Shenyang J-15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenyang_J-15

The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: ?-15) NATO reporting name: Flanker-X2 , also known
as Flying Shark (Chinese: ??; pinyin: Feisha), is a 4th generation, twin-jet,
all-weather, carrier-based fighter aircraft in development by the Shenyang
Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the Chinese People's Liberation
Army Navy's aircraft carriers. It is developed from J-11B as well as from
studying of a prototype of Su-33. An unfinished Su-33 prototype, the T-10K-3,
was acquired from Ukraine in 2001 and is said to have been studied extensively,
reverse engineered, with development on the J-15 beginning immediately
afterward. While the J-15 appears to be structurally based on the prototype of
Su-33, the indigenous fighter features Chinese technologies as well as avionics
from the J-11B program. In February 2018, discussions about replacing the
aircraft appeared in several Chinese media outlets including Xinhua and China's
main military newspaper, discussing that it belongs to the 4th or 4.5 generation
fighters. Thus, the J-15 is viewed as an interim carrier-based fighter until a
5th generation successor enters service, one that may be based on the J-20 or
J-31.

China has sought to purchase Su-33s from Russia on several occasions—an
unsuccessful offer was made as late as March 2009—but negotiations collapsed in
2006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version of the
Sukhoi Su-27SK designated the Shenyang J-11B, in violation of intellectual
property agreements. However, according to Chinese sources, the reason why China
withdrew from talks is because Russia wanted big money to re-open Su-33
production lines and insisted China must buy at least 50 Su-33s which China is
reluctant and believes it would become outdated in a few years, the same reason
why China decided to modify it instead of continuing to assemble the licensed
Su-27, or J-11, its name in China.

J-15 program was officially started in 2006. The deputy general designer of J-15
is Wang Yongqing (???).

The first J-15 prototype made its maiden flight on 31 August 2009, believed to
be powered by Russian-supplied AL-31 turbofan engines. Video and still images of
the flight were released in July 2010, showing the same basic airframe design as
the Su-33.

On 6 May 2010 the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated
ski-jump.

On 25 November 2012, the aircraft successfully performed its first takeoff and
landing on China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning.

A twin-seat variant made its maiden flight on 4 November 2012.

The initial WS-10 engines proved to be unreliable under oceanic conditions, and
the early J-15s were fitted with Russian-made AL-31F. Several years later, WS-10
entered mass-production and late J-15 variants were gradually replacing their
engines with modified WS-10.


Role
Carrier-based multirole fighter

National origin
China

Manufacturer
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation

First flight
31 August 2009

Introduction
2013

Status
In production, in active service

Primary user
People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

Number built
~20

Unit cost

US$61 million as of 2017


Developed from
Prototype of Sukhoi Su-33
Shenyang J-11B

On 25 November 2012, Chinese media announced that two J-15s had made successful
arrested landings on the aircraft carrier Liaoning. The first pilot to land on
Liaoning was named as Dai Mingmeng (???). Luo Yang, the aircraft's head of
production and designer, died the same day. PLA Daily newspaper indicated the
first five naval pilots including Dai conducted J-15 fighter landing and taking
off. Test and training program officials confirmed the carrier-borne aircraft
and special equipment for the landing flight had gone through strict tests, and
fighter jets can be deployed on the carrier.

In December 2013 Chinese media reported that mass production of J-15s in full
operational condition with combat markings had begun.

In January 2017, the carrier Liaoning, having returned to the South China Sea
after its first deployment into the western Pacific, conducted a series of
take-off and landing drills with its force of embarked J-15 fighters.

In July 2018, Lieutenant General Zhang Honghe of the PLAAF stated that China is
developing a new carrier-based aircraft that will replace the J-15 due to four
crashes and numerous technical problems. One problem with the aircraft is that
it is the heaviest carrier-borne fighter in current operation with an empty
weight of 17,500 kg compared to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's 14,600 kg (though
it is less than the F-14 Tomcat's weight of 19,800 kg). Weight problems are
compounded when operating off Liaoning, as its STOBAR launch and recovery method
further limits payload capacity.

Specifications (estimated)

General characteristics
Crew: 1 or 2
Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
Width: 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) wings folded
Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 62.04 m2 (667.8 sq ft)
Empty weight: 17,500 kg (38,581 lb)
Gross weight: 27,000 kg (59,525 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,753 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Shenyang WS-10 afterburning turbofans, 132 kN (30,000 lbf)
thrust each

Performance
Maximum speed: 2,940 km/h (1,830 mph, 1,590 kn)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.46
Ferry range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi, 1,900 nmi)
Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.83

Armament

1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
Munitions on twelve external hardpoints, including: 8 × PL-12 or R-77, and 4 ×
PL-9 or R-73 air-to-air missiles, PL-15 will be integrated once testing is
complete.
Various bombs and rockets
YJ-62 or Kh-41 anti-ship missiles
YJ-91 supersonic anti-ship missile
Electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods


Avionics

MIL-STD-1553B bi-directional data bus
AESA
glass cockpit
LCD screen
4-redundant 3-axis fly by wire




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