China Unveils Upgraded J-15 Fighter Jet... Expected to Operate on Caterpillar Aircraft Carrier

Application of cutting-edge equipment including radar dome modification for AESAR radar installation
Utilized as carrier-based aircraft with FC-31 stealth fighter on the 3rd aircraft carrier

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China has unveiled an upgraded version of the carrier-based fighter jet 'J-15.'

Photo by Sinamang Capture

Chinese media reported on the 17th that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), a major Chinese fighter jet manufacturer, revealed the upgraded J-15 fighter jet on WeChat (China's version of Twitter) on the 21st.

The J-15 is a fighter jet modeled after the Russian Sukhoi (S)-33 and has been criticized for its low engine output. For this reason, China has been working to improve the J-15's performance by equipping it with the domestically developed 'WS-15H turbofan' engine.

The Global Times reported that the unveiled upgraded J-15 fighter jet is designed to operate not only on older aircraft carriers but also on new ones, and that the upgraded J-15 will play a key role as a carrier-based aircraft. This means the upgraded J-15 will be operated on new aircraft carriers equipped with an electromagnetic catapult launch system.

China currently has the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers, which use a ski-jump launch system, deployed in active service, and is constructing a third aircraft carrier. The third carrier, expected to be unveiled around 2024, is reported to be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system that addresses the shortcomings of the ski-jump method.

The Global Times also analyzed that the wings of the upgraded J-15 are of the same type as those on the J-16 bomber. This implies that it can carry the short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile (Sidewinder missile) known as the 'PL-10.'

The media also reported changes to the radar dome of the upgraded J-15, explaining that it has been modified to accommodate an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar in the future. With the AESA radar installed, the upgraded J-15 will be able to use China's most advanced missile, the 'PL-15.'

The PL-15 missile, equipped with advanced electronic countermeasure resistance, is known to have an effective range of 150 km. It is mainly used to intercept bombers, aerial refueling tankers, early warning aircraft, and stealth aircraft at long distances.

The infrared search and track (IRST) equipment has also been newly applied, according to the report.

Within China, there is an assessment that the upgraded J-15 will serve as a supporting force for the second-generation Chinese stealth carrier-based fighter (FC-31), which is expected to be deployed in the future. The FC-31 is known to have specifications similar to the American F-35 and has not yet been deployed in active service.

Chinese media expressed great pride in their domestic fighter jet manufacturing technology, stating that although the upgraded J-15 is a fourth-generation aircraft, it possesses performance beyond that generation.