J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

Hendrik_2000

Lieutenant General
Good write up about J 15 from Red samovar
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And this is where the subject becomes particularly interesting; indeed, China did not just make reverse engineering by creating the J-15 based on the T-10K-7. She continued the development of the latter first by making it versatile, then developing training versions, electronic warfare and finally a catapultable version. Where a Su-33 is a device limited to air superiority missions (primarily for doctrinal reasons) and with limited ground attack capabilities; China has been able to evolve the base platform to create a prolific and versatile set of embedded devices that meet its immediate and future needs.

Basic variant with which everything started; the Shenyang J-15 is the version that has the greatest similarity to the Su-33. Designed as an all-weather, all-purpose aircraft, the J-15 creation program was launched in 2006 and follows the detailed study of the T-10K-7 acquired in 2001 by China.

It took only 5 years (2001-2006) for China to study, understand and detail the needs for the creation of its own aircraft; once the program is launched, it will only be 3 years (2006-2009) before the flight of a first local prototype (the 551 Rouge) on August 31, 2009. It is the manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (Institute 601) which will be responsible for the development of the device, this being the most logical: this manufacturer was responsible for assembling kits Su-27SK (known locally as the J-11) and he has developed the local (and more modern) variants of J-11 which will also give rise to the J-16.

This is the J-15 that we will see in more detail below.

The J-15, a little technique
As we will see below, there are several variants of J-15 some of which are still under development. For the technical details, we will rely only on the J-15 (only version currently in active service) and in view of the lacunary side of the technical information available; we will leave Su-33 to get the confirmed technical elements.

However, it is quite obvious that this information is addressed with the usual reservations and that in the absence of official information; we will deliberately leave aside certain aspects relating to this device.

Description and design

A versatile on-board unit developed by the 601 Institute (Shenyang), the J-15 Flying Shark is a near-identical copy (at first sight) of the T-10K-7 and therefore of the Sukhoi Su-33; comparison is not right and if the Su-33 is limited to air superiority missions, the J-15 has much broader skills that can be summarized in three points:

  • Air superiority and fleet coverage
  • Attack of surface ships
  • Attack of ground objectives
All these missions are likely to be performed under all operational conditions; the device is validated for all-weather use. It can be seen directly that the Chinese engineers decided to exploit the full potential of the Su-33 cell by not limiting the aircraft to only fleet protection missions.


It is also true that doctrinally, the "Soviet" aircraft carrier (which will inherit Russia) is conceived as a defensive weapon while the Chinese aircraft carrier seems to be conceived more in an offensive perspective.

Where the device also differs from the Su-33, it is at the level of the structure: Shenyang made use of composite materials on certain zones of the apparatus (in particular at the level of the fins and horizontal stabilizers) which makes it possible to lighten the latter and thus lighten its empty weight.

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J-15 No. 119 at the time of take-off. Photo @ China Military Online

In fact, some of the work done by China on J-11 and its local adaptations (J-11B) were taken over and integrated within J-15 to have a device "similar" to other local productions and accelerate the development of the latter through the use of technological bricks already developed.

Overall dimensions

Responsible for the protection of the air carrier group and whatever it is by obtaining air superiority or the attack of the enemy surface ships, the J-15 is a heavy and imposing device which can absolutely not disavow his affiliation to Su-27 Flanker .

Classified in generation 3 devices (equivalent in the West to generation 4 ) that will eventually give way to a generation 4 device (so generation 5 in the West ...), it is nonetheless a modern and credible device face to any potential opponent for China.

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Seized the moment it goes to touch the stopper: the J-15 n ° 14. Photo @ China Military Online

In terms of overall dimensions, which are for the most part identical to those of Su-33, the following figures are available:

Length: 21.19 m
Wingspan: 14.7 m
Wingspan with folded wings: 8.4 m (Su-33: 7.4 m)
Height: 5.72 m
Wing area: 67.84 m² Curb
weight: 17, 5 tonnes (Su-33: 18.4 tonnes)
Payload: 6.5 tonnes
Gross weight: 29.94 tonnes
Maximum take-off
weight : 33 tonnes Maximum landing weight: 24.5 tonnes

The landing gear is exactly the same as that of the Su-33: a double front wheel mounted slightly behind the cockpit and two main trains with one wheel mounted along the reactors; all with powerful dampers to absorb the impact of the deck.

chinese-j-15-flying-shark-and-varyag-aircraft-carrier-takoff-operational-carrier-landing-missile-sd-10-pl-12-pl-10-asr-bvr-ramjet-pgm-ls-6-1.jpg

This prototype J-15 allows to see the configuration of the landing gear of the aircraft. Photo@?

On the basis of available photos, the wing folding system has been slightly modified compared to the Su-33 for a reason that has not been specified so far.

Engines

The Shenyang J-15 has two Saturn AL-31F series 3 engines (Izd.99A), the latter being identical to those fitted to the Su-33. This is a modified variant of the AL-31F engine fitted to the Su-27 and featuring emergency afterburner and enhanced corrosion protection.

Each engine has a power of:

75.2 kN dry
122.5 kN afterburner
125.5 kN in emergency afterburner

The thrust / weight ratio offered by the AL-31F series 3 is estimated at 0.83.

It is well-known that progress in the development of Chinese indigenous engines has been slow and complex, forcing local decision-makers to continue to equip Russian engines during the development and refinement of local engines. . The J-15 is no exception; some prototypes are still equipped with the Saturn AL-31F series 3 engine (Izd 99A) while others will test a Chinese engine: the Shenyang WS-10 (H) .

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This photo of the prototype 553 Red allows to see the AL-31F and their characteristic nozzles. [email protected]

This new turbofan engine developed by the 606 Institute is the Chinese response to the current import of AL-31F to equip its local productions; the engine has had a long and delicate phase of development and maturation which saw its entry into service be done gradually on some prototypes before starting to equip J-10, J-11, J-15 (prototypes) and J-16. According to figures available on the Internet, it would offer a power gain compared to the AL-31F series 3 with a power of 132 kN post-combustion: this increase in power coupled with a decrease in the mass of the device would offer performance gains for the least interesting.

The J-15 series already produced are all equipped with AL-31F series 3 engines, however, it is said that the next batches of devices to produce and / or new variants would pass directly on WS-10 (H) if the latter came to give full and complete satisfaction.

The J-15 can be refueled in flight via a retractable boom mounted at the front of the cockpit to the left of the pilot. The on-board system can receive 2,300 liters of fuel per minute and the total fuel capacity of the aircraft is 9.5 tons of fuel.

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The prototype 556 Red with pod UPAZ-1A in central port. [email protected]

In addition, the J-15 has a central point "wet" (located between the reactors) on which can be mounted UPAZ-1A pod to supply other devices (principle of " buddy refueling "), the latter offering a flow rate of 1,000 L / minute.

performances

The maximum speed of the aircraft is capped at 2,300 km / h (in smooth configuration) at altitude while the maximum speed at sea level is 1,300 km / h.

Thanks to its configuration with ducks and fins, the J-15 has a reduced approach speed compared to a Su-27 / J-11; the aircraft can land at 240 km / h (a J-11 can not descend below 270 km / h under penalty of stall). The wing load of the device is 483 Kg / m².
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
pb19980515
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about the weapons of the J-15.

My less-than-perfect translations:

pb19980515: 现在的歼15还没有整合鹰击12到火控。。。。。现在的歼15火控硬件是歼11B改型的 ,软件参考了飞豹A,所以对地对舰只能使用飞豹A的武器。
Translation: The current J-15s have not yet integrated the YJ-12 into their FCS. The J-15 uses J-11B's avionics and JH-7A's software, and hence it can only fire weapons that are also carried by the JH-7A.

Q: 但您之前提到
15进行了超大尺寸挂载物的试飞
并且确定是后点起飞来着

pb19980515: 挂弹测试起降能力的。获取飞行数据。。还挂过PL10呢。。。但是不能使用。。
a15.gif
需要升级火控
Translation: The J-15s have been carrying weapons to get flight test data. Although the J-15 has physically carried the PL-10, it cannot fire the PL-10 since the latter has not been integrated with the FCS (exact words were: FCS needs to be upgraded).

Q: 也就是说,挂YJ-12没问题,只要新型号的J-15出来就能用?

pb19980515: 改进型歼15将来几十年服役期就是为了挂这些大型武器的,给新一代舰载机当搬运工,与空军歼16一样形成与四代机的搭配作战。
不止挂大型对面武器,大型对空武器也是它的活,比如射程400打预警机 轰炸机 加油机的。
我估计老歼15也会升级火控达到使用新型武器的目的。。。也就是说将来老歼15也有可能挂载鹰击12
Translation: The improved J-15 will be able to carry these heavy weapons (referring to the YJ-12). It will serve alongside the next-generation carrier-based fighter, much like how the J-16 serves alongside the J-20. The (improved) J-15 will also carry heavy air-to-air weapons such as 400-km-ranged anti-AWACS/bomber/refueler missile. I (pb19980515) suspect that the old J-15s will upgrade their FCS to be able to fire new weapons, such as YJ-12.

Q: 不可能,公开照片上YJ-83也就带两枚。我判断歼15应该能带YJ-12,但最多机腹下挂一枚,再多带的话即 ...

pb19980515: 据测试结果来看,某种飞行剖面 ,三枚鹰击12 ,歼15也能有几百公里的作战半径(具体几百就不要问了 )。。。。但是没有归入作战配置。可能需要更多安全冗余的考虑,换发之后估计可以放开限制。
Translation: As per test data, a J-15 configuration consisting of three (!!) YJ-12s can provide a combat radius of a few hundred kilometers (don't ask for specifics). However, such a configuration has not been classified as a "combat load" possibly due to safety concerns. Nevertheless, this may change once the J-15 gets new engines.

Q: J-15弹射版给海飞丝当搭档?类似于J-16给J-20当搭档?

pb19980515: 对嘛。。。。。。。就是这么规划的。
Translation: J-15 improved variant will be a "partner" to the 5th-generation carrier-borne fighter, much like how the J-16 is a "partner" to the J-20.

Q: 那么J-15B与J-15弹射版合并了吗?J-15的三代半改型不可能还搞两款吧?

pb19980515: 同一个型号、、、、有可能不叫歼15B。同样可以部署到滑越航母上。
Translation: J-15 improved version will be a CATOBAR-compatible variant. It might not actually be called the "J-15B". It will also be able to operate off of STOBAR carriers.

pb19980515: 还有一点,歼15机翼折叠处外侧第一个挂点是可以挂900多公斤重量的武器的。。。。也就是说挂YJ83K是毫不费力。
smile.gif
Translation: the first hardpoint distal to the folding joint of the J-15's wing is capable of carrying a 900 kg weapon, and thus a YJ-83K shouldn't be a problem.


As usual, please correct if I've mistranslated. :)
 

jobjed

Captain
Translation: the first hardpoint distal to the folding joint of the J-15's wing is capable of carrying a 900 kg weapon, and thus a YJ-83K shouldn't be a problem.

Basically perfect. The last one about YJ-83s wasn't so much "shouldn't be a problem", it's more like "wasn't even close to being a problem".

I suspect it was a response to another poster who speculated the J-15 could only carry one YJ-12 on its centreline pylon because the wings have only been shown to carry YJ-83s.
 
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SinoSoldier

Colonel
Basically prefect. The last one about YJ-83s wasn't so much "shouldn't be a problem", it's more like "wasn't even close to being a problem".

I suspect it was a response to another poster who speculated the J-15 could only carry one YJ-12 on its centreline pylon because the wings have only been shown to carry YJ-83s.

It also implies that the J-15 has done load-bearing tests with the YJ-12, possibly from a carrier.
 

jobjed

Captain
It also implies that the J-15 has done load-bearing tests with the YJ-12, possibly from a carrier.
Pb already confirmed J-15 carried YJ-12 dummy loads for flight tests, which implies loading stress and strain data were collected as part of the test campaign.

Also, load bearing tests are mostly done statically on the ground because they're tested to failure then a safe load limit is set at 1÷1.4 of the failure load.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
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Registered Member
...
Translation: As per test data, a J-15 configuration consisting of three (!!) YJ-12s can provide a combat radius of a few hundred kilometers (don't ask for specifics). However, such a configuration has not been classified as a "combat load" possibly due to safety concerns. Nevertheless, this may change once the J-15 gets new engines.
...

Pardon to say so, but that statement alone disqualifies all other information given. Look at the size of the YJ-12 - it's not just huge, it's a monster of an AShMs.

A J-15 can never ever carry 3 of them and even less take-off from a carrier with such a load.
 

Quickie

Colonel
Pardon to say so, but that statement alone disqualifies all other information given. Look at the size of the YJ-12 - it's not just huge, it's a monster of an AShMs.

A J-15 can never ever carry 3 of them and even less take-off from a carrier with such a load.

Possibly still viable. The J-15 would have to take off with a very light internal fuel load and then rely on airborne refueling to fill up its tank.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Possibly still viable. .


Did you ever notice how huge the YJ-12 is alone on a H-6G? and that one can carry only two ... so how should the J-15 carry even three let alone taking off from a carrier.

IMO plain impossible.
 
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