China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)

[Alpine_Lynx]

This goes back a little bit, but the

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on March 29th shows that the 54th is still operating the MKK.

I had assumed that the retirement of these aircraft by the J-16 was already in progress, but does this mean it will take more time than expected? Or do you think there is a clear intention for the 54th to continue operating the MKK into the future?

 

[siegecrossbow]

This goes back a little bit, but the

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on March 29th shows that the 54th is still operating the MKK.

I had assumed that the retirement of these aircraft by the J-16 was already in progress, but does this mean it will take more time than expected? Or do you think there is a clear intention for the 54th to continue operating the MKK into the future?View attachment 173943View attachment 173944

Why would you retire an aircraft that hasn’t exceeded its airframe lifespan?

 

[Totoro]

How do we know it hasn't? Those planes may be some 25 years old, no? If pilots flew 130 to 180 hours per year, during said time, that likely means airframes themselves flew like 180 to 250 hours. Times 25 years is 4500 to 6200 hours. Perfectly plausible to be within airframe life limit without some serious structural replacements. which may not be a good investment, given su30s limits. Easier to retire them and make newer, more capable planes.

 

[Andy1974]

How do we know it hasn't? Those planes may be some 25 years old, no? If pilots flew 130 to 180 hours per year, during said time, that likely means airframes themselves flew like 180 to 250 hours. Times 25 years is 4500 to 6200 hours. Perfectly plausible to be within airframe life limit without some serious structural replacements. which may not be a good investment, given su30s limits. Easier to retire them and make newer, more capable planes.

Maybe it’s worth keeping them to act as Indian opfor? They could have similar upgrades as India in the future.

 

[Neurosmith]

Curious to see if J-16 production would be resumed in light of the USAF's decision to expand their planned F-15EX fleet from 129 to 268.

 

[4Tran]

Curious to see if J-16 production would be resumed in light of the USAF's decision to expand their planned F-15EX fleet from 129 to 268.

The PLA makes its procurement decisions based on its needs and where the capabilities they want in the future. I doubt that American decisions factor very highly into it very much at all. Perhaps there would be a response if the Americans were getting some new technology, but the F-15EX isn't that. Also, I imagine that most analysts would think that the F-15EX acquirement is aimed at countries other than China to begin with.

 

[antiterror13]

Curious to see if J-16 production would be resumed in light of the USAF's decision to expand their planned F-15EX fleet from 129 to 268.

F-15EX is produced roughly 20 to 25 planes per year, while J-16 is produced roughly 100 planes per year, so roughly 4 to 5x of F-15EX.

There is no sign (yet) that China is slowing down producing J-16

 

[Deino]

F-15EX is produced roughly 20 to 25 planes per year, while J-16 is produced roughly 100 planes per year, so roughly 4 to 5x of F-15EX.

There is no sign (yet) that China is slowing down producing J-16

No it is not! About 40 per year is a reasonable production rate at SAC but not 100 and in fact we have several reports, production of regular J-16s has ended or is slowing down!

Not sure where you got this nonsense from!

 

[siegecrossbow]

First ethnic Tibetan female PLAAF pilot.

【开重型战斗机是什么体验？让这位“四字妹妹”来告诉你-哔哩哔哩】

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[siegecrossbow]

Yankeesama confirms that Sino-Flankers have participated in aerial combat exercises against their RUAF counterparts and went about as well as most PLAAF watchers suspected.

【俄罗斯的年轻飞行干部已经能承认俄罗斯空天军不如人民空军了，但是参加过SVO的老干部心态就很复杂了-哔哩哔哩】

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