Zephyr Net

- The new J-11B -







A PLAAF J-11B (K/JJ11B?) was landing carrying PL-8 and PL-12 AAMs underneath its wings. This demonstrates Chinese's effort to integrate their own weapon systems into a classic Russian design in order to further boost its combat capability and survivability. Their effort includes a Chinese multifunction PD radar (Type 1478? search >150km, track 6-8, engage 4 simultaneously) and 1553B databus compatible with PL-8, PL-12, and the newest PL-15 AAM, a Chinese made IRST/LR, as well as a redesigned glass cockpit featuring 5 MFDs and a new wide-angle holographic HUD. The aircraft also has a new UV band missile approach warning system (MAWS). Two sensors are installed on both sides of the tail sting to provide coverage for the rear hemisphere. There were evidence suggesting the J-11B is actually equipped with an AESA radar but this has not been confirmed. Its weight has been reduced by 700kg by using composite materials at various places. In addition, RAM coating was speculated to have been applied in certain areas such as engine intakes to reduce RCS but this has not been confirmed. The AL-31F engine has been replaced by the indigenous WS-10. One WS-10 (Taihang 13,200kg class) turbofan was successfully tested on a CFTE J-11WS engine testbed in June 2002. The first J-11B prototype powered by WS-10 flew in 2004. At least 3 prototypes are being tested at CFTE (#523, 524, 525), each has different configurations to test individual subsystems in order to speed up the development. The first batch of J-11B entered the service with PLAAF 1st Division (S/N 10x2x) in late 2007. However the initial batch of J-11Bs powered by the indigenous WS-10 turbofans were quickly grounded due to the poor quality of the engine. Subsequent batches were forced to be powered by Russian AL-31F turbofans until WS-10's reliability problem was solved. Recent images (December 2009) suggested that the engine quality problem has been solved and the aircraft (02 batch?) has started to fly with WS-10s installed. Currently more J-11Bs are entering the service with PLAAF (S/N 31x0x, 40x1x, 41x8x), powered by WS-10 engines. It was rumored that PLAN started to receive land-based J-11Bs (as J-11BH?) in spring 2010, wearing a light gray camouflage (S/N 81x8x).

More details : http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-SinoFlanker.html

- The new J-15 -







One of the J-15 (K/JJ15?) prototypes was landing at SAC in mid-2011 revealing a retracted IFR probe behind the port side of the nose, canard forplanes and the indigenous WS-10H turbofan engine nozzles. J-15 is the first generation of Chinese shipborne fighter aircraft being developed by both 601 Institute and SAC for PLAN's first aircraft carrier. Initially there were rumors claiming that J-15 was a new semi-stealth design based on a similar but more advanced stealth design developed earlier by SAC/601 Institute to compete for the J-20 project (see below). However this design (J-25?) appears to be a follow-on design which is in the early development stage at SAC. In order to save time and cut cost, the aircraft turned out to be based on Russian Su-33 in terms of structural configuration and flight control system as well as domestic J-11B (see above) in terms of radar and weapon systems. Similar to Su-33, J-15 features enlarged folding wings/horizontal tailfins, strengthened landing gears with twin nose wheels, an arresting hook, a pair of small canard foreplanes and a larger wing area to improve its low speed handling and shortened tailcone to avoid tail-strike during high AoA landing. Some key shipborne aircraft technologies such as landing/navigational systems are believed to have been obtained from Russia and Ukraine. One Su-33 prototype (T-10K-3) was acquired from Ukraine around 2001 and has been studied extensively. Some components onboard J-15 are based on those onboard J-11B, such as the anti-ship enhanced PD radar (or AESA?), the glass cockpit as well as the improved WS-10H turbofan engine with a higher TO thrust (12,800kg) and better acceleration in order to achieve full-load taking off from the ski-jump. It can also fire a variety of Chinese designed weapons, including PL-8, PL-12 AAMs and YJ-83K AShM. Overall J-15 is believed to be in the same class of American F/A-18C. The aircraft is expected first to be stationed onboard the Varyag aircraft carrier currently being fitted in Dalian. The first prototype was assembled at SAC in 2008. It made the maiden flight on August 31, 2009, powered by two Russian AL-31F turbofan engines. The first takeoff from a land based simulated ski-jump occurred on May 6, 2010 at CFTE. Currently several prototypes are undergoing various tests at SAC and CFTE. A twin seat trainer version has also been planned (dubbed J-15S?). Recent images (May 2011) showed a J-15 prototype wearing a light navy blue color scheme and is powered by two WS-10H engines. At least 3 prototypes (S/N 551, 553 & 556) are currently unergoing various tests on simulated flight decks on the land, powered by Russian AL-31F turbofans.

- Su-30MKK/MK2 Flanker & J-16 -







A $1.85 billion contract was signed by Chinese and Russian military leaders in late 1999 to purchase 38 Su-30MKK fighter bombers for PLAAF, with the first 10 delivered by KNAAPO on December 20, 2000, and the second 10 delivered on August 21, 2001. The rest of the batch were delivered by the end of 2001. More advanced and powerful than JH-7 operated by PLAN, Su-30MKK will become the first fighter bomber operated by PLAAF capable of carrying a wide range of Russian-made precision-guided air-to-surface weapons including TV guided missiles (Kh-29T & Kh-59ME), anti-radiation missiles (Kh-31P), TV guided bombs (KAB-500KR & KAB-1500KR). In addition it can also carry Sorbtsiya ECM pods at wingtips as well as Sapsan-E EO pod (containing TV camera and laser designator) and APK-9 datalink pod for Kh-59ME underneath its engine air intake. Its maximum weapon load is 8 ton. Its range can be extended up to 5,200km by in-flight refueling, even though China currently does not have a suitable tanker (e.g. Il-78) yet. As the result, it is expected to replace some of the roles of H-6 medium bomber to launch long range strikes against high value targets deep inside the enemy territory. The aircraft features Su-35 style tailfins with square tips and twin nose wheels. It also features a glass cockpit, an NIIP N001VE fire-control radar (range 100km, engage 2 aerial targets simultaneously, plus multiple AG modes) capable of firing R-77E active radar homing AAM. The first test fire of R-77E by Su-30MKK was carried out in June 2002. In addition, the older R-27 semi-active radar homing AAM can also been carried. It was reported that Su-30MKK can be used as a mini-airborne command post to direct up to 16 of the same type via datalink to engage the enemy aircraft. Unlike Su-30MKI acquired by IAF, it lacks canard foreplanes, AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engine (Su-30MKK still uses AL-31F) and N-011M phased-array radar, however its delivery schedule is two and half years faster (in full standard). The acquisition of this F-15E class fighter bomber by PLAAF would inevitably tip the military balance in the North East Asia. Currently the first 19 of Su-30MKKs are stationed at Wuhu Airbase in Southeast China, directly facing Taiwan and the South China Sea, while the rest 19 were assigned to the PLAAF Flight Test & Training Base. In July 2001 China ordered the 2nd batch of 38 Su-30MKKs worth $1.5 billion during Chinese President's visit to Moscow. All of them were delivered to PLAAF 18th Division Stationed at Changsha Airbase. In January 2003 China ordered 24 Su-30MK2s (featuring an upgraded N001VEP radar able to fire Kh-31A AShM to attack two targets simultaneously) for the PLA Naval Aviation. All were reportedly delivered to China by the end of August 2004. Unfortunately one was lost in March 2004 due to pilot error. The aircraft was later replaced. Su-30MKK/MK2 is expected to be superceded by the indigenous J-16 currently under development.



The first photos of what could be the J-16 prototype taxiing at the SAC airfield were disclosed in May 2012. It was first rumored in August 2010 that SAC is developing a 3.5 generation heavy multi-role fighter bomber (J-16?) based on J-11BS. The aircraft can be viewed as an upgraded version of Su-30MKK based on its mission and capability, which is comparable to American F-15E. First flight was rumored to have taken place in late 2011. J-16 has tandem seats with a WSO sitting in the backseat. It features an enhanced fire-control system with additional AG modes. Besides PL-8 and PL-12 AAMs, it could also carry the same precision guided weapons being carried by JH-7A, such as KD-88 ASM and LS-500J LGB. The aircraft could also feature an extended tail sting similar to Russian Su-34, which could house additional electronics. Compared to JH-7A, J-16 is expected to have a more powerful radar (AESA?), a greater weapon load (8t) and a longer range (4,000km).

A PLAAF J-11B (K/JJ11B?) was landing carrying PL-8 and PL-12 AAMs underneath its wings. This demonstrates Chinese effort to integrate their own weapon systems into a classic Russian design in order to further boost its combat capability and survivability. Their effort includes a Chinese multifunction PD radar (Type 1493? search >150km, track 6-8, engage 4 simultaneously) and ARINC429 data bus compatible with PL-8, PL-12, and the newest PL-15 AAM, a Chinese made IRST/LR, as well as a redesigned glass cockpit featuring 5 MFDs and a new wide-angle holographic HUD. The aircraft also has a new UV band missile approach warning system (MAWS). Two sensors are installed on both sides of the tail sting to provide coverage for the rear hemisphere. There were rumors suggesting the J-11B is actually equipped with an AESA radar but this has not been confirmed. Its weight has been reduced by 700kg by using composite materials at various places. The AL-31F engine has been replaced by the indigenous WS-10A. One WS-10A (Taihang 13,200kg class) turbofan was successfully tested on a CFTE J-11WS engine testbed in June 2002. The first J-11B prototype powered by WS-10A flew in 2004. At least 3 prototypes are being tested at CFTE (#523-525), each has different configurations to test individual subsystems in order to speed up the development. The first batch of J-11B entered the service with PLAAF 1st Division (S/N 10x2x) in late 2007. However the initial batch of J-11Bs powered by the indigenous WS-10A turbofans were quickly grounded due to the poor quality of the engine. Subsequent batches were forced to be powered by Russian AL-31F turbofans until WS-10A's reliability problem was solved. Recent images (December 2009) suggested that the engine quality problem has been solved and the aircraft (02 batch?) has started to fly with WS-10As installed. Currently more J-11Bs are entering the service with PLAAF (S/N 31x0x, 40x1x, 40x3x, 60x5x, 70x0x, 72x2x), powered by WS-10A engines. In spring 2010 PLAN started to receive land-based J-11Bs (as J-11BH?), wearing a light gray camouflage (S/N 81x8x).














The J-15 (K/JJ15?) #553 prototype was taking off with full A/B from the ski ramp of aircraft carrier Liaoning on Novmeber 23, 2012. J-15 is the first generation of Chinese carrierborne fighter aircraft being developed by both 601 Institute and SAC for PLAN's first generation of aircraft carriers including Liaoning. Initially there were rumors claiming that J-15 was a new semi-stealth design based on a similar but more advanced stealth design developed earlier by SAC/601 Institute to compete for the J-20 project. In order to save time and cut cost, the aircraft turned out to be based on Russian Su-33 in terms of structural configuration and flight control system as well as domestic J-11B (see above) in terms of radar and weapon systems. Similar to Su-33, J-15 features enlarged folding wings/horizontal tailfins, strengthened landing gears with twin nose wheels, an arresting hook, a pair of small canard foreplanes and a larger wing area to improve its low speed handling and shortened tailcone to avoid tail-strike during high AoA landing. Composite materials are used in certain areas such as vertical tailfins to reduce weight. Some key shipborne aircraft technologies such as landing/navigational systems are believed to have been obtained from Russia and Ukraine. One Su-33 prototype (T-10K-3) was acquired from Ukraine around 2001 and has been studied extensively. Some components onboard J-15 are based on those onboard J-11B, such as the glass cockpit, MAWS sensors on the tail sting as well as the improved WS-10H turbofan engine with a higher TO thrust (12,800kg) and better acceleration in order to achieve full-load taking off from the ski-jump. However its fire-control radar is thought to be phased array (PESA?). It can also fire a variety of Chinese designed precision weapons, including PL-8, PL-12 AAMs, KD-88 ASM, YJ-83K AShM and YJ-91 ARM. Overall J-15 is believed to be in the same class of American F/A-18C and thus more versatile than Su-33. The aircraft is expected to be stationed onboard the aircraft carrier Liaoning just entering the service with PLAN. The first prototype was assembled at SAC in 2008. It made the maiden flight on August 31, 2009, powered by two Russian AL-31F turbofan engines. The first takeoff from a land based simulated ski-jump occurred on May 6, 2010 at CFTE. Additional J-15 prototypes (#554 & 557?) were seen wearing a light navy blue color scheme and powered by two WS-10H engines. At least 7 prototypes (S/N 551-557) have been undergoing various tests on the simulated flight decks on land, mostly powered by Russian AL-31F turbofans. It started to practice touch-and-go landings on the deck of Liaoning during her recent sea trials since summer 2012. J-15 is expected to see limited production and deployment since its technology is no longer state of the art. The next generation carrier-based stealth fighter design was rumored to be under development at 611 Institute (based on J-20?) but this has not been confirmed. A twin-seat trainer version (dubbed J-15S?) has been under development too. Its prototype first took off from SAC airfield on November 3, 2012. Similar to J-16 for PLAAF, J-15S could evolve into a dedicated naval multi-role attack aircraft in the same class of American F/A-18F and F/A-18G. It was reported that on November 23, 2012 J-15 prototypes #552 and 553 landed and took off officially for the first time on Liaoning, marking a concrete step for both J-15 and the aircraft carrier Liaoning to achieve full operational status. Currently J-15 is thought to be in small batch production.