J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

by78

General
Practicing for the parade...

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Lethe

Captain
Is there any technical comparison among J-15, Super Hornet, Su-33 and Rafale M? I am not after any political nonsense.

J-15 is theoretically more capable than Super Hornet or Rafale in most respects, mostly because it is a larger aircraft (but also having a superior aerodynamic design compared to the notoriously compromised Super Hornet). However, being operated in STOBAR configuration rules out heavier payloads and erases most of those theoretical advantages. Also, both Super Hornet and Rafale are more mature platforms for their respective operators and their capabilities have been filled out with a wide variety of munitions, pods, electronic warfare and aerial refueling capabilities.

Today, as an integrated package operated from their respective carriers, both Super Hornet and Rafale offer more than J-15. A new J-15 variant operated from a CATOBAR carrier can surpass those platforms, but that will take some time. Meanwhile, the next generation beckons...
 
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Brumby

Major
J-15 is theoretically more capable than Super Hornet or Rafale in most respects, mostly because it is a larger aircraft (but also having a superior aerodynamic design compared to the notoriously compromised Super Hornet).

Modern aviation capability is built around sensors and avionics because of the sensor shooter equation and not weapons loadout. Unless you can explain what is the J-15 's sensor and avionics capability it is a pointless conversation. The immediate problem with the J-15 is its higher RCS profile relative to the F-18 and Rafael.
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
Modern aviation capability is built around sensors and avionics because of the sensor shooter equation and not weapons loadout. Unless you can explain what is the J-15 's sensor and avionics capability it is a pointless conversation. The immediate problem with the J-15 is its higher RCS profile relative to the F-18 and Rafael.


Exactly. But he did mention theoretically. It is the larger aircraft that can carry more sensors and avionics. The greater diameter of the J-15's nose means it can accommodate an AESA with more elements for example. The RCS increase doesn't matter much against modern AESA, and the larger aircraft can also potentially accommodate more ECM.
 

Lethe

Captain
Compared to Super Hornet, a mature catapult-launched J-15 (call it J-15D) would have...

Longer range/endurance
Greater payload
Better acceleration
Higher top speed
Better roll rate
Better instantaneous and sustained turn rates
Bigger radar
IRST

Super Hornet probably has marginally lower RCS.

J-15 is not only a significantly larger aircraft with all the advantages that carries, but also a superb aerodynamic design, while Super Hornet is … not. Rafale matches or exceeds J-15 in most aerodynamic/kinematic realms but is much smaller.
 
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Brumby

Major
Exactly. But he did mention theoretically.
It is not a theoretical conversation because the F-18 and the Rafael are equipped with certain known capabilities and hence my initial point that it is rather a pointless conversation unless a similar level of knowledge is known of the J-15.

It is the larger aircraft that can carry more sensors and avionics.
…. except we are talking about existing platforms with known sensors and avionics and not some theoretical unknown general state.

The greater diameter of the J-15's nose means it can accommodate an AESA with more elements for example.
Is the J-15 equipped with an AESA radar? If not, the point is rather redundant. If it is we can then take the conversation a step further.

The RCS increase doesn't matter much against modern AESA, and the larger aircraft can also potentially accommodate more ECM.

On the contrary, AESA with its dB advantage generates a greater detection range. A higher RCS profile just adds to its detectability besides the fact that it is at a disadvantage when considering RCS and jamming equation. . ECM is not a dependent on space but of tech level, sensors and integration.
 

Tam

Brigadier
Registered Member
It is not a theoretical conversation because the F-18 and the Rafael are equipped with certain known capabilities and hence my initial point that it is rather a pointless conversation unless a similar level of knowledge is known of the J-15.


…. except we are talking about existing platforms with known sensors and avionics and not some theoretical unknown general state.


Is the J-15 equipped with an AESA radar? If not, the point is rather redundant. If it is we can then take the conversation a step further.

He is referring to the J-15D which is already on testing, and there are photographs to that effect. The J-15D is the J-15 with the J-16 avionics, so yes that will have AESA and ECM. That's the J-15 Growler.

On the contrary, AESA with its dB advantage generates a greater detection range. A higher RCS profile just adds to its detectability besides the fact that it is at a disadvantage when considering RCS and jamming equation. . ECM is not a dependent on space but of tech level, sensors and integration.

The difference between an F-18, Rafale to a J-15D is not likely to be that significant in the context of a powerful AESA.

A more powerful AESA would easily pick off an F-18 or Rafale. Don't assume that the Chinese are noobs in ECM, anything to do with RF and spectrum techs plays very well into their technological strengths.
 
D

Deleted member 13312

Guest
Discussing about the electronic aspect of the J-15 at this point is pretty much pointless as we don't know what new systems China decides to put in them nor the quality. But the Su-33 in its 1980s form is certainly not in the same league as the SH and the Rafale.
On the issue of airframe and kinematics, Aus Air Power run an article that discussed it, to cut a long story short that against the SH at least a Flanker will prove to be a extremely dangerous opponent at short range due to more powerful engines & better designed airframe as well as a respectable Infrared detect suit. So the J-15D has at least that going for it against the SH though that was never really a suprise seeing as how the Su-33 was more like F-14 analogue. Against the Rafale it is less certain seeing as the Rafale actually have a higher thrust to weight ratio and a better designed air frame then the SH.
 
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