Shenyang J-11

[Zarvan]

The Shenyang J-11 fighter is based on the Russian Su-27 design

Entered service 1998
Crew 1 men
Dimensions and weight
Length 21.9 m
Wing span 14.7 m
Height 5.92 m
Weight (empty) 16.38 t
Weight (maximum take off) 33 t
Engines and performance
Engines 2 × Lyulka AL-31F or Woshan WS-10A "Taihang" turbofans
Traction (dry / with afterburning) 75.22 / 123 kN
Maximum speed ~ 2 500 km/h
Service ceiling 19 km
Ferry range 3 530 km
Combat radius 1 500 km
Armament
Cannon 1 x 23-mm or 30-mm
Missiles PL-12 medium-range; PL-7, PL-8, PL-9, AIM-9L/M short-range
Bombs free-fall cluster bombs


Chinese air force has been looking for a way to produce a counterpart to the fourth generation fighter jets, used by NATO countries. The first idea about developing a Soviet-like fighter emerged in late 70’s when Shenyang factory combined a light fighter design of the Soviet MiG-19 with a British Rolls-Royce Spey 512 engine. This project was known as the J-11, but eventually failed. However this idea was resurrected two decades later.


In the 1990s China signed an agreement with Russia, that allowed to build 200 Su-27SK aircraft from Russian-supplied kits. Production of the J-11 began in 1998. It made its maiden flight during the same year. However co-production of the basic J-11 was halted after around 100 aircraft were built. Later Chinese produces their indigenous version of this aircraft.



The J-11 is a twin-engine, single-seat air superiority fighter, based on the Sukhoi Su-27’s design. It has a Western reporting name Flanker B+. At the time of its introduction it was a fairly respectable fighter jet with Russian engines and weaponry. It was a noteworthy adversary to US-made aircraft, such as Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falconor Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.


So far, there are 253 aircraft of various versions built and the production keeps on going. Produced in the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in Northern China, all of the Shenyang J-11 aircraft, including the J-11A, J-11B, J-11BS, J-11D, J-15, and J-16 versions are used solely by Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force. It has never been exported.


The first 100 Shenyang J-11 aircraft were fitted with Russian-made Lyulka Saturn AL-31 engines. However, the later versions, namely J-11B and J-16 use Chinese-built Woshan WS-10A "Taihang" turbofans.


Performance of the basic version of this aircraft, the Shenyang J-11, is very similar to Sukhoi Su-27, not only because of an almost identical design, but also because of the equipment. This version employs Russian equipment like NIIP Tikhomirov N001V radar and armament including Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon and Vympel NPO missiles.



Variants



J-11A is basically the same aircraft as J-11, the only difference being in improved equipment. This version is equipped with a different electronic flight instrument system;

J-11B is an indigenous Chinese version, fitted with locally-built radar, avionics and weapons. Some sources report that up to 90% of components are indigenous. It also has some upgrades to the airframe. Existence of this aircraft was confirmed in 2007;

J-11BS, a two-seat version of the J-11B. Essentially it is a combat-capable trainer aircraft, similar to the Russian Su-27UB. The first prototype was revealed in 2007;

J-11D, an improved version of the J-11B, fitted with AESA radar and upgraded WS-10 engine. Other improvements include new cockpit, more radar absorbent materials, two additional hardpoints, in-flight refueling probe, new electronic warfare systems;

J-15 is another notable variant of this jet fighter. It is a a naval version, equipped with Chinese-equipment and weaponry. The aircraft is nicknamed the Flying Shark for a good reason – it is faster than its predecessor, with the top speed of 2 940 km/h and higher service ceiling;

J-16 is the latest model coming out of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is an advanced version of J-11, based on the Su-30MKK. This is a two-seat multi-role fighter. Its production began in 2012. The J-16 made its first flight in 201r. Currently Chinese air force has 24 of these aircrafts, with the order of a whole regiment.

Shenyang J-11 Air Superiority Fighter | Military-Today.com

 

[BoQ77]

I heard that a Chinese military expert admited that to get first order of Su-27 confirmed China must kill dogs from 3 provinces for Russian to make material for winter coats.
That fact show the importance of Sukhoi 27 at that moment to China AF.

After get Su 27, China could make a great leap to modernize their AF