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On April 26, Xinhua, the mouthpiece of the communist regime, published an article to commemorate a Chinese carrier-based J-15 fighter jet pilot, who died in an accident as a result of his jet’s electronic control system malfunctioning during a landing; the article inadvertently revealed the weakness of the carrier’s combat capabilities. There have always been doubts about the true capability of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) aircraft carriers and their carrier-based J-15 pilot training. This unprecedented report appears more of an attempt to restore public confidence, as the CCP’s media rarely publicizes such accidents involving the military. In fact, the...

China is developing a new fighter jet for aircraft carriers to replace its J-15s after a series of mechanical failures and crashes, as it tries to build up a blue-water navy that can operate globally, military experts and sources said. The J-15 was based on a prototype of the fourth-generation Russian Sukhoi Su-33 twin-engined air superiority fighter, a design that is more than 30 years old. It was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a unit of state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China. With a maximum take-off weight of 33 tonnes, the aircraft is the heaviest active carrier-based fighter jet in...

The variation in surface coloration of the fuselage suggests extensive modifications to the J-15 airframe. (Photo: via Chinese search engine, sohu.com) Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) of China is developing the J-15D, a dedicated carrier-borne electronic warfare fighter. New photographs of the J-15D with jamming pods and primer coating were circulating the Internet in early May, with Chinese observers dubbing the airplane the "China Growler" or "Growler Shark" after the J-15 Flying Shark. A similar capability was tested on the land-based tandem-seat Shenyang J-16 in 2015, with the designation J-16D. The J-16 is based on the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKK, with active...

J-15 Emergency Landing with Engine Fire after Bird Strike

China’s second home-grown aircraft carrier could be a world-class warship if it uses a domestically developed hi-tech launch system, but the hefty fighter jets it would have to launch remain a fly in the ointment for the country’s naval power aspirations. While Beijing is narrowing the aircraft carrier technology gap with the United States, the country’s carrier programme is still hindered by the capabilities of its carrier-based warplanes. China spent more than a decade developing its first carrier-based fighter, the J-15, based on a prototype of a fourth-generation Russian Sukhoi Su-33 twin-engined air superiority fighter – a design that is...

China's aircraft carrier, the rebuilt Kuznetsov class Liaoning, and its battle group are prowling their way towards Southeast Asia ahead of a much anticipated inaugural and very high-profile visit to Hong Kong. The carrier's port call, which will be yet another major symbol of China's rapidly increasingly military and geopolitical might in the region, is part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the country's reclaiming of the territory from the British Crown. The armada passed through the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, an operation that causes anxieties to soar in Taipei. Fighters and maritime patrol aircraft scrambled from the island...

<p>Chinese media has revealed that the new Chinese aircraft carrier will be able to dock 36 Jian-15 fighters [J-15].</p> <p>According to Chinese news portal Sina, “At the moment, the aircraft carrier being prepared for launch is optimized in terms of load which compared to the Liaoning aircraft carrier can reach from 28 to 36 units of J-15 fighters.” Currently, the Chinese Navy arsenal consists of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, created on the basis of the Soviet cruiser Varyag. Liaoning can base 24 J-15 fighters.</p>

New imagery shows that the China's carrier borne fighter, the J-15, will receive major upgrades, which point to gains in not just China's engine making but overall carrier fleet. Chinese Military Aviation The Original Article The initial J-15s, derived from the Soviet Su-33, had lighter landing gears (see the nosewheel) and Russian made AL-31 turbofan engines. The J-15 is derived from the Russian Su-33 (itself developed from the Su-27 fighter), is currently in limited production by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is used by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on its sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. Chinese Internet J-15A The...

Mainland state media confirmed for the first time yesterday that a home-grown, carrier-based J-15 jet fighter crashed during training in April. The crash could deal a blow to the development of the fighter jet and cast a shadow over the PLA Navy’s blue sea strategy and aircraft carrier programme. J-15s are the core jet fighters for the mainland’s aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, and other more advanced domestic carriers reportedly under construction. At the critical moment, Zhang tried his best to save the aircraft. When the pushrods failed, he ejected and died as a result of an injury on landingCNR REPORT...

The Shenyang J-15, China's first carrier-based fighter designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has entered mass production and has been received by various units of the PLA Navy Air Force, the Beijing-based Sina Military Network reported on Dec. 3. Citing a video clip released by Shenzhen Satellite Television, the Sina Military Network stated that the original yellow paint on the fuselage of J-15 had been replaced by light grey. In addition, a logo of a Flying Shark — a nickname for the aircraft — can be seen on the its tail. On the nose of four of the J-15 fighters shown...

During its three-week exercise in open seas, Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier was able to launch three Shenyang J-15 fighters simultaneously from its flight deck according to an article written by Greg Waldron for Flightglobal, a UK-based news and information website related to the aviation and aerospace industries. Waldron said the Liaoning has a total of three jet blast deflectors. While two parallel deflectors are located immediately forward of the island superstructure, a third is located closer to the stern of the ship. With all three positions fully operational, the aircraft carrier is capable of launching three J-15s from its...

No match for a U.S. Hornet: “China’s Navy J-15 more a flopping fish than a flying shark” Chinese media say Even if some analysts compared it to the F/A-18 Hornet, the Shenyang J-15 “Flying Shark” may not be the powerful and deadly threat to the U.S. Navy Air Power in the Pacific. Indeed, in spite of the recent claims that it had succesfully achieved full-load take off and landing on the Liaoning aircraft carrier, the China’s embarked plane may not be able to operate from Beijing’s first supercarrier. According to the Sina Military Network, that has (weirdly) criticized the Flyng...

Experts' comparative analysis of performance between J-15 and U.S. F-18 The J-15 belongs to the 4th generation of conventional shipboard aircraft, which also includes the U.S. navy's F/A-18C/D "Hornet" and F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet", the French "Rafale M", and the Russian Mig-29K which is also used by the Indian navy. According to Zheng Wenhao, military expert of Xinhua News Agency, the J-15 has the best supersonic performance among the fighters mentioned above, and is especially strong in air control and air-to-air intercept; its low-altitude and low-speed performances are slightly inferior to those of the "Hornet" family, but are better than those...

China fighter designer compares J-15 to F/A-18 Hornet The chief designer of the Shenyang J-15 fighter has compared the aircraft to the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, and suggests that the developmental J-31 could one day serve aboard Chinese aircraft carriers. In an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Chinese aircraft designer Sun Cong said that the J-15 is "generally close to the US F/A-18, reaching world class standards". He adds that the J-15 could have a combat radius of over 1,000km (540nm) if powered by domestic engines. This comment could corroborate reports that the J-15s conducting flight tests aboard the...

China's J-15 fighter superior to Russian Su-33 (People's Daily Online) On Nov. 25, 2012, China's carrier-borne J-15 fighter jet has successfully undergone a series of sailing and technological tests on the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, marking a great success of the carrier-borne fighter jet independently developed by China and a major breakthrough in the development of aircraft carrier technology. The J-15 is equipped with two high-power engines and a brand-new system of high lift device, takeoff and landing device and arrester hook. Its wing can be folded up to both maintain the excellent combat capability and meet the special...

The Next Chapter of China's Defense China's military ambitions are now aided by the landing of its first fighter jet on an aircraft carrier. The WSJ's Jeremy Page discusses what this means for the country's defense strategy.

BEIJING (TheBlaze/AP) — Just as it has had many firsts recently with its space program efforts, China has successfully completed another first for its naval aspirations. The country landed its first fighter jet on its first aircraft carrier, which entered service two months ago, the country’s official news agency confirmed Sunday

China conducts flight landing on aircraft carrier LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has successfully conducted flight landing on its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, naval sources said. A new J-15 fighter jet was used as part of the landing exercise. After its delivery to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sept. 25, the aircraft carrier has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15. Capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility, the PLA Navy said. Since the carrier...

China’s J-15 No Game Changer June 23, 2011By Gabe Collins & Andrew Erickson The Chinese military's J-15 Flying Shark fighter is no great leap forward. Still, it suggests blue-water ambitions. Following is a guest entry from Gabe Collins and Andrew Erickson, co-founders of China Sign Post. Gen. Chen Bingde, Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has reportedly said that, for the first time, a Chinese ‘aircraft carrier is under construction.’ China is also already preparing the refitted ski-jump carrier Varyag, purchased from Ukraine in 1998, to go to sea. Given these developments, it seems a good time...

Chinese Carrier Lacks Fighters May 5, 2011 By David Axe If China's navy wants to undertake real long-range operations, its new aircraft carrier will need a more diverse air wing. As noted by Douglas Paal here over the weekend, in recent weeks, the Chinese navy has taken big steps toward deploying its first aircraft carrier, underscoring the nation's rapid ascent as a world power. Twelve years after Beijing purchased the incomplete Russian aircraft carrier Varyag, the 60,000-ton vessel — renamed Shi Lang — is reportedly on track to begin sea trials this summer. Shi Lang's first planes are nearly ready,...