Intrepid
Major
Considering that the J-15 stationed in Huangdicun (at least ) are mainly used for basic flight training, this division in three types makes sense.
J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
I actually don't know where J-20A came from. However, the initial in-service Y-20 is called Y-20A so there may be a precedent. Henri K's on the Y-20A revelation expresses surprise so even a seasoned PLA-watcher was not expecting the initial variant to have the "A" suffix. At this point in time, I don't think we can reach a conclusion on PLA guidelines for nomenclature.
Hmm. Fair enough.
Also are we sure that the J-10 and J-10A are actually considered different "variants" as such? I didn't start following the PLA until about the J-10B made its maiden flight so it might have been before my time, but were there any actual substantive differences between J-10 and J-10A beyond PL-12 compatibility? I understand huitong lists J-10A as having an improved FCR and supposedly a newer glass cockpit but did we ever know what the actual physical differences between J-10 and J-10A, such as between glass cockpits?
Because if there's little or none, I would want to suggest that maybe it just took time for time to integrate PL-12 onto the J-10 platform... unless of course there are official accounts making the differentiation between J-10 and J-10A
Makes perfectly sense, even if I'm not sure on Your original A-proposal. Usually the first version to appear is the type without an letter - so was the J-8, J-7, J-10 and J-11 ... - which when modified becomes the A-model (or in the early days the I-model). This allocation of a new letter however is only official after it entered service, so it gets quite often mixed, if different projects or versions appear at different times: in that way the J-10 after the first I think two batches became J-10A, the modified J-11 became J-11A and so on. However there seem to be some exceptions and as such I think i am guilty for the J-20A-designation: the J-20 should IMO be designated J-20A since the early models (esp. the 200x types) should be the J-20, however most sources say still they are plain J-20s. In contrast the Y-20 in PLAAF-service is already the Y-20A, since it is said to differ (even if I don't know where) from the prototypes Y-20s.
As such the current J-15s should be either J-15 without a letter or J-15A, but since right with the appearance of the CAT-capable version it was called J-15A, I assume all standard ones are plain J-15s.
By that system the CAT-capable version is only unofficially an A, and I think there's even less logic to designate the reported interim version - aka STOBAR J-15 + AESA - already the J-15B.
IMO the current A-prototype (CAT) is therefore only a prototype and the AESA-type also only a project right now for a CAT-capable/AESA-equipped version, which will gain the J-15A-designation unless the original ones will be upgraded in the meantime, then they will be the J-15A and this final version will be the B.
I hope my explanation is not too confusing ...
Deino
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Military expert says mass production of new carrier-based fighter ‘fully expected’
By Li Yan () 15:12, April 27, 2017
J-15 fighters (File photo)
As attention is focused on the J-15B jet after the launch of China’s first domesticallyproduced aircraft carrier, a military expert has said that mass production of new carrier-based fighters can definitely be expected.
Yin Zhuo made the remarks in response to reports that China has suspended production ofits J-15 fighters, and will start production of J-15B fighters. J-15B fighters are equippedwith active electronically scanned array radars. They can compete with U.S.-made F-35B fighters in terms of detecting range and capability, which means they are competitive inbattles to control air and sea, according to media reports.
By Li Yan () 15:12, April 27, 2017
J-15 fighters (File photo)
As attention is focused on the J-15B jet after the launch of China’s first domesticallyproduced aircraft carrier, a military expert has said that mass production of new carrier-based fighters can definitely be expected.
Yin Zhuo made the remarks in response to reports that China has suspended production ofits J-15 fighters, and will start production of J-15B fighters. J-15B fighters are equippedwith active electronically scanned array radars. They can compete with U.S.-made F-35B fighters in terms of detecting range and capability, which means they are competitive inbattles to control air and sea, according to media reports.
It will still be batch production as for all Flankers. 'Mass production' is a translation error.Military expert says mass production of new carrier-based fighter ‘fully expected’
By Li Yan () 15:12, April 27, 2017
J-15 fighters (File photo)
As attention is focused on the J-15B jet after the launch of China’s first domesticallyproduced aircraft carrier, a military expert has said that mass production of new carrier-based fighters can definitely be expected.
Yin Zhuo made the remarks in response to reports that China has suspended production ofits J-15 fighters, and will start production of J-15B fighters. J-15B fighters are equippedwith active electronically scanned array radars. They can compete with U.S.-made F-35B fighters in terms of detecting range and capability, which means they are competitive inbattles to control air and sea, according to media reports.
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Man the Chinese military is making some serious advances
So fast this year amazing
The tempo is up
So fast this year amazing
The tempo is up
They may be competitive against the F/18 in terms of battles to "control air and sea" but they certainly will not be competitive against the F-35B which they will not even see before the F-35B launches an attack. This is why the PLAN needs to have a navalized stealth fighter like J-31 or J-20.Military expert says mass production of new carrier-based fighter ‘fully expected’
By Li Yan () 15:12, April 27, 2017
J-15 fighters (File photo)
As attention is focused on the J-15B jet after the launch of China’s first domesticallyproduced aircraft carrier, a military expert has said that mass production of new carrier-based fighters can definitely be expected.
Yin Zhuo made the remarks in response to reports that China has suspended production ofits J-15 fighters, and will start production of J-15B fighters. J-15B fighters are equippedwith active electronically scanned array radars. They can compete with U.S.-made F-35B fighters in terms of detecting range and capability, which means they are competitive inbattles to control air and sea, according to media reports.
I imagine his statement about "detection range and capability" was only related to the "J-15B's" AESA radar and/or sensors, in which case I think it would make a whole lot more sense, and I think "competitive in battles to control air and sea" probably refers to competitiveness against another opponent rather than against each other. I'm not sure if there was an original video where he talked about this which would clarify.
That said it's a bit odd that he chose to mention F-35B instead of F-35C. I mean at the end of the day all three F-35 variants have the same avionics anyway, but you'd think F-35C would be a much more relevant comparison just for accuracy's sake.
Without specifying which (other) enemy fighters the author is talking about, mentioning F-35B and J-15B in the same sentence when talking about "competitive in battles to control air and sea" means they are being compared to each other; this is the most natural interpretation of the sentence, and you would have to do some intellectual twisting to interpret it otherwise.