China Unveils 'J-16D' Equipped with Electronic Warfare Pod

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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China's multi-role fighter jet 'Jian-16 (J-16)' equipped with an electronic warfare pod, the upgraded 'J-16D' fighter, will be unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow.

According to Chinese media including China Central Television (CCTV) on the 23rd, the J-16D fighter, one of China's main combat aircraft, will be exhibited at the 13th Zhuhai Airshow (China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition) held at the Zhuhai International Airshow Center in Guangdong Province from the 28th of this month to the 3rd of next month.

Photo by Global Times capture

The J-16D model to be unveiled this time is known to be equipped with electronic equipment capable of jamming radar on the J-16 fighter jet.

Huanqiu Shibao, citing military experts, reported that the J-16D fighter is equipped with two electronic warfare pods on its wings. The main role of the electronic warfare pods is to neutralize enemy radar through powerful radio wave jamming, the media explained. It added that some equipment, such as the infrared search sensor mounted on the front, was removed to accommodate the electronic warfare pods. This means that the J-16D fighter has been modified to be suitable for air-to-ground combat rather than air-to-air combat. It also implies that the aircraft is designed to jam radar, approach aircraft carriers, and then conduct bombing, indicating that the J-16D is both a carrier-based aircraft and a strike fighter.

Huanqiu Shibao further explained that the J-16D model is similar to the U.S. military's 'EA-18G Growler' fighter. The EA-18G fighter is a strike fighter and carrier-based aircraft developed based on the 'F-18 Super Hornet.' The EA-18G Growler is famous for jamming electronic waves and then bombing targets after approaching them. Since its main purpose is bombing rather than air combat, it is not equipped with 20mm cannons or similar armaments.

Accordingly, the J-16D fighter appears to have benchmarked the EA-18G Growler operated by the U.S. Navy, and it is presumed to be a J-16 fighter, which is a strike fighter version of the existing J-11, equipped with electronic warfare equipment.

Photo by China Military Online Capture

Chinese media including Huanqiu Shibao did not mention specific specifications of the J-16D but expect it to be similar to the existing J-16 model. The J-16 fighter is known to have a maximum speed of Mach 2.0, a maximum range of 3,900 km, and a maximum takeoff weight of 35,000 kg.

Huanqiu Shibao added that the J-16D fighter is equipped with an engine developed domestically by China, in addition to the electronic warfare pods.

Huanqiu Shibao also reported that the J-16D fighter bears the emblem of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), indicating that this fighter has already been deployed in actual combat.

Previously, Huanqiu Shibao reported that a modified aerial refueling tanker based on China's Y-20 large transport aircraft might be unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow. The Y-20, known to have benchmarked the U.S. military's C-17 transport aircraft, reportedly has an average operational range of 7,800 km and a maximum payload capacity of 66 tons.

China is expected to showcase a large number of advanced weapons, including its fighter jets, at the biennial Zhuhai Airshow to demonstrate that it possesses military power comparable to that of the United States.