A new image provides our best view of the latest addition to China’s growing family of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter series, the J-15DT electronic warfare version. There is also some indication that it may have entered operational service, or got very close to it. Crucially, this electronic attack Flanker is outfitted for operations aboard catapult-equipped aircraft carriers like the Fujian. Evidence emerged recently suggesting this carrier may have begun to host fixed-wing aircraft trials.
Overall, progress with the J-15DT program points not only to the scope of China’s carrier aviation ambitions, but also the growing focus on catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations, which offer many advantages.
The recently emerged photo, seen at the top of this story, shows an airborne J-15DT seen with at least three external electronic warfare pods, two on the pylons under the engine intake ducts and one (likely two) on the wingtips. It wears the low-visibility national and unit insignia and individual two-digit code number (in this case ‘23’) associated with operational J-15s, which suggests that the aircraft could be a part of the frontline People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) inventory. At the same time, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility of image manipulation by official sources or otherwise.
Although the catapult launch bar is not visible, the aircraft can be confirmed as the CATOBAR version since it has gray tailfin caps and slightly different wingtip pods associated with this aircraft. Most likely, it also has a two-part front landing gear door. Some reports suggest the J-15DT also has the dorsal airbrake removed.
It remains possible that the aircraft seen here is a renumbered prototype J-15DT, examples of which have been seen in the past. At the very least, however, it appears indicative of this variant’s march toward becoming part of the air wing of the Fujian, and potentially the PLAN’s two earlier carriers.
The pace of development for the CATOBAR J-15DT — which is broadly similar to the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler, but likely also possessing a secondary strike mission — has been impressive.
Only last October did evidence emerge of the J-15DH undergoing carrier trials. With their distinctive tandem two-seat cockpits and humped forward fuselages, these aircraft were noted aboard the carrier Shandong. This vessel, like the Liaoning before it, is equipped for short takeoff but assisted recovery (STOBAR) operations.
Most critically, CATOBAR operations allow fixed-wing aircraft to take off with much heavier fuel and weapons loads. This has been a persistent shortcoming of the original J-15 versions operated from the Liaoning and Shandong. It would be a particular problem launching and recovering a J-15 electronic warfare variant from these vessels, due to their requirement to carry heavy external jamming pods as well as a large fuel load for escort missions.
Furthermore, the Fujian is equipped with electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) type catapults — three in total — rather than the traditional steam-powered ones. While tricky to master, EMALS offers a range of advantages. These include increased sortie-generation rates due to lower reset times and the ability to better fine-tune the forces they exert on aircraft during launch, meaning that a wider range of aircraft types can be supported, including smaller and more fragile types, such as drones. At the same time, wear and tear on individual aircraft is reduced.
As for the electronic warfare version of China’s carrier-based Flanker, this is equally important for the PLAN’s burgeoning carrier air wing.
Reportedly, the prototype J-15DH first flew in late 2016 but was, at that time, still being STOBAR-configured. Like the land-based J-16D, this variant is characterized by large wingtip electronic warfare pods, a revised radome profile, and it has the standard infrared search and track (IRST) sensor and cannon removed. Additional conformal and blade antennas are located around the airframe, and further electronic warfare pods can be carried under the wings and below the fuselage.
As we’ve discussed in the past, the J-15D series opens up a whole new range of missions for China’s carriers. A key mission will be providing jamming support while directly escorting aircraft penetrating hostile territory, as well as while operating from a standoff distance.
At the same time, there have been suggestions that the J-15D series could be a lot more than simply an escort jammer type, too. Some accounts suggest the J-15D series, like the land-based J-16D, is also intended for offensive operations, using anti-radiation missiles and perhaps other weapons.
There are some questions about how powerful and effective the J-15DT’s pods can be as they rely on internal power from the jet instead of an independent ram-air turbine. This could limit their power output and the potential to maximize the use of all pods at any given time.
Meanwhile, the J-15DT is just one of an expanding inventory of carrier-based aircraft, some of which have been tailored specifically for the Fujian and subsequent CATOBAR carriers, while others will be able to operate from the earlier STOBAR vessels as well.
Chief among these is the PLAN’s next carrier fighter, the stealthy J-35. While this was designed from the ground up for CATOBAR operations, there are also signs that it might also eventually embark on the Liaoning and Shandong.
The PLAN is looking forward to introducing the KJ-600 carrier-based radar plane, which will play a role analogous to the E-2 Hawkeye as a critical force-multiplying airborne early warning and control and networking node aboard CATOBAR carriers.
Then there is a growing portfolio of advanced uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAVs) and other types of drones that China is developing for launch from carriers and big-deck amphibious warfare ships.
Recently, imagery of a new jet trainer, apparently based on the existing JL-10, also emerged. There are indications that this could be designed with carrier training in mind, something that will become more important as more carriers enter service and CATOBAR operations become more routine.
At the same time, development of the J-15 series continues, with versions equipped for either CATOBAR or STOBAR operations.
The upgraded, CATOBAR-capable J-15T single-seat multirole fighter was more or less confirmed to be in operational service last year, when a dozen of them were noted operating from the Shandong. The J-15T has a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a more modern cockpit.
There is also a two-seat J-15S, the airframe of which was used as the basis for the J-15D. The ultimate objective behind the two-seat J-15S remains unknown, with conflicting reports that it is intended as a carrier trainer, a multirole strike fighter, or simply as a testbed. Meanwhile, it appears to have entered PLAN service in a land-based role, although carrier-based service could well follow, in one form or another.
With the Fujian reportedly expected to enter operational service by the end of this year, we can expect to learn much more about the carrier and its capabilities, including its all-important air wing.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
