J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
That‘s indeed the point and at least I have no answer yet …
Just out of memory, we saw allegedly a J-15B under construction in February 2022 (or was it even 2021?) and soon thereafter first „clearer“ images appeared suggesting, it may have entered production.
However - and similar to the „missing„ J-20 units I‘m quite sure @Blitzo does not agree with me - I think if there are already more out and maybe even in use preparing for service and teaching pilots, we „should“ have seen more of them. Even more so, we should have seen at least some with PLA logo and not only in grey with the shark on its tail, which IMO hints it is still a prototype or pre-serial.
As such, if flight testing off the Fujian should start somewhere in 2024, then at least more J-15Bs must fly already off land bases, pilots and technicians must prepare for the next phase … but where are they!?
As such, either I‘m again missing something or - as proposed by others - the PLA‘s OPSEC is just that good.
If I remember right then only a while ago there were doubts regarding whether the project still continues or not and now there is some hints regarding it being in service already.
It is confusing but I believe we will see something contrete by next year.
Those things could‘ve been accomplished using a modified version of the existing J-15. J-15B clearly has a difference radome (similar to a J-16 radome), indicating the addition of a new radar (AESA most probably). This is just too much effort for just testing the catapults.
Most likely, J-15B will complement J-35 on Fujian. It could also be a transition aircraft for PLAN. I mean moving for a STOBAR with heavy fourth gen fighters to a CATOBAR with medium fifth gen fighters will not be easy. J-15B could act as the familiar platform that cushions the transition (While also being a potent system).
A bit clearer ...
Also interesting, as it seems, these recent images are photographed not at the PLAN carrier training facility at Huangdicun but southwest of Shenyang, where the no. 112 SAC Factory is located. (Image via @壹大师 from Weibo)
Another J-15S twin-seater confirmed: This time no. 40.
As it seems, there are 15 J-15S in service numbered 39 to 53 of which are only seven - nos. 39, 40, 41, 46, 49,41 and 53 - so far confirmed.
(Image via @太湖军I名 from Weibo)
As it seems, there are 15 J-15S in service numbered 39 to 53 of which are only seven - nos. 39, 40, 41, 46, 49,41 and 53 - so far confirmed.
(Image via @太湖军I名 from Weibo)
