Yes I am thinking that one of the original prototypes have been recycled and upgraded for the AESA. Prototypes tend to be retained for further use as test beds.
I think the picture is one of the original J-15 prototypes upgraded with the AESA but it doesn't change the message that a new batch may be produced with or without the nose pitot.
Okay, why do you think that the J-15 shown in the pictures is one of the original prototypes?
To clarify, I'm talking about the J-15 depicted in #3179
J-15 carrier fighter thread
The J-15 is objectively not a good aircraft, especially if operating from a STOBAR carrier. It was a successful project only to the extent that it gave Liaoning and Shandong something resembling an air wing. Other than that, it is plagued with problems - maximum takeoff weight, reliability...
www.sinodefenceforum.com
What is there in those pictures which makes you believe it could be a prototype J-15 depicted??
One of the J-15s have the pitot tube, but the other doesn't. There is also a difference between the birds with and without the pitot tubes in the pattern of the green coloring, which I presume are areas of composite. It could be prototype vs. production model.
Picture 1 shows a suspected batch 3 J-15
Picture 2 shows FC-31V2
Picture 3 shows J-15D
Picture 4 shows a standard J-15
I.e.: it's not "prototoype vs production model" -- it is a "J-15" vs "J-15D". They're different types of aircraft with quite a lot of differences between them.
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