Introduction:
This topic is about the History, Performance & Discussion of Chinese Flankers.
English is not my native language, and the sources are also quite diverse, so if you have any suggestions please feel free.
Due to confidentiality reasons, I can only provide rough data, such as the names and approximate performance of radar, engines, and weapons.
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese flankers, I recommend reading the book Red Dragon’s Flankers.
Chinese Air-To-Air missiles
As reference, this topic is about the Chinese Air-To-Air missiles,
Chinese Air-To-Air missiles, History, Performance & Discussion
J-11 (应龙, Ying Loong):
Su-27SK/Su-27UBK/J-11 “The Beginning of the 'Shen’khoi”
In 1991, China and Russia signed a contract to export 24 Su-27 series (18 Su-27SK and 6 Su-27UBK) to China. In June 1992, the first batch of Su-27SKs arrived in China. On November 25 of the same year, the remaining 12 Su-27SKs flew directly from the manufacturing plant airport to the Chinese Air Force Base.
In 1995, China and Russia signed a supplementary agreement to provide China with the second batch of 16 Su-27SKs and 6 Su-27UBKs. J-11 should be the name for the first batch of Su-27SK assembled in China.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: N001E
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x R-73, 4-6x R-27
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket
J-11A, J-11A MLU
J-11A is the name for the Su-27SK produced by China itself. At this time, apart from the engine, China was able to produce almost all of its components and made minor improvements to many parts, and at the same time, Chinese people found that the R-27 could not meet their needs, so they began upgrading the J-11A.
The J-11A MLU (J-11A飞机综合改装工程) was China’s first major improvement attempt on Russian flankers. The improved J-11A MLU installed a LCD display in the cockpit and had the ability to use the R-77 (Interestingly, the 558 aviation maintenance plant in Belarus refused to acknowledge their assistance.). From SARH to ARH, it was undoubtedly a significant improvement for the Chinese Air Force at that time.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: N001VE
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x R-73, 4-6x R-27/R-77
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons(J-11A MLU)
J-11B/J-11BH, J-11BS/J-11BSH “Red Dragon”
The J-11B is China’s first attempt to manufacture its own flankers, which is why the J-11A did not produce the expected quantity. J-11B uses domestic 1493 radar, which is compatible with domestic weapons such as PL-8 and PL-12, and uses LCD to replace almost all instruments in the cockpit. Nowadays, Chinese no longer need to face the Soviet clock shop, and the aircraft fuselage is heavily made of composite materials and adopts new control systems.
J-11BS is its dual seater model, while J-11BH/J-11BSH is its Navy model and Navy dual seater model.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F/WS-10B
- Radar: Type 1493
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-8, 4-6x PL-12
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket
J-11BG/J-11BHG
The J-11BG/J-11BHG is an upgrade to the old J-11B/J-11BH, which equip AESA radar and avionics systems similar to the J-16, making it closer in performance to the J-16. Previously, the J-11’s air to air weapons were limited to PL-8 and PL-12, while the J-11BG/J-11BHG could use PL-10 and PL-15. Although it has not been confirmed, the improved J-11BG/J-11BHG should be able to use guided air to ground weapons, which undoubtedly improves its multi-purpose performance.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F/WS-10
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket
J-11D
The J-11D (J-11C seems to be the original code name for the J-15) was originally designed to work in conjunction with the J-16, with the J-11D responsible for air control and the J-16 responsible for attacking enemy ground units. However, due to the J-16 being able to perform these two tasks well, the J-11D was cancelled.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket
J-16 (潜龙, Qian Loong):
J-16 “Ultimate Flanker”
The J-16 is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the flanker series, equipped with radar, avionics, and stealth coatings similar to the J-20. The J-16 can use up to 10 PL-10 or PL-15 AAM for air control operations, or use various air to surface guided weapons such as the KD series and YJ series for long-range destructive strikes against enemy ground and surface units.
In fact, the most satisfying aspect for me is the low visibility coating of the J-16.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-16D “Roaring Dragon”
The J-16D is China’s first full-time electronic warfare aircraft modified from a fighter jet, and its equivalent is undoubtedly the US EA-18 Growler. The J-16D’s cannon and nose IRST system have been removed, electronic warfare pods have been installed on the wing tips, and the interior of the fuselage has been significantly modified to adapt to the positioning of its electronic warfare aircraft.
Performance
- Engine: WS-10
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-4x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-15 (飞鲨, Flying Shark):
J-15/J-15S
The reference for the J-15 is a T-10K-7 from Ukraine and some other prototypes. It can be seen as a cousin of the Su-33, with its avionics modified from the J-11B. Unlike the Su-33, it can use ARH missiles, namely the PL-12. Due to the unfinished development of the WS-10 adapted to the ocean, the J-15 still uses the AL-31F. As a Carrier-based aircraft, it can naturally mount various anti-ship missiles. J-15S is the two seater model of the J-15.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: Type 1493
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-8, 4-6x PL-12
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-15D “Roaring Shark”
The J-15D is a carrier based electronic warfare fighter developed on the basis of the J-15S and combined with J-16D technology. With the development experience of the J-16D, the development of the J-15D has been relatively smooth,
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 2-4x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-15A
J-15A (some people call it J-15B) is a new Carrier-based aircraft upgraded based on J-15, aiming to improve the level of China’s Carrier-based aircraft from Gen 4 to Gen 4.5. Due to the short development time of the J-15, most of its technology directly originated from the J-11B. Today, when the J-11B began to be transformed into the J-11BG, the J-15 appeared somewhat outdated, and thus the J-15A emerged.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
J-15B “Catapult Shark”
The J-15B (some people call it J-15T) can be seen as the ejection model of the J-15A, with its front landing gear strengthened and the landing gear doors changed from single side open to double side open for easy maintenance.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: XXXX AESA
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x PL-10, 4-6x PL-15
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
Import Flankers:
Su-30MKK/Su-30MK2
The Su-30 is a multi-purpose fighter introduced by China from Russia, of which the Su-30MKK is equipped with the Chinese air force. The Su-30MK2 is equipped with the Chinese Naval aviation force.
Performance
- Engine: AL-31F
- Radar: N001VE
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 4-6x R-73, 4-6x R-77
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
Su-35S
On March 25, 2013, China and Russia signed a major arms sales framework agreement. China has purchased 24 Su 35 fighter jets from Russia. This is the first time since the new century that China has purchased major military equipment from Russia.
It is worth mentioning that PLAAF believes that the actual combat capability of the Su-35S is relatively low, and its Irbis-E PESA radar has a certain degree of gap compared to the AESA radar equipped by PLAAF’s three main fighter jets J-10C, J-16, and J-20, and its cockpit modernization is also relatively low. Because of its vector mobility, PLAAF deployed it as a dog fight Interceptor aircraft along the coast.
Performance
- Engine: AL-41F1S
- Radar: Irbis-E
- Air-To-Air Weapons: 0-6x R-73, 4-12x R-77
- Air-To-Surface Weapons: Unguided bomb/rocket, Guided Air-To-Surface weapons
Source:
《中国飞机全书》第二卷
《中国飞机全书》第三卷
《日落共青城》
Red Dragon’s Flankers
more…
