you are correct and in fact it is not a full chapter
China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)
- Thread starter Blitzo
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you are correct and in fact it is not a full chapter
Another type in low visibility markings: According to these images some PLAN Naval Aviation Su-30MK2s started to carry low visibility insignias Similar to those applied on the J-15 and the KQ-200.
(Images via @沉默的山羊 from Weibo)
(Images via @沉默的山羊 from Weibo)
I thought the Su-30MK2 were to be retired soon as more J-16 keep coming online?
It’s hardly the least capable fighter in service, even if you exclude J-7 and J-8 which are clearly in greater need for replacement. No point in rushing to retire su30 at this point imo, it still gets the job done and iirc the Chinese still have stockpiles of imported Russian munitions (air-to-ground as well as air-to-air) so I won’t be surprised if mkk and mk2 stay in service for quite some time
Su-30mk2s serve in navy, which probably won't purchase any more land-based fighters including J-16s.
Are there any data/estimates on the radar cross-section of the various Chinese flankers? iirc, the Su-27 -- appropriately -- has a whopping RCS of around 27m2. More modern Russian variants like the Su-35 have reduced this substantially.
There have been articles talking about newer J-16 having radar absorbing coat, no numbers were given to the extent of my knowledge so make of that what you will
No hard data, but there is circumstantial evidence.
1) As @Scchwerter_ stated there is official confirmation that J-16 uses radar absorbing paint in some areas. This is in fact confirmed by Golden Helmet pilot Jiang Jiaji.
2) Taiwanese air defense makes a distinction between J-16/Su-30/J-11 even when they don't scramble fighter aircraft for intercept, implying that the radar signature is different between the three types.
3) There is a leaked document instruction for ground radar operators that participated during the 2017 parade in Zhurihe. According to the said document, J-20 (with lunesburg lens) and J-10C can be difficult to track via radar since the signal return is weak and intermittent, in contrast to flanker types like J-16.
Based on the aforementioned points, we can conclude that
1) J-16 has RCSs reduction measures done.
2) It probably has smaller profile than Su-30/J-11B, but doesn't come close to J-10C or J-20 with luneburg lens.