Furthermore, regarding the J-11A itself, it’s incredibly complex and confusing. Some Batch 01 and 02 aircraft have sensors installed on the slats, while conversely, some relatively later Batch 03 aircraft lack these sensors.
The PLAAF operates a total of 76 Su-27SK/UBK and 104 J-11A aircraft, all of which have been upgraded with RVV-AE integration capability. However, only a portion of these fleets underwent a second-phase upgrade in the 2010s, receiving MAWS and other sensor enhancements, with the extent of improvements varying across units. Since J-11A production had already ceased in 2007, these subsequent upgrades were implemented on a unit-by-unit basis rather than being tied to production batches.
Thanks comment ) That’s interesting. While it’s true that Chinese sources also mention “selecting units in good condition for refurbishment,” I hadn’t imagined the selection criteria would be this inconsistent.
It’s particularly fascinating that rather than focusing solely on upgrading later-batch J-11A, it appears that comparatively earlier-batch J-11A/Su-27SK are receiving a significant number of MLU upgrades.
The selection process worked more like this: Unit A was re-equipped with J-11Bs/J-10Bs → their original J-11As became available for upgrades → these J-11A MLUs were then assigned to Unit B, which had been operating older aircraft like the J-7/J-8 → the J-7/J-8s were subsequently retired or donated to museums. As a result, units that had been operating J-11As for a long time—even those with relatively new production batches—might not receive the upgrades, while units with older J-11As were more likely to be issued newer aircraft, thereby feeding J-11A airframes into the MLU pipeline.
I see! That process makes sense as the reason why the later batches of J-11A didn’t receive the upgrade.
Btw: I’m not expecting much, but do you happen to know anything about the sensors on the leading edge slats, probably the Type 207C/D ?
Of the four Su-27SK/J-11s that participated in Falcon Strike 2015 (where that RWR name was likely first publicly revealed), the units on the 3 aircraft I could find photos of all appear to have sensors on the slats that closely resemble the L-150. If you know anything about this, could you share it?
No. Due to the rather fragmented nature of the J-11 series upgrades, detailed information is pretty scarce. But I’m guessing it’s probably a new RWR receiver antenna?
It could still be good depending on what BR they decide to place it in, the J-11B always was going to be better than both the SU-30MKK and MK2 (excluding incredibly niche areas). That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t get it, China operates both the MKK and MK2 thus it should be added (the J-11A when introduced was a joke, should’ve been the MKK/MK2).
Both the MKK (more recently) and MK2 have been modernised to carry Chinese munition, so it should be capable of mounting and firing the PL-12 and PL-8B. Decompress ARB a bit and the MKK/MK2 could sit between the J-11A and J-11B BR wise.
I’m not sure if the modernised MKK/MK2s retained the ability to fire the RVV-AEs and R-73Es
It should be equal or slightly better than the SU-27SM when equipped with the PL-12s and PL-8Bs.
