PLAN Aircraft Carrier programme...(Closed)

Looking at that A-4 I wonder if the PLAN has considered a smaller aircraft for light attack in their future carrier air wing? Perhaps a carrier borne variant of the L-15.

It would take a little re-engineering but it could be done.

OR..the Frogfoot perhaps!

bd popeye said:

Looking at that A-4 I wonder if the PLAN has considered a smaller aircraft for light attack in their future carrier air wing? Perhaps a carrier borne variant of the L-15.

It would take a little re-engineering but it could be done.

OR..the Frogfoot perhaps!

Click to expand...

The Chinese take a very reasonable approach. They use a lot of time and make a significant effort. I think we'll definitely see other aircraft carrier suitable types. Including a smaller attack aircraft will be determined. But I do not think that will be the next type of aircraft, which we get to see. A carrier-based AEW aircraft I think is more valuable.

Looking at that A-4 I wonder if the PLAN has considered a smaller aircraft for light attack in their future carrier air wing? Perhaps a carrier borne variant of the L-15.

Click to expand...

Rumors persistent... for a J-31 navalized but right now no sure this fighter will be put in service contrary to J-20.

I want to know one thing that must be happening now.
We all know that J-15 is the 1st shipborne fighter and 1st domestic AC is soon to be built if it is not already being built.
We also know that the next (2nd) domestic AC could be a CATOBAR, or no later than the 3rd domestic AC. So there must be a 2nd type of shipborne fighter to be ready in 5 (for 2nd AC) to 10 (3rd AC) years. That means the 2nd type of fighter must be in early prototyping (real flying object), or close to conception.
If the CATOBAR is going to be the 2nd domestic AC, and I am inclined to this, the prototype of the successor of J-15 should be somewhere already.
This leads me to think that J-31 may be the one, similar in a sense as French Rafale. It is designed with both Navel and Air force in mind. Or like F-18, a navel fighter originally for air force.
The absence of any rumor indicating another fighter design strengthens my thought.
What do you think?

taxiya said:

I want to know one thing that must be happening now.
We all know that J-15 is the 1st shipborne fighter and 1st domestic AC is soon to be built if it is not already being built.
We also know that the next (2nd) domestic AC could be a CATOBAR, or no later than the 3rd domestic AC. So there must be a 2nd type of shipborne fighter to be ready in 5 (for 2nd AC) to 10 (3rd AC) years. That means the 2nd type of fighter must be in early prototyping (real flying object), or close to conception.
If the CATOBAR is going to be the 2nd domestic AC, and I am inclined to this, the prototype of the successor of J-15 should be somewhere already.
This leads me to think that J-31 may be the one, similar in a sense as French Rafale. It is designed with both Navel and Air force in mind. Or like F-18, a navel fighter originally for air force.
The absence of any rumor indicating another fighter design strengthens my thought.
What do you think?

Click to expand...

We have reason to believe that a CATOBAR capable J-15 is in development, which would be compatible with 002. It doesn't necessarily have to be a new CATOBAR fighter.

Bltizo said:

We have reason to believe that a CATOBAR capable J-15 is in development, which would be compatible with 002. It doesn't necessarily have to be a new CATOBAR fighter.

Click to expand...

I know that mockup. It could be an even faster alternative except J-15 is not stealthy. Has Soviet Union intended an CATOBAR Su-33? The only thing that I am not sure about it is that the front landing gear is very long therefor more additional weight to strengthen it. Also the under fuselage is higher up increasing the angle to the front landing gear, this increase stress to the fuselage, another challenge compared to other morden AC fighters like F/15, F18 and Rafale and possible J/31.

I thought it again and answered my question. Actually even J31 is chosen as the one the time is enough. It has been around for two years now. CATOBAR AC will not begin construction in another two years. It need at least 3 years construction and 1 year sea trail. It will be eight years for J31 to develop and test before put on the AC.

The PLAN knows what their needs are. The modified mockup J-15 we saw seemed to have had a strengthened front gear and could easily be set-up for cat launch.

Clearly, the PLAN will test it such a design and modify it until it works for them. I see no reason why a J-15 could not be modified accordingly.

As to what other aircraft the PLAN may use ... who knows?

They have several that could be navalized and then used for training purposes or for light attack.

The US Navy went away from a dedicated light attack aircraft, the last being the A-7 which replaced the A-4.

They also moved away from a heavier, all-weather attack bird in the A-6. The A-12 was going to replace the A-6, but was canceled.

The US Navy ultimately decided to use the Super Hornets as a multi-role aircraft and it has worked out fairly nicely. The F-35C will also be multi-role, capable of either the strike/support role, or the air-defense role.

The Indians will probably end up with the Mig-29K for air defense and strike at sea roles, and then add the naval Tejas LCA for light attack.

The Russians have used the SU-33 for air defense and the SU-25 for attack...but really to date, have not really employed any real attack role off of their carrier. After the next refit, when they go to the Mig-29K, that might change.

The Chinese could easily adopt a plan either like the US plan, or the others. Some of their trainers would make excellent light attack aircraft.

Will they use the J-31? Looks doubtful at this stage...but if they decided to do so, I believe they could alter it for carrier operations.

Intrepid said:

The Chinese take a very reasonable approach. They use a lot of time and make a significant effort. I think we'll definitely see other aircraft carrier suitable types. Including a smaller attack aircraft will be determined. But I do not think that will be the next type of aircraft, which we get to see. A carrier-based AEW aircraft I think is more valuable.

Click to expand...

i was thinking they might use the same platform for both the carrier-based AEW aircraft and cargo/utility plane. save on development costs.

taxiya said:

I want to know one thing that must be happening now.
We all know that J-15 is the 1st shipborne fighter and 1st domestic AC is soon to be built if it is not already being built.
We also know that the next (2nd) domestic AC could be a CATOBAR, or no later than the 3rd domestic AC. So there must be a 2nd type of shipborne fighter to be ready in 5 (for 2nd AC) to 10 (3rd AC) years. That means the 2nd type of fighter must be in early prototyping (real flying object), or close to conception.
If the CATOBAR is going to be the 2nd domestic AC, and I am inclined to this, the prototype of the successor of J-15 should be somewhere already.
This leads me to think that J-31 may be the one, similar in a sense as French Rafale. It is designed with both Navel and Air force in mind. Or like F-18, a navel fighter originally for air force.
The absence of any rumor indicating another fighter design strengthens my thought.
What do you think?

Click to expand...

it looks like j-31 has reached a point if there is no commitment from the military it can't go any further. that's why we don't see any more new prototype planes beyond the first. even SAC can't throw unlimited funds into a bottomless pit.

Which makes me wonder what would be China's 4th gen carrier plane design. Would it be modified from J-20, from J-11/J-15 type plane, or a new design?