J-15 better than U.S. F/A-18 in terms of air action, slightly inferior in terms of attack against sea targets

Email|Print|Comments       twitter     facebook     Sina Microblog     reddit    

Recently, many keen military observers have noted that the J-15 shown on CCTV news is coated in a sea-grey paint finish, and carries the navy flag under the rear part of the cabin. There is speculation that this may be the model released for mass production. Yin Zhuo also said that the air combat capabilities of the J-15 carrier-based aircraft were better than those of the main U.S. carrier-based aircraft, the F/A-18 "Super Hornet".

The J-15 has integrated the technology of the J-11B with carrier-based features such as canard, folding wings, and tailhook. Its undercarriage has high strength, and the front wheel is suitable for catapult launch similar to the carrier-based fighter of the U.S. navy. The catapult launch was taken into consideration at the beginning of its design.

According to media reports, the J-15 is the first generation Chinese carrier-based fighter with outstanding capabilities in attack and defense, excellent maneuverability, and strong capability to attack targets on land or sea. It is able to seek out and destroy large mobile enemy targets on sea. The J-15 fighter is equipped with 30mm machine guns, and is able to carry a supersonic anti-ship missile, the YJ-62 long-range anti-ship missile, the PL-8/9 short-range air-to-air missile, the PL-12 active radar homing long-range air-to-air missile, and the "Thunder Stone" series of gliding guided bombs.

According to the analysis of military experts, since the J-15 is newly-developed, its electronic equipment is very likely to be one generation ahead of the J-11, and is definitely far superior to the Su-33, which is equipped with lagging inverse Cassegrain antenna. It is very likely that the J-15 carries electronic equipment that meets the standards of a fifth generation fighter, and reaches the level of the U.S. F/A-18E/F in this respect.

In terms of its performance compared to other carrier-based aircraft in service around the world, Yin Zhuo said that the J-15 capabilities are high. For instance, it reaches a similar level to the U.S. F/A-18C/D "Super Hornet". While overall it is slightly inferior to the F/A-18E/F, it has better performance in air combat. Its ability to attack land and sea-based targets is lower than the F/A-18E/F, but it is at least equal to, and perhaps slightly better than, India's Mig-29K.

• Experts' comparative analysis of performance between J-15 and U.S. F-18
• China's aircraft carrier returns to port after 25-day test
• China's carrier-borne jet pilots receive certification
• J-15 fighter jet fastened on aircraft carrier
• Taking-off, landing exercises of J-15 fighter jets on Liaoning
• Photos of China's carrier fighter J-15
• J-31 may become China's next generation carrier-borne fighter jet
• J-15 fighter able to attack over 1,000 km
• Expert: Jet's landing on the Liaoning marks four breakthroughs
• China's J-15 fighter superior to Russian Su-33

We Recommend

• DPRK holds military parade to mark 65th founding anniv.
• Highlights of MAKS 2013 Int'l Aviation and Space Show
• 10th China-ASEAN Expo opens in Nanning
• Eagle Boy takes to sky to break another record
• 12-year-old boy becomes pillar of the family
• Eye-gouged boy receives blind rehabilitation in Shanxi
• Top 10 naked hotels in the world
• The most gorgeous Chinese women in the eyes of foreigners
• A collection of bizarre rooftop buildings around China