The PLA Navy showcased the new J-15T carrier-based fighter jet in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, ahead of Airshow China 2024. This marks the first time the PLA Navy has participated in the exhibition. The J-15T is an enhanced model of the J-15, featuring upgraded radar and weaponry, and is designed to work with catapult launch systems. According to Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng, the J-15T landed in Zhuhai at noon on Wednesday. A core weapon in an aircraft carrier formation and a key force of the PLA Naval Aviation Force, as stated by China Bugle, an official social media account of the PLA News Media Center.
Its landing in Zhuhai marked the first time the PLA Navy has participated in an Airshow China event, according to China Bugle. Airshow China 2024 is set to take place from November 12 to 17 in Zhuhai. Against the backdrop of Fujian, China's first catapults-equipped aircraft carrier undergoing smooth sea trials, the "T" in the J-15T likely stands for "tanshe," which translates to catapult-launched, as mentioned by Zhang.
After examining photographs of the aircraft released by China Bugle and other official media, Zhang observed that the J-15T had undergone redesigns to strengthen its front landing gear. China Central Television reported that the front landing gear of the J-15T is bulkier than the original J-15, aiming to help the aircraft adapt to the significant tractive force when launched by a catapult. Since the J-15 was originally designed for ski jump carriers, the upgraded version should still be compatible with China's current carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, as noted by Zhang. Before the official announcement of the J-15T on Wednesday, the enhanced J-15 was reportedly featured in official media reports on the Liaoning and the Shandong's first-ever dual-carrier group exercise in the South China Sea in October.
Pictures published by Xinhua News Agency revealed that certain J-15s in the exercise featured light gray radomes, which are dome structures that shield radars. This is different from the previous deep gray radomes seen on the J-15. Upon examining photos of the J-15T that recently arrived in Zhuhai, Zhang confirmed that the new aircraft is fitted with a fresh style of nose dome. He observed that China's progress in avionics suggests that the J-15T is probably fitted with a more advanced AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar. This will allow the J-15T to utilize the latest airborne weaponry and elevate the fighter to a 4.5-generation status.
More details to follow.
The PLA Navy's unveiling of the J-15T carrier-based fighter jet occurred a day following the announcement from the PLA Air Force about the addition of the J-35A medium-sized stealth fighter.
According to Zhang, the inclusion of the "A" in J-35A suggests the possibility of various versions of this aircraft. An innovative warplane was recently tested on the PLA Navy's aircraft carrier Liaoning, as reported by China Central Television in September. Media reports suggest that the new aircraft may be the carrier-based version of the J-35. The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), developer of the J-35A, stated in a press release on Tuesday that the stealth aircraft's primary mission is to establish and maintain air supremacy.
It is designed to eliminate enemy fourth/fifth generation fighter jets, ground/surface air defense forces, and intercept hostile aerial targets such as fighters, bombers, and cruise missiles. Wang Yongqing, chief expert at AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, mentioned that the J-35A is a versatile fighter jet capable of engaging with air, land, and sea targets. A report from the Hong Kong-based news outlet wenweipo.com previously indicated that Chinese aircraft carriers are expected to carry both the J-15 and the J-35.
