I don’t think so. The “J-16” not only has a pitot tube but also only has a single seat!
China Flanker Thread III (land based, exclude J-15)
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
He's referring to the airframe(s) that he specified/annotated as J-16 in the images (he used a white font for the text and arrows so it's harder to see).
The J-16 airframes he identified has pitot tubes so they are likely one of the J-16 prototypes that have since been retired.
J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force stand by on the ground prior to a flight training exercise in late June, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zheng Hanyi)
A J-16 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force accelerates for takeoff during a flight training exercise in late June, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zheng Hanyi)
A J-16 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force soars into the sky during a flight training exercise in late June, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zheng Hanyi)
J-16 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxi and take off in sequence during a flight training exercise in late June, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zheng Hanyi)
A J-16 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force deploys its drag chute on the runway after completing a flight training exercise in late June, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zheng Hanyi)
A J-16 fighter jet attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxis on the runway during a flight training exercise in early July, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photos by Luan Mengqi)
A J-16 fighter jet attached to a unit under the Chinese PLA Air Force takes off during a flight training exercise in early July, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Luan Mengqi)