Electronic warfare aircraft Shenyang J-16D appeared in public
J-16D arrives in Zhuhai. Photo Twitter.com/TheBaseLeg
On September 28, the next international air show Airshow China 2021 opens in Zhuhai, China. As always, at this event, China demonstrates its latest developments in various fields. One of the novelties of this year was the promising Shenyang J-16D electronic warfare aircraft. It is being shown to the general public for the first time - and attracted their attention even before the exhibition began.
The path to the exhibition
In the early tenths, the Chinese Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) began flight tests of the promising J-16 fighter, based on the older J-11. For several years, the aircraft passed all the necessary checks, after which it was put into service in 2015. By now, approx. 200 of these fighters, and this number will continue to grow in the future.
When the basic J-16 was at the testing stage, information appeared in the Chinese and foreign publications about the possible creation of its specialized versions. Later, these rumors were confirmed: SAC, in cooperation with related organizations, developed a new modification of the J-16 - an electronic warfare aircraft. This project received the J-16D index.
The plane after landing. Photo Twitter.com/TheBaseLeg
The first flight of the experienced J-16D took place on December 18, 2015. The development corporation revealed the very fact of the beginning of tests and published several photographs of the prototype in the air. Later, new pictures and some facts about the plane were published. They gave a general idea, but did not allow for a complete picture with all the details.
Over the next several years, the exact status of the J-16D project remained unknown. From time to time, the prototype was spotted in the air, but the SAC or the PLA refrained from meaningful comments. At the same time, it could be assumed that the project had advanced far enough and would soon reach the series.
At the beginning of last week, it became known that a full-fledged J-16D aircraft will for the first time become an exhibition exhibit at an open event. Soon, curious photos appeared on Chinese Internet resources. First, the lens caught the arrival of the aircraft at the Zhuhai airfield, and then it was captured as part of a static exposition - while under a cover, but in a "combat" configuration. After arriving at the parking lot, the plane received overhead containers with equipment.
Technical secrets
The J-16D aircraft is based on the 4th generation J-16 serial fighter and retains the bulk of its structures, systems and assemblies. At the same time, the airframe and other components had to be modified taking into account the new role. Most of these changes are hidden inside the aircraft and affect the onboard electronic complex. At the same time, there are also a few external differences.
J-16D under cover and with containers. Photo Twitter.com/TheBaseLeg
The show J-16D does not look different from the previously shown prototype aircraft. Perhaps over the years, the project has been changed and improved, but such improvements did not lead to a noticeable change in appearance, although they should have affected the performance.
In general, the electronic warfare aircraft is similar to the base fighter, although it has some differences. So, the automatic cannon was removed from the right wing inflow. They also removed the optical location station under the canopy of the lantern. All this made it possible to free up volumes for the installation of some new equipment. At the same time, the aircraft does not lose its characteristics and quality, because not intended for direct collision with the enemy.
The J-16D nose cone is slightly different in size and shape from that of the base fighter. Under it, as reported, is a new radar with AFAR. The containers on the wingtips have been preserved, but they are enlarged and have a different shape, which indicates the installation of different equipment.
The composition of the target equipment is unknown. It is assumed that the J-16D carries a set of antennas for receiving radio signals, processing and control equipment, as well as a number of jamming stations with different characteristics. The aircraft can use not only built-in instruments, but also suspended containers. So, at the exhibition they show a car with four containers. The pair are suspended under the wing, the other two under the fuselage.
Base fighter J-16. Photo Airwar.ru
The models, purpose and characteristics of the containers are unknown. They all have a similar appearance and are made on the basis of a streamlined rectangular body. Some are equipped with external plane antennas. It is only clear that they are equipped with electronic means, and the J-16D can carry several such systems at once.
The electronic warfare aircraft receives a two-seater tandem cockpit from the base fighter. One of the seats, as before, is intended for the pilot, the second for the navigator-operator. The latter is responsible for the use of electronic equipment and the solution of combat missions.
Earlier, a version circulated in foreign publications about the possible fighter or strike potential of the J-16D aircraft. Even after installing all the electronic warfare containers under the wing, there are empty suspension points. They can carry air-to-air missiles for self-defense or other weapons. However, a specialized aircraft does not need special combat capabilities.
Promising direction
The J-16 fighter has already entered production and its share in the Air Force is constantly growing. The current status of its specialized modification, the J-16D, is not yet clear. The SAC or the PLA Air Force did not disclose such information, and indirect signs of mass production and appearance in the troops have not yet been noticed. However, the current premiere of the aircraft can also speak volumes.
First experienced J-16D in flight. Photo Militaryparitet.com
The first experimental electronic warfare aircraft of a new type took off almost six years ago, and during this time the project did not stop. In addition, it was finally decided to show the car at the exhibition. All this may indicate that work is close to completion, and soon the J-16D will go into production, and then go to the troops.
It should be noted that the J-16D is not the only one of its kind. In parallel with it, a similar aircraft was created for deck aviation... It was carried out on the basis of the J-15 fighter and was also designated with the letter "D". In terms of external changes, the deck-mounted J-15D is similar to the land-based J-16D and likely has similar or the same capabilities.
In 2018, it was reported about the beginning of military tests of the carrier-based aircraft. Accordingly, by now he could pass the necessary checks and receive a recommendation for adoption. The same applies to the unified J-16D, which has been in trials for several years.
The presence and progress of projects J-15D and J-16D shows that the command of the PLA Air Force and Navy takes into account the current trends in the development of tactical aviation and is taking appropriate measures. Much attention is paid to the development of various electronic systems, incl. electronic warfare complexes. Various products of this kind are intended for retrofitting combat aircraft or for use on dedicated platforms like the J-16D.
Deck aircraft EW J-15D. Photo Nevskii-bastion.ru
The use of a modern electronic warfare system is expected to allow new aircraft to detect and suppress various sources of radio signals, such as radar, communication and control equipment of the enemy. At the same time, the platforms of the "outdated" 4th generation will provide sufficiently high flight performance and operational characteristics without any other losses. In addition, a high degree of unification with other aircraft equipment was obtained.
An obvious future
For the PLA Air Force, a new specialized electronic warfare aircraft has been developed, unified with other novelties of the aviation fleet. The J-16D has already passed at least most of the tests, and is also admitted to a public event for the first time. All this allows us to assume that in the near future the development and fine-tuning of the aircraft will be completed, and a series will follow.
So far, we are talking only about the first demonstration of the J-16D at an open exhibition - but this is also of great interest. Perhaps the demonstration of the car in the parking lot will be supplemented with the disclosure of new information. At the same time, it is obvious that the electronic warfare aircraft, along with other new products, will become one of the most popular models at the exhibition.
Information