The J-11D is indeed contrary to the J-15D & J-16D not an EW-type but the next letter in the J-11-series.
In fact the J-15D & J-16D should better be called JD-15 and JD-16.
J-15 carrier fighter thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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The J-11D is indeed contrary to the J-15D & J-16D not an EW-type but the next letter in the J-11-series.
In fact the J-15D & J-16D should better be called JD-15 and JD-16.
Ah them naming schemes. So PLAAF skipped J-11C? Last i heard it was J-11BG or something.
We don't even know when was this J11D image taken. Could be taken some time ago. As it stands now, after all these years, J-11D airframe (or a few airframes, if that many exist) seems to be relegated to a technology/concept testbed. It's been almost 7 years now since we saw it the first time.
Even back then the idea of prototyping a wholly new flanker fighter wasn't that hot, as J-20 was just around the corner. But now, on the cusp of 2022, to still invest resources into turning the J11D idea from a prototype into a mature, mass produced product is more wasteful than anything.
I guess it may still happen, of course, if PLAAF decides it has enough J16 and now wants something a bit lighter and with greater range, and it doesn't need so many two seater planes - all of which J11D certainly is compared to J16D - then there might be a few more years of flanker production left, with J11D and J15T getting made. But it won't last long. By the middle of this decade I fully expect Shenyang to start shrinking their flanker production, as their FC31 based planes start increasing production.
Even back then the idea of prototyping a wholly new flanker fighter wasn't that hot, as J-20 was just around the corner. But now, on the cusp of 2022, to still invest resources into turning the J11D idea from a prototype into a mature, mass produced product is more wasteful than anything.
I guess it may still happen, of course, if PLAAF decides it has enough J16 and now wants something a bit lighter and with greater range, and it doesn't need so many two seater planes - all of which J11D certainly is compared to J16D - then there might be a few more years of flanker production left, with J11D and J15T getting made. But it won't last long. By the middle of this decade I fully expect Shenyang to start shrinking their flanker production, as their FC31 based planes start increasing production.
We've already got J-11A, J-11B. J-15 was originally called J-11C. And there comes D.
… Or “Intelligence Victory” in the backseat
