Wait... PLA flankers including J-16 can't use drop tanks? So only way to extend range beyond internal fuel is aerial refueling?
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China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)
- Thread starter Blitzo
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Look at the difference in internal fuel
Flankers: 11,500 kg
F-15E: 5,858 kg
If the F-15E adds conformal fuel tanks, it has a total of 10,100 kg of fuel, which is still less than a Flanker.
I think the earlier Sino-Flankers (namely J-11 and J-15 families) have similar fuel capacities as the Su-27 and Su-30 families at above 9 tons. It is only the J-16 when the capacity reaches above 10 tons, similarly with the Su-35 at above 11 tons.
Still, the point holds. The more fuel that can be carried internally means the less fuel that has to be carried outside, meaning more free racks for missiles and/or sensory/targeting/ECM pods.
A guy who seems to have worked in SAC claimed they developed a huge external tank for J-16's centerline station but PLAAF didn't procure it.
Russian su-34 can use such center line tanker. I found this.
If J-20 which is supposed to have a bigger range than even flankers, but can carry 4 drop tanks, then I think having drop tank ability is also very useful for the flankers. Especially for striking within first island chain from mainland China itself, such as striking deep inside Japan or Philippines.
China maybe thinking defensively in terms of Air power for now, but the more powerful they get, the more they will switch from defense to offensive use of Air Power, at that point they will probably need drop tanks for all its long range fighters.
lcloo
Captain
I don't think operators of Flankers are thinking of sending their aircraft beyond 3,000km away to fight an air to air battle, or air interception. (May be US and NATO have different doctrine but they are mainly on intervention (bombing) missions in mostly third World foreign countries)
In China's case, it is unlikely PLAAF would send J11 and J16 taking off from Mainland China to the skies over Alaska, or Haiwaii or Guam or Darwin. Their main concern is SCS, AR in Taiwan and over Himalaya mountains.
Flankers are already a long range fighter jets, moreover the aerial tanker support is there if needed.
In China's case, it is unlikely PLAAF would send J11 and J16 taking off from Mainland China to the skies over Alaska, or Haiwaii or Guam or Darwin. Their main concern is SCS, AR in Taiwan and over Himalaya mountains.
Flankers are already a long range fighter jets, moreover the aerial tanker support is there if needed.
I hear that as the current commander Chang Dingqiu took office in 2021, the strategy of PLAAF is becoming more offensive, so I won't be surprised if one day a drop tank is seen on a Chinese flanker.
But why when it makes no sense at all? Only since it is fancy??
The Flanker as explained already has a fuel capacity well above all other similar fighters and as such a range more than enough. Everything else makes no sens e and brings other issues not worth the mess.
I don't know if PLAAF is satisfied with flanker's range, but I should point out that an F-15E with CFT and 3 drop tanks can carry more than 15 tons fuel!