J-15 Flying Shark
Two J-15s from Liaoning
Role	Carrier-based multirole fighter Type of aircraft
National origin	China
Manufacturer	Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
First flight	August 2009 [1]
Introduction	2013
Status	In production
Primary user	People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
Number built	60 [2]
Developed from	Sukhoi Su-33 Shenyang J-11B

The Shenyang J-15 ( Chinese : ?-15), also known as Flying Shark ( Chinese : ?? ; pinyin : F?ish? ; NATO reporting name: Flanker-X2 , ^[3] ) is a Chinese all-weather , twinjet , carrier-based fourth-generation ^[4] multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and the 601 Institute , specifically for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF) to serve on People's Liberation Army Navy 's aircraft carriers .

The T-10K-3, an unfinished prototype of the Su-33 , ^[5] was acquired by SAC from Ukraine ^[6] in 2001 and is claimed to have been studied extensively and reverse-engineered , with development on the J-15 beginning immediately afterward. ^{[7] [8]} While the J-15 appears to be structurally based on the prototype of Su-33, the fighter features indigenous Chinese technologies as well as avionics from the Shenyang J-11B program. ^[9] In February 2018, discussions about replacing the aircraft appeared in several Chinese media outlets including Xinhua and China's main military newspaper, discussing that it belongs to the 4th- or 4.5-generation fighters . Thus, the J-15 is viewed as an interim carrier-based fighter until a fifth-generation successor enters service, one that may be based on the Chengdu J-20 or Shenyang FC-31 .

Development [ edit ]

China has sought to purchase Su-33s from Russia on several occasions ? an unsuccessful offer was made as late as March 2009 ^[10] ? but negotiations collapsed in 2006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version ^{[11] [12] [13]} of the Sukhoi Su-27 SK, designated the Shenyang J-11B , ^{[14] [15]} in violation of intellectual property agreements. However, according to Chinese sources, the reason China withdrew from talks was that Russia wanted large payments to re-open Su-33 production lines and insisted on a Chinese purchase of at least 50 Su-33s, about which China was reluctant as it believed the aircraft would become outdated in a few years. China hence decided on an indigenous variant instead of continuing to assemble the J-11, the licensed Chinese version of Su-27 . ^{[16] [17]}

The J-15 program was officially started in 2006 with the codename Flying Shark. ^[18] The program goal was to develop a naval-capable fighter aircraft from the Shenyang J-11, with technologies reverse-engineered from T-10K-3, a Soviet Su-33 prototype acquired from Ukraine . ^[19] The first J-15 prototype made its maiden flight on August 31, 2009, believed to be powered by Russian-supplied Saturn AL-31 turbofan engines . ^[9] Video and still images of the flight were released in July 2010, showing the same basic airframe design as the Su-33. ^[20]

On May 7, 2010, the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump on land. ^[9] On November 25, 2012, the aircraft successfully performed its first takeoff and landing on Liaoning , ^[21] China's first operational aircraft carrier .

The twin-seat variant, J-15S, made its maiden flight on November 4, 2012. The twin-seat electronic warfare variant, similar to the role of United States Navy 's EA-18G Growler , dubbed J-15D, took its maiden flight in 2018. ^[22]

In 2016, the J-15T prototype with CATOBAR capability began test flight at PLA Navy land-based catapult facilities. ^[23] In November 2020, Jane's reported that SAC had produced a second prototype of the J-15T fighter aircraft. ^[24]

In 2021, military analysts reported that China has worked on an upgraded variant called J-15B, ^{[25] [26]} with new avionics, engines, and CATOBAR launch capability. The upgrade variant of J-15 is capable of launching newer PL-10 and PL-15 missiles. ^[27]

In November 2022, a production J-15 powered by the Shenyang WS-10 , possibly the WS-10B, appeared in Chinese media. ^[28] It was the last indigenous Chinese combat aircraft to replace the AL-31; ^[29] possibly due to navalisation . ^[30] According to Chinese observers, compared to the AL-31 the WS-10 had superior safety, reliability, and service life, aspects which are magnified by the constraints of carrier aviation. ^[31]

Design [ edit ]

The airframe of the J-15 is structurally reinforced for carrier landing and launching, with the addition of a tailhook and strengthened landing gears. ^[18] The aircraft incorporated a higher portion of composite materials than the Sukhoi Su-33 to save weight and improve aerodynamic performance, allowing for a slower landing speed compared to Su-33. ^[19]

An article in the China SignPost believes the J-15 "likely exceeds or matches the aerodynamic capabilities of virtually any fighter aircraft currently operated by regional militaries, except for the U.S. F-22 Raptor ", alleging that the J-15 likely possesses a 10% greater thrust-to-weight ratio and 25% lower wing loading than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet . ^{[32] [33]} However, one of the authors of that same article described the J-15 in another article as no game changer; the reliance on ski-jump launches and lack of Chinese carrier-based aerial refueling capabilities are believed to greatly reduce its effective combat range . ^[34] In 2014, it was revealed that the J-15 is capable of aerial refueling, using the UPAZ-1 buddy refueling pod, which can be carried by another J-15. ^[35] Hu Siyuan of the PLA National Defense University said that "the current weak point of the J-15 is its Russian-made AL-31 engines, which are less powerful than that of the American F-35 fighter". ^[36]

The J-15's chief designer, Sun Cong of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has said that the J-15 could match the F/A-18 in bomb load, combat radius and mobility. However, in a similar statement, he said more work was required on its electronics and combat systems. ^[37] Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo stated that the aircraft's air combat capabilities were better than that of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. However, he also stated that its ability to attack land and sea targets was slightly inferior to the F/A-18E/F; it is also stated that its electronic equipment meets the standards of those on a fifth-generation fighter . ^[38]

J-15 is capable of operating on the aircraft carrier Liaoning and her sister ship Shandong . The carriers have two launch positions. The waist position has a runway length of 195 m, and the two forward positions have a runway length of 105 m. The take-off weight of the J-15 depends on the launch position and carrier speed. For ship speed at 28 knots, J-15's maximum take-off weight is 33 tons (with 9 tons of internal fuel and a 6.5-ton external payload) for the waist position. The maximum weight is 28 tons (9-ton internal fuel and 1.5-ton external payload) for the forward position. However, when the carrier moves at 20 knots, MTOW at the waist position is reduced to 31 tons. ^[1] With the introduction of aircraft carrier Fujian and J-15B, MTOW will maintain at 33 ton at any launch position and ship speed.

Operational history [ edit ]

On November 25, 2012, Chinese media announced that two J-15s had made successful arrested landings on the Liaoning aircraft carrier. ^{[39] [40] [41]} The first pilot to land on Liaoning was named as Dai Mingmeng (戴明盟). ^[42] Luo Yang , the aircraft's head of production and designer, died the same day. ^[43] PLA Daily newspaper indicated that the first five naval pilots (including Dai) conducted J-15 fighter landings and takeoffs. Test and training program officials confirmed the carrier-borne aircraft and special equipment for the landing flight had gone through strict tests, and fighter jets can be deployed on the carrier. ^[44]

In December 2013, Chinese media reported that mass production of J-15s in full operational condition with combat markings had begun. ^[45]

In January 2017, the carrier Liaoning , having returned to the South China Sea after its first deployment into the Western Pacific , conducted a series of take-off and landing drills with its squadron of embarked J-15 fighters. ^[46]

In July 2018, Lieutenant General Zhang Honghe of the PLAAF stated that China was developing a new carrier-based aircraft to replace the J-15 due to its two crashes and a series of “unpardonable mechanical failures”. One problem with the aircraft is that it is the heaviest carrier-borne fighter in current operation anywhere, with an empty weight of 17,500 kg (38,600 lb) compared to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's 14,600 kg (though it is less than the F-14 Tomcat 's weight of 19,800 kg). Weight problems are compounded when operating off Liaoning , as its STOBAR launch and recovery method further limits payload capacity. ^{[47] [48]}

Accidents [ edit ]

• In April 2016, a J-15 crashed into the ocean after experiencing a flight control system failure. The pilot, Cao Xianjian, ejected shortly before impact, below the altitude needed for the parachute to function; he was severely injured upon landing. ^[49]
• On 27 April 2016, a J-15 crashed during a simulated landing when a flight control system malfunction caused the aircraft to pitch up to 80 degrees. The pilot, Zhang Chao, ejected below the altitude needed for the parachute to function; he died from injuries sustained upon landing. ^[50]
• In July 2017, ^[51] a J-15 suffered a left engine fire after ingesting a bird shortly after takeoff. The pilot, Yuan Wei, with the aid of instructions from air traffic controllers, performed an emergency landing and ground crews extinguished the fire. ^[52]

Variants [ edit ]

• J-15 ( NATO reporting name Flanker-X2 ): ^{[53] [3]} Single-seat variant. ^[22]
• J-15S  : Two-seat variant, first flown in 2012. ^{[53] [22]}
• J-15T ( Flanker-X2 ): CATOBAR operation prototypes, first seen in September 2016. Two were built. ^{[23] [24]}
• J-15D ( Flanker-X2 ): Two-seat electronic warfare variant with EW pods and other electronic equipment installed and IRST sensor removed. ^[22] Begun operational testing in December 2018. ^{[23] [54]}
• J-15B : Improved J-15 incorporating CATOBAR launch capability from J-15T, fitted with modern fifth-generation avionics, AESA radar, new airframes, stealth coatings, and compatibility to launch PL-10 and PL-15 missiles. In flight testing. ^{[25] [26]}

Operators [ edit ]

  People's Republic of China

• People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force - 60 units in service as of 2022. ^[2]
  • Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning
  • Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong
  • Lingshui Air Base ^[55]

Specifications (estimated) [ edit ]

Data from Military Factory : Shenyang J-15 (Flying Shark) - Development and Operational History, Performance Specifications and Picture Gallery ^{[56] [57]}

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 or 2
• Length: 22.28 m (73 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 15.0 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Width: 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) wings folded
• Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 67.84 m ² (730.2 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 17,500 kg (38,581 lb)
• Gross weight: 27,000 kg (59,525 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 32,500 kg (71,650 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 9,500 kg internal
• Powerplant: 2 × Saturn AL-31 ^[58] afterburning turbofans, 122.6 kN (27,600 lbf) with afterburner
• Powerplant: 2 × WS-10B ^[28] afterburning turbofans, 89.17 ^[59]  kN (20,050 lbf) thrust each dry, 135 ^{[28] [60] [61]}  kN (30,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 2.4
• Ferry range: 3,500 km (2,200 mi, 1,900 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
• Thrust/weight : 0.93 with AL-31 (1.01-1.07 with WS-10B)

Armament

• 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds
• Munitions on twelve external hardpoints with a capacity of 6,500 kg, ^[62] including:
  • PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile (J-15B)
  • PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missile ^[63]
  • PL-10 short-range air-to-air missile
  • PL-8 short-range air-to-air missile ^[63]
  • YJ-83K anti-ship missile ^[63]
  • KD-88 standoff land attack missile ^[62]
  • YJ-91 anti-radiation missile ^[63]
  • Various bombs and rockets
  • UPAZ-1A buddy refueling pod

Avionics

• Type 1493 radar ^[63]
  • J-15D and J-15B claimed to have AESA radar ^[64]
• MIL-STD-1553B bi-directional data bus
• Glass cockpit
• LCD screen
• 4-redundant 3-axis fly by wire

See also [ edit ]

• Fourth-generation jet fighter

Related development

• Shenyang J-11B
• Shenyang J-16
• Sukhoi Su-33

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
• Boeing EA-18G Growler
• Mikoyan MiG-29K
• Rafale M

References [ edit ]

Citations

External links [ edit ]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shenyang J-15 .

• J15 Naval Carrier Based Fighter, PLA Navy , J-15 fighter photos and introductions, AirForceWorld.com
• Chinese Military Aviation
• Flying Sharks , a J-15 fighter video.