Engineering:Shenyang J-16

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Short description: Chinese multirole strike fighter
J-16
PLAAF J-16 - 2.jpg
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

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]

Design and development

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

J-16 with WS-10 engines taking off

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 Royal Australian Air Force 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

J-16D with electronic warfare pods on display
  • 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

 People's Republic of China

Specifications

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 Armament

Avionics

  • AESA radar[1]
  • IRST[1]
  • EW pods(J-16D)

See also

  • 4.5 generation fighter

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Bronk, page 38
  2. ↑ "J-16 total production". 8 November 2022. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/11/08/display-at-zhuhai-airshow-reveals-info-on-chinas-j-20-j-16-inventory/. 
  3. ↑ Office of the Secretary of Defense. "China Military Power 2021". p. 80. https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/03/2002885874/-1/-1/0/2021-CMPR-FINAL.PDF. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Liu, Zhen (4 August 2018). "China's new J-16 advanced fighter jet 'targeting Taiwan' may soon be combat ready". https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2158212/chinas-new-j-16-advanced-fighter-jet-targeting-taiwan. 
  5. ↑ Bronk, page 37
  6. ↑ "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.". https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=1157. 
  7. ↑ Fisher, Richard (27 May 2015). "ANALYSIS: Can China break the military aircraft engine bottleneck?". http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-can-china-break-the-military-aircraft-engine-412424/. 
  8. ↑ Hollings, Alex (2 February 2019). "China says a new paint job just turned its J-16 into a 'near-stealth' fighter". https://sofrep.com/news/china-says-a-new-paint-job-just-turned-its-j-16-into-a-near-stealth-fighter/. 
  9. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (30 November 2017). "China's New J-16D Aircraft Might Have a Terrifying New Military Capability". https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/chinas-new-j-16d-aircraft-might-have-terrifying-new-military-23427. 
  10. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (11 November 2020). "PLAAF J-16 fighter pilots seen using new helmet". https://www.janes.com/amp/plaaf-j-16-fighter-pilots-seen-using-new-helmet/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Fisher, Richard D. Jr (23 December 2015). "Possible J-16 EW variant makes its first flight". http://www.janes.com/article/56855/possible-j-16-ew-variant-makes-its-first-flight. 
  12. ↑ DUBOIS, GASTÓN (27 September 2021). "J-16D, China's SEAD aircraft seen as never before". https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/09/j-16d-chinas-sead-aircraft-seen-as-never-before/. 
  13. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (10 November 2020). "Why China's Latest Jets Are Surpassing Russia's Top Fighters". https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2020/11/10/why-chinas-latest-jets-are-surpassing-russias-top-fighters/?sh=4767e8e72e26. 
  14. ↑ "Russia Still Hopes to Sell More Su-35s to China — But Isn't Likely to Succeed". 12 September 2021. https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/Russia-hopes-sell-Su35s-to-China. 
  15. ↑ Rogoway, Tyler (2 July 2021). "Flanker Fighter Appears Among Unmanned Aircraft At China's Secretive Test Base". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/41386/flanker-fighter-appears-among-unmanned-aircraft-at-chinas-secretive-drone-test-base. 
  16. ↑ John Pike. "J-16 (Jianjiji-16 Fighter aircraft 16) / F-16". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/j-16.htm. 
  17. ↑ "Chinese Air Force Takes Delivery of New J-16 Strike Fighters". 8 May 2014. http://www.popsci.com/blog-network/eastern-arsenal/chinese-air-force-takes-delivery-new-j-16-strike-fighters. 
  18. ↑ Dominguez, Gabriel; Rupprecht, Andreas (8 November 2021). "Chinese air force deploying recently unveiled J-16D in combat training". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/chinese-air-force-deploying-recently-unveiled-j-16d-in-combat-training. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Australia says China threatened plane over South China Sea". Associated Press News (Beijing). 5 June 2022. https://apnews.com/article/china-australia-south-sea-beijing-government-and-politics-a6c946ff902bcccbdddbbaaca260d0b9. 
  20. ↑ "Anthony Albanese protests China's fighter plane intercept". The Australian. 6 June 2022. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/anthony-albanese-protests-chinas-fighter-plane-intercept/news-story/3294d4f0912f06210aceb7b4276c492f. 
  21. ↑ "Federal government undeterred by China's 'intimidation' tactics" (video). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 June 2022. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-05/federal-government-undeterred-by-chinas/13916020. 
  22. ↑ "China accuses Australia and Canada of 'disinformation' over jet encounters" (in en). Beijing. 2022-06-07. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/07/china-accuses-australia-canada-jet-encounters. 
  23. ↑ Layton, Peter (6 Jun 2022). "A flare up in China's deliberate pattern of aggression". The Interpreter (Lowy Institute). https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/flare-china-s-deliberate-pattern-aggression. 
  24. ↑ Waldron, Greg (4 October 2017). "J-16 is China's go-to fighter in Taiwan aerial incursions". https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/j-16-is-chinas-go-to-fighter-in-taiwan-aerial-incursions/145755.article. 
  25. ↑ Finnerty, Ryan (19 August 2022). "Why Pelosi's Taipei visit triggered Beijing's military". https://www.flightglobal.com/flight-international/why-pelosis-taipei-visit-triggered-beijings-military/149894.article. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Liebermann, Oren; Britzky, Haley (2023-05-31). "US says Chinese jet conducted 'unnecessarily aggressive maneuver' intercepting US spy plane over South China Sea". CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/30/politics/china-fighter-jet-south-china-sea/index.html. Retrieved 2023-11-20. 
  27. ↑ "Zhuhai Airshow display reveals info on China's J-20, J-16 inventory". 8 November 2022. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/11/08/display-at-zhuhai-airshow-reveals-info-on-chinas-j-20-j-16-inventory/. 
  28. ↑ 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 zh-hant). 亞洲週刊. https://www.yzzk.com/article/details/中華天地/2022-47/1668657342100/珠海航展逆市高飛%E3%80%80軍事肌肉秀展現信心. 
  29. ↑ Kadidal, Akhil; Narayanan, Prasobh (25 November 2022). "China's J-15 naval jet appears with indigenous WS-10 engines". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/chinas-j-15-naval-jet-appears-with-indigenous-ws-10-engines. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 International Institute for Strategic Studies (2018). "Chinese and Russian air-launched weapons: a test for Western air dominance". https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2018/mb2018-01-essays-1. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Rupprecht, Andreas (18 February 2020). "Images show PLAAF J-16 armed with YJ-83K anti-ship missile". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/images-show-plaaf-j-16-armed-with-yj-83k-anti-ship-missile. 
  32. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas. Modern Chinese Warplanes - Chinese Air Force. Harpia Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-9973092-6-3. 

Bibliography



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