Shenyang J-16
The Shenyang J-16 (Chinese: 歼-16 潜龙) is a Chinese advanced fourth-generation,[3] tandem-seat, twinjet, multirole strike fighter[4][1] developed from the Shenyang J-11 (itself derived from the Sukhoi Su-27) and built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).[4]
| J-16 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Multirole strike fighter |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Manufacturer | Shenyang Aircraft Corporation |
| Introduction | 2015[1] |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| Produced | 2014–present |
| Number built | 245+[2] |
| Developed from | Shenyang J-11 |
Design and development edit
In the 1990s, China purchased Sukhoi Su-27 air superiority fighters from Russia, including those license-produced in China as the Shenyang J-11A.[5] The J-11A was further developed into the J-11B single seat and BS twin seat variant with indigenous technology. The J-16 is a strike fighter derived from the J-11BS model.[6]
The J-16 is equipped with an AESA radar[1] and is powered by two Chinese Shenyang WS-10A turbofan engines.[7] Weight is reduced through greater use of composite materials.[1] J-16 units have received radar-absorbent paint to reduce its radar signature,[8] and enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) capability in conjunction with electronic support measures pods.[9]
The cockpit is fitted with helmet-mounted display (HMD) system to improve pilot's situational awareness.[10]
The electronic warfare version of the fighter, named J-16D, was developed in 2010s. The aircraft reportedly made its first flight in 2015.[11] J-16D is designed to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD), capable of housing internal jamming equipment and carrying various external electronic warfare pods.[12]
According to aviation researcher Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute, J-16 holds advantages over Russian Flanker variants with its wide application of composite materials, longer range missiles, advanced sensors, and avionics. J-16 represents a transition by the Chinese aviation industry away from a past dependence on Russian technology towards developing modern derivatives that are superior to the Russian originals in many aspects.[13][14]
The Chinese military is developing advanced autonomous capabilities for its combat aircraft. In March 2021, it was reported that a J-16 variant with the backseat co-pilot replaced by an artificial intelligence algorithm called "intelligence victory" (Chinese: 智胜; pinyin: Zhì shèng) was undergoing testing at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. A similar aircraft was also spotted by satellite image at an experimental test base near Malan, Xinjiang in June 2021.[15]
Operational history edit
The first flight is believed to have occurred in 2011–2012.[16]
In April 2014, the PLAAF received a regiment of J-16s.[17]
The J-16 entered service in 2015[1] and was officially revealed in 2017 during the People's Liberation Army's 90th anniversary parade.[4]
In 2021, Chinese Air Force began inducting J-16D in combat training.[18]
According to the Australian Department of Defence, on 26 May 2022 a J-16 intercepted a RAAF P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea while the latter was "conducting routine maritime surveillance operations" over international waters.[19] The newly elected Australian defence minister Richard Marles said that the J-16 first flew closely alongside the P-8, released flares and then flew in front of the P-8 where it released chaff into the flight path, of which some were ingested by the P-8's engine.[19] The Australian Government lodged a protest with the Chinese Government over the incident and Marles said that Australia would not be deterred from conducting operations of the same or a similar nature in the future.[20][21] According to a Chinese defense ministry spokesman, the Australian pilots acted "dangerously and provocatively," and ignored repeated warnings before the J-16 drove the Australian aircraft away.[22] An article by the Lowy Institute, an Australian thinktank, said the interception marked an escalation in the grey zone actions that China was using to enforce its claims in the South China Sea.[23]
Out of all aircraft deployed in the Taiwan strait, J-16 fighters are the most frequently used, possibly due to its electronic warfare capabilities.[24] In August 2022, China dispatched large amount of J-16 fighters to the Taiwan strait, in response to the Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit.[25]
On May 26, 2023, a J-16 fighter made a fly-by cutting directly in front of the nose of a RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft over South China Sea, forcing the American plane to fly through its jet wash. The RC-135 was conducting "safe and routine operations" in international airspace according to United States Indo-Pacific Command.[26] The PLA stated in response the following day that the American spy aircraft "deliberately intruded" into China's military training area. The Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the American assertion of aggressive behavior and accused the US of posing a "serious danger" to China by frequently deploying reconnaissance aircraft and vessels to China, and spokesperson Mao Ning said during a regular briefing, "The US's provocative and dangerous moves are the root cause of maritime security issues. China urges the US to stop such dangerous provocations... China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend its sovereignty and security."[26]
Variants edit
- J-16
- J-16D: Electronic warfare variant. Equipped with wingtip EW pods; internal EW system replaces IRST and 30 mm cannon.[1] Reportedly first flew in December 2015.[11]
Operators edit
- People's Liberation Army Air Force – 245+ aircraft as of 2022[27]
Specifications edit
Data from [citation needed]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2[4]
- Empty weight: 17,700 kg (39,022 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Shenyang WS-10B[28] afterburning turbofans, 135[29] kN (30,000 lbf) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2[30]
Armament
- 1 × 30 mm cannon[1]
- Munitions on 12 external hardpoints, including:[4]
- Air-to-air missiles[4]
- Anti-ship missiles[4]
- Air-to-surface missile
- Rockets[4]
- Guided bombs[4]
- LS-500J Laser guided bomb[33]
- Anti-radiation missiles[4]
- YINGS-III targeting pod[1]
Avionics
See also edit
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Dassault Rafale
- Eurofighter
- F-15EX Eagle II
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- Sukhoi Su-34
- Sukhoi Su-35S
Related lists
References edit
Citations edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bronk, page 38
- ^ "J-16 total production". 8 November 2022.
- ^ Office of the Secretary of Defense. "China Military Power 2021" (PDF). p. 80.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Liu, Zhen (4 August 2018). . South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Bronk, page 37
- ^ "Based in the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKK, the Shenyang J-16 is an all-modern multirole fighter-bomber introduced for service by China during 2013". Military Factory.
- ^ Fisher, Richard (27 May 2015). . FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
- ^ Hollings, Alex (2 February 2019). "China says a new paint job just turned its J-16 into a 'near-stealth' fighter". sofrep.
- ^ Roblin, Sebastien (30 November 2017). "China's New J-16D Aircraft Might Have a Terrifying New Military Capability". National Interest.
- ^ Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (11 November 2020). "PLAAF J-16 fighter pilots seen using new helmet". Janes.
- ^ a b Fisher, Richard D. Jr (23 December 2015). . IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ DUBOIS, GASTÓN (27 September 2021). "J-16D, China's SEAD aircraft seen as never before". aviacionline.
- ^ Roblin, Sebastien (10 November 2020). "Why China's Latest Jets Are Surpassing Russia's Top Fighters". Forbes.
- ^ "Russia Still Hopes to Sell More Su-35s to China — But Isn't Likely to Succeed". militarywatchmagazine. 12 September 2021.
- ^ Rogoway, Tyler (2 July 2021). "Flanker Fighter Appears Among Unmanned Aircraft At China's Secretive Test Base".
- ^ John Pike. "J-16 (Jianjiji-16 Fighter aircraft 16) / F-16". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ "Chinese Air Force Takes Delivery of New J-16 Strike Fighters". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
- ^ Dominguez, Gabriel; Rupprecht, Andreas (8 November 2021). "Chinese air force deploying recently unveiled J-16D in combat training". Janes.
- ^ a b "Australia says China threatened plane over South China Sea". Associated Press News. Beijing. 5 June 2022.
- ^ "Anthony Albanese protests China's fighter plane intercept". The Australian. 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Federal government undeterred by China's 'intimidation' tactics" (video). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 June 2022.
- ^ "China accuses Australia and Canada of 'disinformation' over jet encounters". The Guardian. Beijing. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
- ^ Layton, Peter (6 Jun 2022). "A flare up in China's deliberate pattern of aggression". The Interpreter. Lowy Institute.
- ^ Waldron, Greg (4 October 2017). "J-16 is China's go-to fighter in Taiwan aerial incursions". FlightGlobal.
- ^ Finnerty, Ryan (19 August 2022). "Why Pelosi's Taipei visit triggered Beijing's military". Flight Global.
- ^ a b Liebermann, Oren; Britzky, Haley (2023-05-31). "US says Chinese jet conducted 'unnecessarily aggressive maneuver' intercepting US spy plane over South China Sea". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ^ "Zhuhai Airshow display reveals info on China's J-20, J-16 inventory". 8 November 2022.
- ^ 黃東 (2022-11-18). "珠海航展逆市高飛 軍事肌肉秀展現信心 （黃東）" (in Traditional Chinese). 亞洲週刊. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ Kadidal, Akhil; Narayanan, Prasobh (25 November 2022). "China's J-15 naval jet appears with indigenous WS-10 engines". Janes.
- ^ Defense Intelligence Agency of the United States (2019). (PDF) (Report). p. 88. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
- ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (2018). "Chinese and Russian air-launched weapons: a test for Western air dominance". Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ a b Rupprecht, Andreas (18 February 2020). "Images show PLAAF J-16 armed with YJ-83K anti-ship missile". Janes. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
- ^ Rupprecht, Andreas. Modern Chinese Warplanes - Chinese Air Force. Harpia Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-9973092-6-3.
Bibliography edit
- Bronk, Justin (October 2020). (PDF) (Report). Whitehall Report. Vol. 3–20. Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2020.