But logically it would at least be capable of carrying it if need be right? Sorry again but I've been on a bit of a binge to try to find info on Chinese flankers for War Thunder.
China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Believe that we don't have video or photo confirmation of it.
So we can neither confirm or deny it being possible on the sino flankers.
Imo, probably possible, but the tradeoffs/testing/strategy etc. Has made the PLA not doing it.
A bigger issue is that adding heavy weights to the wingtip messes with the moment of inertia, and since flankers are twin engined (widely spaced no less) heavy fighters roll rate can suffer if missiles are mounted too far away from the centerline. In Golden Helmet exercises the preferred load out is PL-12/15 mounted in the tunnel between the engines and PL-10/8 mounted midwing.
No idea on the Chinese Flankers.
But possible theories, cribbing from the F-16 where hanging the AMRAAM instead of AIM-9 on the wingtip pylon reduced wingtip flutter, to the point that captive (trg rounds) are hung on routine flights that don't call for it.
Not saying this is the problem for Chinese Flankers. Just that sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction.
Conversely, the theory that heavy BVR rounds would be expended by the time a merge (and roll rate) is required - so mount them outside, expend them at BVR and keep the remaining weight as close to centerline as possible as one approaches towards WVR .
DACT does not fire off AAM nor drop AAM dummy rounds - which means it is dead weight which is carried throughout the entire mission profile, hence a preference to carry them inboard.
Where did you see it? Any pictures?
my bad, I think I mistook the second outermost underwing pylon for the outermost underwing pylon. Unfortunately it looks like Chinese flankers have a maximum of 8 BVR missiles and 4 IR missiles.
A naval flanker is the last to do so because of the movable ailerons, but according to some sources J-15T's wingtip pylon can carry PL-15. Let's wait for evidence.
8x BVR weapons and 4x WVR weapons are... entirely appropriate and reasonable for a heavyweight fighter.
Going beyond that (which would utilize bespoke dual racks) only really makes sense if you're expecting to defend against cruise missiles rather than do realistic BFM, considering additional weapons will exert more and more drag onto the aircraft.
Yeah of course, I'm certainly not suggesting that that's somehow inadequate, considering that it is still double of what the J20 and J35A can carry until the arrival of the PL16.
IMO highly unlikely and given what BS is currently being spread by some I won't give much on this claim! The PL-15 is IMO clearly too heavy for the wing-tip pylons and as Blitzo explains, the J-15 already has more than enough other options to carry more than enough PL-15.