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Shenyang J-16

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J-16 Hidden Dragon
Role Multirole strike fighter
National origin People's Republic of China
Manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Introduction 2015/16[1]
Status In service
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced 2017–present
Number built 350 as of 2024
Developed from Shenyang J-11

The Shenyang J-16 Hidden Dragon (Chinese: 歼-16 潜龙, Pīnyīn: Jiān-16 Qián Lóng; NATO reporting name: Flanker-N[2]) is a Chinese all-weather 4.5 generation,[3] tandem-seat, twin-engine, multirole strike fighter[4][1] built by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). It is developed from the Shenyang J-11, the licensed production variant of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi Su-30.[4]

Design and development

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With the development of military aircraft during the turn of the century, the PLAAF found its JH-7 fighters becoming increasingly obsolete. In the 1990s, China purchased Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi Su-30MKK 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 active electronically scanned array (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 for 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] British combat aviation expert Abraham Abrams referred to the J-16 as "by far the world’s most advanced [Su-27] Flanker derivative," citing China's major advantages in composite material, radar and missile technologies, as primary facilitators of this. He notes that many of the fighter's technologies are derived from those developed for the J-20 fifth generation fighter.[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]

Production

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The J-16 fully replaced the single seat J-11B in production in 2018, with the two classes having been produced in parallel at Shenyang for over half a decade. A small number of twin seat J-11BS trainers remained in production alongside the J-16s into the following years.[16]

In August 2024 Military Watch Magazine estimated that the J-16 fleet had exceeded 350 fighters at a conservative estimate, citing new images from the 125th Air Brigade confirming that aircraft is from the 13th production batch had begun deliveries to frontline units. Each batch of J-16s comprises between 24 and 30 fighters. The publication highlighted that these numbers made the J-16 "by far the most widely commissioned heavyweight fighter class by a single air force anywhere in the world since the turn of the century."

Operational history

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J-16 with WS-10 engines taking off

The first flight is believed to have occurred in 2011–2012.[17]

In April 2014, the PLAAF received a regiment of J-16s.[18]

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.[19]

According to the Australian Department of Defence, on 26 May 2022 a J-16 intercepted a RAAF P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea while the latter was "conducting routine maritime surveillance operations" over international waters.[20] 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.[20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23] 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.[24]

Out of all aircraft deployed in the Taiwan strait, J-16 fighters are the most frequently used, possibly due to its electronic warfare capabilities.[25] In August 2022, China dispatched large amount of J-16 fighters to the Taiwan strait, in response to the Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit.[26]

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, a maneuver colloquially known as "thumping". According to United States Indo-Pacific Command, the RC-135 was conducting "safe and routine operations" in international airspace.[27] 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."[27]

Variants

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J-16D with electronic warfare pods on display

Operators

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 People's Republic of China
  • People's Liberation Army Air Force – 245+ aircraft as of 2022[29] IISS estimated 280+ aircraft by the end of 2023.[30] In August 2024 Military Watch Magazine estimated that the fleet had exceeded 350 fighters at a conservative estimate.

Specifications

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Data from Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA),[31] Rupprecht[32]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2[4]
  • Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 6.36 m (20 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 62 m2 (670 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 17,700 kg (39,022 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 35,000 kg (77,162 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Shenyang WS-10B[33] afterburning turbofans, 135[34] kN (30,000 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,120 km/h (1,320 mph, 1,140 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2
  • Range: 3,000 km (1,900 mi, 1,600 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,500 mi, 2,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,300 m (56,800 ft)
  • g limits: +9
  • Rate of climb: 230 m/s (45,000 ft/min)

Armament

Avionics

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

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bronk, page 38
  2. ^ Barrie, Douglas (29 July 2024). "Phoenix successor redux: the USN's range riposte to China's PL-17?". International Institute for Strategic Studies.
  3. ^ Office of the Secretary of Defense. "China Military Power 2021" (PDF). p. 80.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Liu, Zhen (4 August 2018). "China's new J-16 advanced fighter jet 'targeting Taiwan' may soon be combat ready". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  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". Military Factory.
  7. ^ Fisher, Richard (27 May 2015). "ANALYSIS: Can China break the military aircraft engine bottleneck?". FlightGlobal. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  8. ^ Hollings, Alex (2 February 2019). "China says a new paint job just turned its J-16 into a 'near-stealth' fighter". sofrep.
  9. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (30 November 2017). "China's New J-16D Aircraft Might Have a Terrifying New Military Capability". National Interest.
  10. ^ Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (11 November 2020). "PLAAF J-16 fighter pilots seen using new helmet". Janes.
  11. ^ a b Fisher, Richard D. Jr (23 December 2015). "Possible J-16 EW variant makes its first flight". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  12. ^ DUBOIS, GASTÓN (27 September 2021). "J-16D, China's SEAD aircraft seen as never before". aviacionline.
  13. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (10 November 2020). "Why China's Latest Jets Are Surpassing Russia's Top Fighters". Forbes.
  14. ^ Abrams, Abraham (2024). J-20 Mighty Dragon: Asia's First Stealth Fighter in the Era of China's Military Rise. Warwick: Helion. pp. 57–59.
  15. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (2 July 2021). "Flanker Fighter Appears Among Unmanned Aircraft At China's Secretive Test Base".
  16. ^ Abrams, Abraham (2024). J-20 Mighty Dragon: Asia's First Stealth Fighter in the Era of China's Military Rise. Warwick: Helion.
  17. ^ John Pike. "J-16 (Jianjiji-16 Fighter aircraft 16) / F-16". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  18. ^ "Chinese Air Force Takes Delivery of New J-16 Strike Fighters". 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  19. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel; Rupprecht, Andreas (8 November 2021). "Chinese air force deploying recently unveiled J-16D in combat training". Janes.
  20. ^ a b "Australia says China threatened plane over South China Sea". Associated Press News. Beijing. 5 June 2022.
  21. ^ "Anthony Albanese protests China's fighter plane intercept". The Australian. 6 June 2022.
  22. ^ "Federal government undeterred by China's 'intimidation' tactics" (video). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 June 2022.
  23. ^ "China accuses Australia and Canada of 'disinformation' over jet encounters". The Guardian. Beijing. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  24. ^ Layton, Peter (6 Jun 2022). "A flare up in China's deliberate pattern of aggression". The Interpreter. Lowy Institute.
  25. ^ Waldron, Greg (4 October 2017). "J-16 is China's go-to fighter in Taiwan aerial incursions". FlightGlobal.
  26. ^ Finnerty, Ryan (19 August 2022). "Why Pelosi's Taipei visit triggered Beijing's military". Flight Global.
  27. ^ a b Liebermann, Oren; Britzky, Haley (2023-05-31). "US says Chinese jet conducted 'unnecessarily aggressive maneuver' intercepting US spy plane over South China Sea". CNN. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  28. ^ 军迷天下 (2024-11-04). 提前探秘第15届中国航展现场！歼-16D罕见展示翼尖电子吊舱！歼-10C 歼-16 轰-6K等大批明星战机震撼集结 大饱眼福！20241105 | 军迷天下. Retrieved 2024-11-09 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Zhuhai Airshow display reveals info on China's J-20, J-16 inventory". 8 November 2022.
  30. ^ "6: Waiting in the Wings: The Asia-Pacific Air-to-Air Challenge". Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2024 (Report). The International Institute for Strategic Studies. May 2024.
  31. ^ Defense Intelligence Agency of the United States (2019). China Military Power: Modernizing a Force to Fight and Win (PDF) (Report). p. 88. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  32. ^ Rupprecht 2022, pp. 100-106
  33. ^ 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 Traditional Chinese). 亞洲週刊. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  34. ^ Kadidal, Akhil; Narayanan, Prasobh (25 November 2022). "China's J-15 naval jet appears with indigenous WS-10 engines". Janes.
  35. ^ a b c "Shenyang (AVIC) J-16 (Red Eagle)". Military Factory. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  36. ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (2018). "Chinese and Russian air-launched weapons: a test for Western air dominance". Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  37. ^ PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China's Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces (PDF) (Report). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. 2022.
  38. ^ a b Rupprecht, Andreas (18 February 2020). "Images show PLAAF J-16 armed with YJ-83K anti-ship missile". Janes. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  39. ^ Rupprecht 2018, p. 120.

Bibliography

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