It is a mock up. Even if it is actually meant to represent a modified J-15 for catapult launch obviously it is going to lack details because it is a mock up.
I'm sure that if such a modified J-15 emerges it would be sufficiently strengthened for its purposes. And let's be frank, the real J-15s front landing gear as it is already "looks" pretty solid as it is. It is the internal structural strengthening to resist the horizontal acceleration of catapult launch that is important.
It is best not to read too much into the detail of the picture given it is a mock up. At best we can assume that it may be related to the catapult strengthened J-15.
Yes, it is a mockup. I believe all seasoned "watchers" on this (and other similar) forum(s) would agree or noted the feature of a mockup after a brief look. The important point is that they are testing a new design! When your company (or government) is prepared to give you a budget to design something new, you'll want to iron out as much (or even all bugs) before you put it to the test. At the same time, often you'll need to plan your time well too (a schedule to keep).
They have the luxury of full sized mockup of J-15 to play with (lucky, as well as good decisions made in earlier work; a mock still cost a lot of money after all). Who knows, the next step will probably be to finish the mockup (with maximum weight, etc). Then build a prototype using a J-15 (prototype? Maybe?). As many tests as they can collectively think up. Then flight test. To make sure the prototype passes as many tests as they can concive.
Separately, the team designing the Cat will test (and redesign) and kept this team informed on their progresses. Both team will need to feedback to and receive feedback from each other (they'll want as little surprises as possible). When all is ready, then they'll let a test pilot do a CATOBAR launch on land setup.
When it comes down to it, it will be critical to remember that a living human being will be in it. If you have been given the resources, wouldn't you prefer to keep him safe? Just consider the recent Virgin Galactic SpaceShip2 incident; criticism being that not enough tests was conducted, and that private ventures with limited resources need to make certain decisions (off topic, and we should wait for investigations to ran it's course first).
What I'm excited about, is the fact they have started testing! That could mean their (other team's) kitten is growing up to be a Cat
! To a point that this team has the go ahead to start this development. Had their catapult "concept" failed to reached their goal, what is the reason for starting to design and test this requirement?
Jovian
