J-15 carrier-borne fighter thread

[Blitzo]

Something on j15t from shilao podcast recently. They said that it is maybe 100 or 200 kg heavier than the original, but is equipped with more powerful engines, so should have no problem taking off from cv16 with load. It is expected that as j15b join service, they will eventually be moved to the stobar carriers and replace the first generation j15s.

I think something we need to wait to confirm is whether the production J-15B will be using WS-10 or Al-31.

The J-15T demonstrators were powered by WS-10s, but a few recent images of J-15B that display its engines, seem to have a consistent appearance with Al-31s rather than any of the WS-10 variants.

 

[pakje]

I think something we need to wait to confirm is whether the production J-15B will be using WS-10 or Al-31.

The J-15T demonstrators were powered by WS-10s, but a few recent images of J-15B that display its engines, seem to have a consistent appearance with Al-31s rather than any of the WS-10 variants.

I was under the impression China has exhausted its supply of AL-31 years ago. Was there an order recently?

 

[tphuang]

I think something we need to wait to confirm is whether the production J-15B will be using WS-10 or Al-31.

The J-15T demonstrators were powered by WS-10s, but a few recent images of J-15B that display its engines, seem to have a consistent appearance with Al-31s rather than any of the WS-10 variants.

They did not say anything about WS-10 vs AL-31. I do get the impression from their previous talks that at least the initial batch will be on AL-31. Not really sure how the Russians got improved thrust version developed/tested.

 

[Blitzo]

They did not say anything about WS-10 vs AL-31. I do get the impression from their previous talks that at least the initial batch will be on AL-31. Not really sure how the Russians got improved thrust version developed/tested.

From the few pictures we have of the J-15B airframes that currently exist, they are almost certainly Al-31 powered.


Whether they'll shift to WS-10 or not in the future batches, we can only speculate. It is generally rare for clear and decisive information to be released from their talks.

 

[Tiberium]

From the few pictures we have of the J-15B airframes that currently exist, they are almost certainly Al-31 powered.


Whether they'll shift to WS-10 or not in the future batches, we can only speculate. It is generally rare for clear and decisive information to be released from their talks.

Actually the pictures of J-15B we've seen right now does not indicate what engine it has.

To clarify we should distinguish J-15B and J-15T, I think most of people can't tell the difference. However we havn't seen any official designation yet, I would define J-15B as the next generation of J-15, which would serve on the catobar carrier of PLAN; however, J-15T is the test frame of J-15 catobar version, as 601 produced several ones for the test of catoput system. The difference between J-15B and J-15T is J-15B adopt all the modification 601 would put on a 4.5gen fighter, but J-15T is just a modified version of OG J-15.

I can safely say the pictures which show the engine are all J-15T, not J-15B. The only J-15B picture we've seen right now all only show the front area of the aircraft, so we still cannot be sure what engine it would use. I personally believe it would be WS-10.

 

[Blitzo]

Actually the pictures of J-15B we've seen right now does not indicate what engine it has.

To clarify we should distinguish J-15B and J-15T, I think most of people can't tell the difference. However we havn't seen any official designation yet, I would define J-15B as the next generation of J-15, which would serve on the catobar carrier of PLAN; however, J-15T is the test frame of J-15 catobar version, as 601 produced several ones for the test of catoput system. The difference between J-15B and J-15T is J-15B adopt all the modification 601 would put on a 4.5gen fighter, but J-15T is just a modified version of OG J-15.

I can safely say the pictures which show the engine are all J-15T, not J-15B. The only J-15B picture we've seen right now all only show the front area of the aircraft, so we still cannot be sure what engine it would use. I personally believe it would be WS-10.

I think most people here already identify J-15B as the production ready, CATOBAR compatible, 4.5th gen J-15 variant.
While the J-15T is widely accepted to be the structural testbed prototypes for a CATOBAR compatible J-15 airframe.



Yes, most of the images of J-15B are from the frontal perspective, but there are images depicting its engine section.

We have one very likely picture of J-15B here, which was very heavily hinted to be of J-15B, especially notable due to its different slimelight configuration and also the different tail shark marking and lack of roundel.

This engine below, of course I think is very clearly Al-31.






Additionally, there is another image that I have which I am unfortunately not at privilege to share, which is a bit more blurry but shows the full length and underside of the J-15B, which also depicts its engine section, and the overall shape and colour of the nozzle is strongly indicative of it being Al-31, and also by counting the black and white marks on the tailsting when compared to pictures of J-15s with WS-10s.


To put it clear -- the J-15T airframes are of course powered by WS-10s.

But based on the few images I've seen, I think there is a high chance that J-15B (at least the initial airframes) is being powered by Al-31s.

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

I think most people here already identify J-15B as the production ready, CATOBAR compatible, 4.5th gen J-15 variant.
While the J-15T is widely accepted to be the structural testbed prototypes for a CATOBAR compatible J-15 airframe.



Yes, most of the images of J-15B are from the frontal perspective, but there are images depicting its engine section.

We have one very likely picture of J-15B here, which was very heavily hinted to be of J-15B, especially notable due to its different slimelight configuration and also the different tail shark marking and lack of roundel.

This engine below, of course I think is very clearly Al-31.

View attachment 91681




Additionally, there is another image that I have which I am unfortunately not at privilege to share, which is a bit more blurry but shows the full length and underside of the J-15B, which also depicts its engine section, and the overall shape and colour of the nozzle is strongly indicative of it being Al-31, and also by counting the black and white marks on the tailsting when compared to pictures of J-15s with WS-10s.


To put it clear -- the J-15T airframes are of course powered by WS-10s.

But based on the few images I've seen, I think there is a high chance that J-15B (at least the initial airframes) is being powered by Al-31s.

Any thoughts on why this step backward?

 

[by78]

Top Hook of the Year.

 

[Blitzo]

Any thoughts on why this step backward?

Not sure. Could be just PLAN conservatism in general.
Possibility of there being performance that doesn't meet a certain PLAN standard cannot be ruled out.

 

[Tiberium]

I think most people here already identify J-15B as the production ready, CATOBAR compatible, 4.5th gen J-15 variant.
While the J-15T is widely accepted to be the structural testbed prototypes for a CATOBAR compatible J-15 airframe.



Yes, most of the images of J-15B are from the frontal perspective, but there are images depicting its engine section.

We have one very likely picture of J-15B here, which was very heavily hinted to be of J-15B, especially notable due to its different slimelight configuration and also the different tail shark marking and lack of roundel.

This engine below, of course I think is very clearly Al-31.

View attachment 91681




Additionally, there is another image that I have which I am unfortunately not at privilege to share, which is a bit more blurry but shows the full length and underside of the J-15B, which also depicts its engine section, and the overall shape and colour of the nozzle is strongly indicative of it being Al-31, and also by counting the black and white marks on the tailsting when compared to pictures of J-15s with WS-10s.


To put it clear -- the J-15T airframes are of course powered by WS-10s.

But based on the few images I've seen, I think there is a high chance that J-15B (at least the initial airframes) is being powered by Al-31s.

Oh I see, never thought of this one.

Maybe the idea is to keep the lineup in PLANAF? Or just conservatism.