J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

[Deino]

Finally a number confirmed for the J-15D EW-variant: This image clearly shows the no. 563 so it is the third prototype of that variant.

55x = J-15 prototypes
56x = J-15S and J-15D ... so they are rated one variant?
57x = J-15T prototypes





Interesting however, I know exactly this image albeit much smaller with the serial number erased since December 2020.

 

[supersnoop]

Finally a number confirmed for the J-15D EW-variant: This image clearly shows the no. 563 so it is the third prototype of that variant.

55x = J-15 prototypes
56x = J-15S and J-15D ... so they are rated one variant?
57x = J-15T prototypes

View attachment 81796
View attachment 81797


Interesting however, I know exactly this image albeit much smaller with the serial number erased since December 2020.

View attachment 81798

Would prototypes in this stage be fitted with the production level EW suite?

Asking because these wingtip pods do not look like the J-16D pods at all. I would imagine that this would be an ideal opportunity to have common equipment.

 

[Deino]

Would prototypes in this stage be fitted with the production level EW suite?

Asking because these wingtip pods do not look like the J-16D pods at all. I would imagine that this would be an ideal opportunity to have common equipment.

Good question, I don't think they carry a full EW suite during the initial test phase but later surely. Point is, we barely know enough to say at what level the flight testing phase stands and in comparison to the J-16D, which quite surprisingly entered service and was unveiled, we know close to nothing.

What I find interesting is, that both the J-15S and J-15D have the same prototype numbers, which could be a hint that they are indeed rated as one variant. So maybe rumours about the designation J-17 is not entirely stupid and eventually the 561 prototype was not really a trainer prototype, but simply a twin-seater prototype to test this configuration for either only the J-15D or for a common mulitirole variant.

 

[GTI]

Good question, I don't think they carry a full EW suite during the initial test phase but later surely. Point is, we barely know enough to say at what level the flight testing phase stands and in comparison to the J-16D, which quite surprisingly entered service and was unveiled, we know close to nothing.

What I find interesting is, that both the J-15S and J-15D have the same prototype numbers, which could be a hint that they are indeed rated as one variant. So maybe rumours about the designation J-17 is not entirely stupid and eventually the 561 prototype was not really a trainer prototype, but simply a twin-seater prototype to test this configuration for either only the J-15D or for a common mulitirole variant.

Would it be safe to assume that there will one day be a “J-15TD” variant (CATOBAR)?

If so, why would they not make a single CATOBAR capable variant, or would the [even] heavier undercarriage affect STOBAR performance on 001 and 002?

I know F-18s can take off from ski jumps, but the J-15 is heavy (which still won’t stop the J-15T from becoming indisputably the best carrier borne sub-5 gen fighter in the world).

 

[supersnoop]

Would it be safe to assume that there will one day be a “J-15TD” variant (CATOBAR)?

If so, why would they not make a single CATOBAR capable variant, or would the [even] heavier undercarriage affect STOBAR performance on 001 and 002?

I know F-18s can take off from ski jumps, but the J-15 is heavy (which still won’t stop the J-15T from becoming indisputably the best carrier borne sub-5 gen fighter in the world).

My guess is schedule risk.

At some point J-15T would require an actual working CATOBAR carrier to be considered fully operational.

If the carrier is delayed, and you don’t want to delay the other variants then you would be working with a prototype that might need further changes.

If you develop based on the STOBAR version, you are only making one set of changes at a time.

 

[Atomicfrog]

Would it be safe to assume that there will one day be a “J-15TD” variant (CATOBAR)?

If so, why would they not make a single CATOBAR capable variant, or would the [even] heavier undercarriage affect STOBAR performance on 001 and 002?

I know F-18s can take off from ski jumps, but the J-15 is heavy (which still won’t stop the J-15T from becoming indisputably the best carrier borne sub-5 gen fighter in the world).

Weight is irrelevant if you have enough wing area and thrust... F-18 have a worse thrust to weight ratio than a flanker. Would be interesting to see if the CATOBAR is heavier than the STOBAR J-15. I'm pretty sure that they refined it and loss enough weight to compensate the front structure reinforcement to be pulled by a catapult. They will probablt test it on the STOBAR so an airplane can be diverted to the STOBAR carriers in case of emergency.

 

[Deino]

Seems as if there is a J-15D at Huangduicun but it seems to be a second aircraft since it is not the painted one.




PS; just noticed that it now has the same J-16D-style EW-pods on the wingtips...

 

[KevinG]

Seems as if there is a J-15D at Huangduicun but it seems to be a second aircraft since it is not the painted one.

View attachment 82016View attachment 82015


PS; just noticed that it now has the same J-16D-style EW-pods on the wingtips...

View attachment 82017

Are they testing compatibility of J-15D with CATOBAR facility at Huludao?

 

[Interstellar]

Seems as if there is a J-15D at Huangduicun but it seems to be a second aircraft since it is not the painted one.

View attachment 82016View attachment 82015


PS; just noticed that it now has the same J-16D-style EW-pods on the wingtips...

View attachment 82017

Maybe it is a J-16D from the beginning.

 

[Deino]

Maybe it is a J-16D from the beginning.

Agreed and indeed, I had this idea too … but why a yellow coloured J-16D at Huangdicun?