Shenyang J-15
J-15 | |
---|---|
Two J-15s from Liaoning | |
Role | Carrier-based multirole fighter |
National origin | China |
Manufacturer | Shenyang Aircraft Corporation |
First flight | August 2009[1] |
Introduction | 2013 |
Status | In production |
Primary user | People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force |
Number built | 60[2] |
Developed from | Sukhoi Su-33 Shenyang J-11B |
The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15), also known as Flying Shark (Chinese: 飞鲨; pinyin: Fēishā; NATO reporting name: Flanker-X2,[3]) is a Chinese all-weather, twinjet, carrier-based fourth-generation[4] multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and the 601 Institute, specifically for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) to serve on People's Liberation Army Navy's aircraft carriers.
The T-10K-3, an unfinished prototype of the
Development
China has sought to purchase
The J-15 program was officially started in 2006 with the codename Flying Shark.
On May 7, 2010, the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump on land.[9] On November 25, 2012, the aircraft successfully performed its first takeoff and landing on Liaoning,[21] China's first operational aircraft carrier.
The
In 2016, the J-15T prototype with
In 2021, military analysts reported that China has worked on an upgraded variant called J-15B,
In November 2022, a production J-15 powered by the Shenyang WS-10, possibly the WS-10B, appeared in Chinese media.[28] It was the last indigenous Chinese combat aircraft to replace the AL-31;[29] possibly due to navalisation.[30] According to Chinese observers, compared to the AL-31 the WS-10 had superior safety, reliability, and service life, aspects which are magnified by the constraints of carrier aviation.[31]
Design
The airframe of the J-15 is structurally reinforced for carrier landing and launching, with the addition of a tailhook and strengthened landing gears.[18] The aircraft incorporated a higher portion of composite materials than the Sukhoi Su-33 to save weight and improve aerodynamic performance, allowing for a slower landing speed compared to Su-33.[19]
An article in the China SignPost believes the J-15 "likely exceeds or matches the
The J-15's chief designer, Sun Cong of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has said that the J-15 could match the F/A-18 in bomb load, combat radius and mobility. However, in a similar statement, he said more work was required on its electronics and combat systems.[37] Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo stated that the aircraft's air combat capabilities were better than that of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. However, he also stated that its ability to attack land and sea targets was slightly inferior to the F/A-18E/F; it is also stated that its electronic equipment meets the standards of those on a fifth-generation fighter.[38]
J-15 is capable of operating on the aircraft carrier Liaoning and her sister ship Shandong. The carriers have two launch positions. The waist position has a runway length of 195 m, and the two forward positions have a runway length of 105 m. The take-off weight of the J-15 depends on the launch position and carrier speed. For ship speed at 28 knots, J-15's maximum take-off weight is 33 tons (with 9 tons of internal fuel and a 6.5-ton external payload) for the waist position. The maximum weight is 28 tons (9-ton internal fuel and 1.5-ton external payload) for the forward position. However, when the carrier moves at 20 knots, MTOW at the waist position is reduced to 31 tons.[1] With the introduction of aircraft carrier Fujian and J-15B, MTOW will maintain at 33 ton at any launch position and ship speed.
Operational history
On November 25, 2012, Chinese media announced that two J-15s had made successful
In December 2013, Chinese media reported that mass production of J-15s in full operational condition with combat markings had begun.[45]
In January 2017, the carrier Liaoning, having returned to the
In July 2018,
Accidents
- In April 2016, a J-15 crashed into the ocean after experiencing a flight control system failure. The pilot, Cao Xianjian, ejected shortly before impact, below the altitude needed for the parachute to function; he was severely injured upon landing.[49]
- On 27 April 2016, a J-15 crashed during a simulated landing when a flight control system malfunction caused the aircraft to pitch up to 80 degrees. The pilot, Zhang Chao, ejected below the altitude needed for the parachute to function; he died from injuries sustained upon landing.[50]
- In July 2017,[51] a J-15 suffered a left engine fire after ingesting a bird shortly after takeoff. The pilot, Yuan Wei, with the aid of instructions from air traffic controllers, performed an emergency landing and ground crews extinguished the fire.[52]
Variants
- J-15 (NATO reporting name Flanker-X2):[53][3]Single-seat variant.[22]
- J-15S : Two-seat variant, first flown in 2012.[53][22]
- J-15T (Flanker-X2): CATOBAR operation prototypes, first seen in September 2016. Two were built.[23][24]
- J-15D (Flanker-X2): Two-seat
- J-15B: Improved J-15 incorporating CATOBAR launch capability from J-15T, fitted with modern fifth-generation avionics, AESA radar, new airframes, stealth coatings, and compatibility to launch PL-10 and PL-15 missiles. In flight testing. [25][26]
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force - 60 units in service as of 2022.[2]
Specifications (estimated)
Data from Military Factory : Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark) - Development and Operational History, Performance Specifications and Picture Gallery[56][57]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2
- Length: 22.28 m (73 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 15.0 m (49 ft 3 in)
- Width: 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) wings folded
- Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 67.84 m2 (730.2 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 17,500 kg (38,581 lb)
- Gross weight: 27,000 kg (59,525 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 32,500 kg (71,650 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 9,500 kg internal
- Powerplant: 2 × Saturn AL-31[58] afterburning turbofans, 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) with afterburner
- Powerplant: 2 × kN (30,000 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.4
- Ferry range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi, 1,900 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
- Thrust/weight: 0.93 with AL-31 (1.01-1.07 with WS-10B)
Armament
- 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1cannon with 150 rounds
- Munitions on twelve external hardpoints with a capacity of 6,500 kg,[62] including:
- PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile (J-15B)
- PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missile[63]
- PL-10short-range air-to-air missile
- PL-8 short-range air-to-air missile[63]
- YJ-83K anti-ship missile[63]
- KD-88 standoff land attack missile[62]
- YJ-91 anti-radiation missile[63]
- Various bombs and rockets
- UPAZ-1A buddy refueling pod
Avionics
- Type 1493 radar[63]
- MIL-STD-1553Bbi-directional data bus
- Glass cockpit
- LCD screen
- 4-redundant 3-axis fly by wire
See also
- Fourth-generation jet fighter
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
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External links
- J15 Naval Carrier Based Fighter, PLA Navy, J-15 fighter photos and introductions, AirForceWorld.com
- Chinese Military Aviation
- Flying Sharks, a J-15 fighter video.