Shenyang J-15

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J-15
RoleCarrier-based Multirole fighter
National originPeople's Republic of China
ManufacturerShenyang Aircraft Corporation
DesignerSun Cong
First flightAugust 31, 2009[1]
Introduction2012
StatusIn production, in active service
Primary userPeople's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Number built~ 16
Developed fromShenyang J-11B
The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15), also known as Flying Shark (Chinese:飞鲨, Fēishā), is a carrier-based fighter aircraft in development by theShenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's aircraft carriers. Rumors initially claimed the aircraft was to be a semi-stealth variant, yet later reports indicate the aircraft is based on the Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-33 and is fitted with domestically produced radars, engines, and weapons. An unfinished Su-33 prototype, the T-10K-3,[2] was acquired from Ukraine sometime in 2001 and is said to have been studied extensively, with development on the J-15 beginning immediately afterward.[1][2][3][4] While the J-15 appears to be structurally based on the Su-33, the indigenous fighter features Chinese technologies as well as avionics from the J-11B program.[5]

Design and development[edit]

Russian military experts have downplayed any significant competition from the J-15 in the global arms market, with Col. Igor Korotchenko of the Defense Ministry stating in early June 2010, "The Chinese J-15 is unlikely to achieve the same performance characteristics of the Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighter, and I do not rule out the possibility that China could return to negotiations with Russia on the purchase of a substantial batch of Su-33s."[1] China has actively sought to purchase Su-33s from Russia on numerous occasions—an unsuccessful offer was made as late as March 2009[6]—but negotiations collapsed in 2006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version[7][8][9] of the Sukhoi Su-27SK designated the Shenyang J-11B,[10][11][12] in violation of intellectual property agreements.[1]
The first J-15 prototype is believed to have performed its maiden flight on August 31, 2009, powered by Russian-supplied AL-31turbofan engines.[5] Video and still images of the flight were released in July 2010, showing the same basic airframe design as the Su-33.[13] In July 2011, it was reported FWS-10H turbofan engine was chosen for J-15 fighter, which has takeoff thrust increased to 12,800 kg, comparing FWS-10 turbofan's 12,500 kg. Other improvements were also made to make it better suited to carrier-based fighter's requirement.[14] On May 6, 2010, the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump.[5]
The reliance on ski-jump launches and the lack of Chinese carrier based refueling capabilities are believed to greatly reduce the effective range of the J-15.[15]
The J-15 is reported to use different avionics and systems than the Su-33, and uses Chinese-developed technologies, and features various upgrades such as AESA radar, composite and radar absorbent material, MAWS, improved IRST, and new electronics.[16] An article in the China Signpost believes the J-15 "likely exceeds or matches the aerodynamic capabilities of virtually all fighter aircraft currently operated by regional militaries, with the exception of the U.S. F-22 Raptor",[17] alleging that the J-15 likely possesses a 10% superior thrust-to-weight ratio and a 25% lower wing loading than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet[17][better source needed] However, one of the authors of that same article described the J-15 in another as no game changer[18]; Hu Siyuan of the National Defense University PLA China has said that "the current weak point of the J-15 is its Russia-made Al-31 engines which are less powerful than that of the American F-35 fighter".[19]
A twin seat variant made its maiden flight on November 4, 2012. The general designer of J-15 is Mr. Sun Cong (孙聪).[20]
The J-15's chief designer, Sun Cong of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has said that the J-15 could match the F/A-18 in bomb load, combat radius and mobility. However, in a similar statement, more work was required in its electronics and combat systems.[21] He also indicated the lack of mature domestically produced engines as a current weak spot.[22]
Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo stated that the aircraft's air combat capabilities were better than that of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. However, he also stated that its ability to attack land and sea targets were slightly inferior to the F/A-18E/F. It is also stated that its electronic equipment meets the standards of those on a fifth generation fighter.[23]

Operational history[edit]

On 25 November 2012, Chinese media announced that two J-15s had made successful arrested landings on the aircraft carrierLiaoning.[24][25][26] The first pilot to land on the Liaoning was named as Dai Mingmeng (戴明盟).[27] PLA Daily newspaper indicated first five naval pilots including Dai conducted J-15 fighter landing and taking off. Test and training program officials confirmed the carrier-borne aircraft and special equipment for the landing flight had gone through strict tests, and fighter jets can be deployed on the carrier.[28]
In December 2013 Chinese media reported that mass production of J-15s in full operational condition with combat markings had begun.[29]

Specifications[edit]

General characteristics
  • Crew: 1-2
  • Length: 21.9 m (72 ft)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48.25 ft)
  • Height: 5.9 m (19.5 ft)
  • Wing area: 62.04 m2 (667.80 ft2)
  • Empty weight: 17500 kg (38600 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 27000 kg (60000 lb)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 33000 kg (72752 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × WS-10A[30] afterburning turbofans[30]
    • Dry thrust: 89.17 kN (20,050 lbf) each
    • Thrust with afterburner: 135 kN[30] (33,000 lbf[30]) each
  • Wingspan, wings folded: 7.4 m (24.25 ft)
Performance
Armament
  • 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
  • Munitions on twelve external hardpoints, including:

See also[edit]

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References[edit]

Citations
  1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Chapligina, Maria (4 June 2010). "Russia downplays Chinese J-15 fighter capabilities". RIA Novosti. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  2. ^ Jump up to:a b "Chinese Aircraft - J-11 (Su-27 FLANKER)". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  3. Jump up^ Revealing Shenyang J-XX Stealth Fighter of China - What's On Xiamen
  4. Jump up^ 俄方称中国自研先进战机不顺 仍将回头购俄战机_军事_凤凰网
  5. ^ Jump up to:a b c Fulghum, David A. "New Chinese Ship-Based Fighter Progresses". Article. Aviation Week. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  6. Jump up^ Chang, Andrei (March 4, 2009). "China can't buy Sukhoi fighter jets". United Press International. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  7. Jump up^ China imitates Russian Su-27SK fighter - upiasia.com
  8. Jump up^ The Development of China's Air Force Capabilities | RAND
  9. Jump up^ Defence Security Report
  10. Jump up^ Chinese version of Russian jet endangers bilateral relations
  11. Jump up^ Wendell Minnick. "Russia Admits China Illegally Copied Its Fighter". DefenceNews. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  12. Jump up^ SIPRI Yearbook 2009:Armaments, Disarmament, and International Security. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 2011-07-04.
  13. Jump up^ First glimpse of Chinese fighter, or Russian rip-off?
  14. Jump up^ "J15 carrier based fighter, FWS-10 turbofan engine". AirForceWorld.com. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  15. Jump up^ Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson. "China’s J-15 No Game Changer."
  16. Jump up^ http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.ca/p/fighters-ii.html
  17. ^ Jump up to:a b http://www.chinasignpost.com/2011/06/flying-shark%E2%80%9D-gaining-altitude-how-might-new-j-15-strike-fighter-improve-china%E2%80%99s-maritime-air-warfare-ability/
  18. Jump up^ Collins & Erickson, Gabe & Andrew (June 23, 2011). "China’s J-15 No Game Changer". The Diplomat.
  19. Jump up^ Jian, Yang. "J-15 jets on deck as carrier sets off on longest sea trials." Shanghai Daily, 12 July 2012.
  20. Jump up^ "Test Flights of J-15S Flying Shark Tandem Seat Carrier-Borne Fighter ~ Chinese Military Review."
  21. Jump up^ "J-15 fighter able to attack over 1,000 km."
  22. Jump up^ "J-31 may become China's next generation carrier-borne fighter jet."
  23. Jump up^ "J-15 better than U.S. F/A-18 in terms of air action, slightly inferior in terms of attack against sea targets."
  24. Jump up^ "J-15 successfully landed on China's carrier Liaoning". Xinhua English (Beijing). 25 November 2012.
  25. Jump up^ "More photos of the two J-15's landing and taking off on Liaoning". 新华网 (北京). 25 November 2012.
  26. Jump up^ "Jets land on China's 1st aircraft carrier". China Daily. 26 November 2012.
  27. Jump up^ "戴明盟：着舰成功首飞第一人". 钱江晚报 (杭州). 24 November 2012.
  28. Jump up^ "First five Chinese naval pilot conducted J-15 fighter landing and taking off on board Aircraft Carrier Liaoning". beijing. 26 November 2012.
  29. Jump up^ Kang, Charles; Wu, Lilian (3 December 2013). "China begins mass production of fighters for aircraft carrier". focustaiwan.tw. The Central News Agency. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  30. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g http://www.aviatia.net/other/jet-aircraft/china/j-15-flying-shark/
  31. Jump up^ "China's new fighter jet has 3,000 km range"

External links[edit]

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