China Talks Up J-15, J-10B Fighters

Two J-10 fighters at the Zhuhai Airshow on Nov. 5, 2008. (Photo Xinhua)

November 13, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

New J-10 Shows Comprehensive Rather Than Partial Improvements

(Source: People's Daily Online; published Nov. 12, 2013)

On November 6th Zhang Jigao, deputy chief designer of the J-10 fighter, spoke about the improved model J-10 publicly for the first time in the AVIC flight test center. Zhang Jigao told People's Daily Online reporters that the overall performance of the J-10 will be comprehensively improved in areas such as aerodynamic layout, mission system, and the approach to maintenance.

In March 2009, pictures of our improved model J-10 fighters appeared for the first time on the Internet, and netizens quickly began to call it the "J-10B".

Over the last five 5 years, several images of the test J-10B have appeared online, attracting widespread attention from netizens, military enthusiasts, and even foreign media.

U.S. military expert Richard Fisher recently pointed out that the J-10B is a so-called "fourth and a half" generation fighter equipped with modern airborne technology and an advanced radar system, which is about to be delivered to the PLA Air Force.

Zhang Jigao disputed the term "fourth and a half" generation. In contrast, he suggested that the current international criteria to classify generations are more applicable.

He pointed out that single combat is rare in modern warfare, and that the majority of cases now involve system combat and network operations, so that the combat capabilities of a fighter depend on many factors. "This does not mean that the optimization of an aircraft's radar, avionics, and missile detection ranges are bound to improvements in operational performance."

Zhang Jigao added that further improvements to the performance of the J10 would focus on the aircraft's aerodynamic layout and mission systems, and the approach to maintenance. "Aircraft development requires constant optimization and improvement," he said, "and our modifications will be comprehensive rather than being confined to a specific area." (ends)

Chief Designer Discusses J-15 Shipborne Aircraft's Performance Modifications

(Source: People's Daily Online; published Nov. 12, 2013)

On November 6th, the 5th media day of AVIC, Wang Yongqing, chief designer of J-15 revealed that special design features have been applied to the J-15 in accordance with its deployment on aircraft carriers, in order to achieve the special requirements of shipborne aircraft.

Wang Yongqing, chief designer of the J-15 shipborne aircraft, explained to the media that the J-15 shipborne aircraft series no. 555 was a very important machine, although it had attracted limited media attention.

The J-15 is China's first generation shipborne fighter, developed on the basis of the J-11. Particular attention has been given to the special requirements of shipborne aircraft, in addition to the guarantee of its combat capabilities.

"This means addressing issues of how to take off, land, maneuver and conduct maintenance on board the aircraft carrier." Wang Yongqing pointed out that there are tremendous differences in the way that shipborne aircraft take off and land on an aircraft carrier and on the ground. Correspondingly, there are considerable differences in the overall design of the J-15 compared to the J-11 series.

As China's first shipborne fighter, the J-15 has excellent sea-air combat capability, and is equipped with a variety of air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea attack weapons. Its comprehensive combat capability has reached an internationally advanced level which reflects the extraordinary technical achievements of China's aviation industry.

We can conclude from the appearance of J-15 that special features have been added to its front wings, aerodynamics, and wing area, and to its airframe equipment used in takeoff and landing.

The takeoff and landing equipment of the J-15 are more robust than that of the J-11 series. According to Wang Yongqing, this is because the forces experienced by a shipborne aircraft while landing on an aircraft carrier are 4 times those experienced during a ground landing. In addition, the J-15 shipborne aircraft is also equipped with hook arrestment gear for the purpose of landing on aircraft carriers.