情，着力检验官兵仪表飞行和特情处置能力。夕阳西沉，海面能见度降低。飞行员借助仪表设备判断飞行姿态与位置，及时调整航速航线，顺利完成平台着陆。战机刚停稳，机务官兵迅速就位，对关键部位展开细致排查。“地面保障的质量直接影响飞行训练的连续性与安全性。”一名地勤机械师告诉笔者，针对夜间作业视线差、保障节奏快的特点，他们周密制订灯光引导方案和应急抢修预案，明确责任分工，确保战机始终处于良好待战状态。不多时，新一波次战机呼啸升空，展开仪表飞行、夜间平台起降等科目训练。夜色如墨，训练刚落下帷幕，复盘随即展开。参训官兵回看飞行视频、分析飞参数据，围绕战术运用、信息处理等关键环节深入研讨，梳理短板弱项，明确改进措施。“我们将针对复盘查找出的问题组织专攻精练，持续优化完善复杂气象条件下训练方法，全面提升部队全时域、全天候态势感知与协同作战能力。”该部领导说。