J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

[hkvaryag]

I always wondered how much the canted radome aperture could improve the RCS and as a side effect the BVR performance of a Flanker on a 1v1 basis. Like essentially, aside from the Mig-31, these things have the biggest RCS of an active, high end fighter although we don't know the details.

F-14 and F-15ABCDE are even bigger than SU-27.............(25 m2 VS 15m2)
While new generation Su-27 / 30 /34 / 35 are reduced to 1-4 m2

 

[siegecrossbow]

F-14 and F-15ABCDE are even bigger than SU-27.............(25 m2 VS 15m2)
While new generation Su-27 / 30 /34 / 35 are reduced to 1-4 m2

Those are frontal figures. F-16 is 100 m^2 from the side. Imagine how big the flanker/eagle can get.

 

[Alfa_Particle]

Looks like they’ll be sticking with AL-31 for the time being.

This is only a prototype, no? Actual production ones might use WS-10s.

 

[Blitzo]

This is only a prototype, no? Actual production ones might use WS-10s.

If there isn't at least one (ideally multiple) prototype of J-15B somewhere out there that's been flying WS-10s, then it is unlikely it will enter initial service/production with WS-10s. Of course, in theory it's possible there are one or more J-15B prototypes with WS-10s that we just haven't seen yet given our photos of J-15B prototypes and airframes are hardly up to date... but it's also not something which can be assumed as default to exist.

Having a higher threshold for indicators relating to engines is a good policy for PLA watching no matter the domain.

 

[Deino]

PLAN gradually adapting WS-10 in J-15.. i still believe actual production will use WS-10 engines.. let see

But so far no regular operational one uses WS-10.

 

[THX 1138]

It's odd that the PLAN is ready to mount the WS-13 on sea-borne aircraft, but not the WS-10.

 

[Akame]

What are the differences between J-15T and J-15B aircraft?

And again another image of a J-15B; here prototype no, 1511. (Image courtesy of CGSJS via Huitong‘s CMA-Blog)

View attachment 126524

 

[Deino]

What are the differences between J-15T and J-15B aircraft?

T is based on the old airframe and identifiable by the regular radar/radome and a single piece front landing gear door. The updated B has the J-11D‘s canted radome, wing rip pylons for PL-10 and twin front landing gear doors.

 

[Blitzo]

What are the differences between J-15T and J-15B aircraft?

Deino addressed the external differences that allows us to identify the two.

If you are asking about their role, essentially J-15T is a structural demonstrator for catapult launch, not intended for actual PLA service.

J-15B on the other hand, is catapult launched as well (likely benefiting from the demonstration and tests done by J-15T) but it is a fully developed aircraft (i.e. subsystems all integrated etc) intended for PLA service.

 

[Deino]

If there isn't at least one (ideally multiple) prototype of J-15B somewhere out there that's been flying WS-10s, then it is unlikely it will enter initial service/production with WS-10s. Of course, in theory it's possible there are one or more J-15B prototypes with WS-10s that we just haven't seen yet given our photos of J-15B prototypes and airframes are hardly up to date... but it's also not something which can be assumed as default to exist.

Having a higher threshold for indicators relating to engines is a good policy for PLA watching no matter the domain.

Indeed a bit of a surprise that so far none of the true J-15B prototypes - #1511 & #1513 - have been seen with WS-10 engines, but at least a J-15T is using them.

This image of a J-15T prototype itself is already quite old - I have it since mid-September 2016!!! - but I found this much better version showing its WS-10 engines.

(Image via @K1航 from Weibo)