China Flanker Thread II
- Thread starter sumdud
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Sorry, but what are we looking at...???
The J-11 in PLAAF colours looks to be a J-11B (black radar dome), while the unpainted J-11 variant looks like a single seat version of the J-16, or is this a J-11B+ or J-11"C" fully multi-role A2G / A2A with AESA (grey radar dome) and enhanced EW suite?
It's clearly the next iteration of the J-11 platform, and presumably a natural evolution given there are already 400-odd flanker derivatives in the service and some of the oldest J-11's will be fast approaching the end of the airframe life cycles.
Even if the current Chinese force structure size remains stable, such a variant would be a quantum increase in capability for China even if they 'only' replaced the older J-11's on a one for one basis.
It's been an unbelievable couple of years for the PLAAF!
The J-11 in PLAAF colours looks to be a J-11B (black radar dome), while the unpainted J-11 variant looks like a single seat version of the J-16, or is this a J-11B+ or J-11"C" fully multi-role A2G / A2A with AESA (grey radar dome) and enhanced EW suite?
It's clearly the next iteration of the J-11 platform, and presumably a natural evolution given there are already 400-odd flanker derivatives in the service and some of the oldest J-11's will be fast approaching the end of the airframe life cycles.
Even if the current Chinese force structure size remains stable, such a variant would be a quantum increase in capability for China even if they 'only' replaced the older J-11's on a one for one basis.
It's been an unbelievable couple of years for the PLAAF!
Doh... my bad, didn't see the canards!
But my underlying logic probably still holds. If all the latest hardware / software developments have been channelled into the J-15 (and J-16 programs), it makes sense that the latest versions to be produced of the J-11 would / should include these, even if full multi-role A2G integration is not necessary.
The US is pursuing the same logic with the upgrades of the F-15C/D Eagles to act as force multipliers to augment the F-22A's (APG-63 to APG-63 block III or the proposed APG-82).
What do you think?
But my underlying logic probably still holds. If all the latest hardware / software developments have been channelled into the J-15 (and J-16 programs), it makes sense that the latest versions to be produced of the J-11 would / should include these, even if full multi-role A2G integration is not necessary.
The US is pursuing the same logic with the upgrades of the F-15C/D Eagles to act as force multipliers to augment the F-22A's (APG-63 to APG-63 block III or the proposed APG-82).
What do you think?
Jovian
Junior Member
Does anyone has an image of that particular J-15 (or any new J-15) that shows its engine? Just trying to confirm if they are installing Ws-10a on production build J-15 or will they have decided to go with Al-31 (?).
... just interested in what they have decided to use. Since the J-10B appears (?) to have gone with using Al-31 instead of Ws-10a, wondered what decision was made with regard to the J-15.
Personally I think J-15 and J-16 should have may share some avionics, especially radar and fire control system, as both seem intended to be capable of firing a variety of A2G/Ship weapons in addition to standard A2A, and both are said to feature AESAs as well.
I hope PLAAF has commissioned SAC or one of their subcontractors to refit existing J-11Bs with AESA and leverage advancements made on J-15 and J-16, but whether they are doing so, or doing so with their new build J-11Bs, who knows.
Engineer
Major
This should answer your question.
As for the J-10B being photographed with AL-31, it is merely an old prototype. You can tell by the lack of extrusion in front of the canard. As far as I know, there is no known prototype built after 1035.
Now, THAT is a very nice pic. Love the Shark on the tail. That's is one nice looking aircraft.
One day we will see these guys flying off the carrier with ordinance and that will be a big day for the PLAN.
Then, later, we will see a two-seat variant of the J-15 with either a good load of air to surface ordinance, or perhaps some jamming pods for an EW version...another big day for the PLAN.
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