J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
By this point, the general consensus seems to be that the J-15 has filled its role as a temporary solution, and that the PLANAF is looking to acquire a next-generation carrier-borne fighter. Whichever aircraft will succeed the J-15 likely won't be the J-31, but will likely still be produced by Shenyang.

The J-15 is big, but its large size isn't only reason to induct a new model of aircraft. If the PLAN wants to compete with the F-35, then they'll need to come up with something of the same generation, at the very least, so an upgrade in all aspects is required.

Sure but even the US Navy still mainly operates the F/A-18E Super Hornet. At best you see the F-35B in use with the Marines with a limited capability. There are F-35A stationed in Japan I think but those are not exactly in China's main interest area (just look at their Northern Fleet, it is not where they put the Carrier). The F-35C will enter service soon, but it is still not in operation. Is it worth it to develop a new fighter for the STOBAR carriers? Or should they just keep working on something better that is explicitly designed for the CATOBAR carriers which are under construction? By that time the WS-15 should be available for example.
 

Dfangsaur

Junior Member
Registered Member
By this point, the general consensus seems to be that the J-15 has filled its role as a temporary solution, and that the PLANAF is looking to acquire a next-generation carrier-borne fighter. Whichever aircraft will succeed the J-15 likely won't be the J-31, but will likely still be produced by Shenyang.

The J-15 is big, but its large size isn't only reason to induct a new model of aircraft. If the PLAN wants to compete with the F-35, then they'll need to come up with something of the same generation, at the very least, so an upgrade in all aspects is required.
Sure but even the US Navy still mainly operates the F/A-18E Super Hornet. At best you see the F-35B in use with the Marines with a limited capability. There are F-35A stationed in Japan I think but those are not exactly in China's main interest area (just look at their Northern Fleet, it is not where they put the Carrier). The F-35C will enter service soon, but it is still not in operation. Is it worth it to develop a new fighter for the STOBAR carriers? Or should they just keep working on something better that is explicitly designed for the CATOBAR carriers which are under construction? By that time the WS-15 should be available for example.
j-15 is too big for STOBAR, but it is actually perfect for CATOBAR. I would even say it was destined for CATOBAR in order to reach its full potential thus I don't see PLAN ditching J-15 any time soon.
 

Mirabo

Junior Member
Registered Member
To clarify, I don't mean that the J-15 is not a viable aircraft. The fact is that a new carrier-borne fighter is under development. There is nothing concrete yet but we've been hearing scattered rumors for quite a while now.
 

Intrepid

Major
J-15 is the better aircraft for STOBAR because it has 10 knots less slow flying speed than MiG-29 for example. It has more wing area, so it is the better aircraft for beginners.
 

Twix101

Junior Member
J-15 is the better aircraft for STOBAR because it has 10 knots less slow flying speed than MiG-29 for example. It has more wing area, so it is the better aircraft for beginners.

At the same time, having a heavy-load aircraft would be nice to add punch to carrier strike group, along with longer range, it was the main improvement over F-18C/D for the E/F model.

It is of course nice for beginners but will reach its full potential once on a CATOBAR carrier, of course with associated modifications.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
...Whichever aircraft will succeed the J-15 likely won't be the J-31, but will likely still be produced by Shenyang.

....

Could you please explain that a bit more in detail? From what I noticed, the consensus is that the most likely option si indeed a type from SAC, but this is said to be a FC-31-based design. Or am I wrong?
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
A quick peek at Chinese defense boards (CJDBY, FYJS, etc.) is enough to show just how controversial the FC-31 vs J-20 debate has become. You literally have threads spanning tens of pages with users slinging mud, racial slurs, personal attacks, and outright false statements at each other.

It's not unlike what we've seen between Republicans and Democrats in the United States, but confined to the cesspools of the Internet.
 

kwaigonegin

Colonel
A quick peek at Chinese defense boards (CJDBY, FYJS, etc.) is enough to show just how controversial the FC-31 vs J-20 debate has become. You literally have threads spanning tens of pages with users slinging mud, racial slurs, personal attacks, and outright false statements at each other.

It's not unlike what we've seen between Republicans and Democrats in the United States, but confined to the cesspools of the Internet.

racial slurs?! lol how does that apply to FC31 vs J20?
 
Top