Shenyang J-15 aircraft carrier-based aircraft

[Figaro]

Interesting that these supposedly AESA-equipped fighters still have pitot tubes.

Then probably these are not the AESA Block 3 J-15s ... they are still PESA with AL-31Fs.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Then probably these are not the AESA Block 3 J-15s ... they are still PESA with AL-31Fs.

No J-15 ever used PESA radar. They used the same slotted array radars as those from the J-11B to reduce development time.

 

[Deino]

This is very surprising considering we saw a picture of another production J-15 Batch 3 with WS-10 engines back in August. Maybe this Batch 3 is divided into different categories?

Are you sure? From my memory we only saw the aircraft in parts but not an engine. And on this image it at least had the pitot.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Interesting that these supposedly AESA-equipped fighters still have pitot tubes.

Pitot is not a litmus for whether an aircraft uses AESA. F-16V has AESA but has retained the pitot.

 

[Figaro]

Are you sure? From my memory we only saw the aircraft in parts but not an engine. And on this image it at least had the pitot.

View attachment 675320View attachment 675321View attachment 675322View attachment 675323View attachment 675324

I was looking at these pictures ... the picture, although grainy, looks very much like WS-10 engines. Plus, I think the guy who took the photos also said they were WS-10s.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1289334200680812545

 

[kungfugymnast]

No J-15 ever used PESA radar. They used the same slotted array radars as those from the J-11B to reduce development time.

Yes, no PESA in J-15, probably just pulse doppler radar. The J-15A is just temporary substitute to fill the gap of pending EMALS carrier and J-15B therefore they aren't fitting anything advanced in J-15A.

 

[Deino]

Officially labelled only as "Pilot cadets assigned to the PLA Naval Aviation University walk in line to their positions prior to a flight training course in late September, 2020" it is in fact the first official confirmation that the Batch 03 J-15s are in PLAN Naval Aviation service at the Naval Aviation University at Huangdicun.

Clearly confirmed are two aircraft by the construction numbers cn. 0303 & 0306.

(Images by Ni Shuai and Jiang Tao via chinamil.com.cn)

 

[Deino]

Then probably these are not the AESA Block 3 J-15s ... they are still PESA with AL-31Fs.

Seems not to be and as such I'm a bit surprised and in fact even disappointed since I hoped for something along a single seater J-16 with the J-16's AESA without a pitot and WS-10 engines.

 

[LKJ86]

I'm a bit surprised and in fact even disappointed since I hoped for something along a single seater J-16 with the J-16's AESA without a pitot and WS-10 engines.

IMO, PLAN and SAC have focused on J-15's CATOBAR variants.

 

[Deino]

IMO, PLAN and SAC have focused on J-15's CATOBAR variants.

You mean for a future Batch 04 after this one?

I must admit I'm considering several options and my stomach tells me that these Batch 03 J-15s are just additional standard J-15s as Batch 01 & 02 in order to replace those lost and to rise the number to a level so that both carriers have enough figthers for their regular duiy.
After that additional ones of the rumoured variant J-15B (or whatever) will be built and this one has the alleged AESA, WS-10 engines and is CATOBAR capable for the Type 003 carrier.

 

[LKJ86]

Via @奇圆JeffHoly from Weibo

 

[LKJ86]

Via @人民海军 from Weixin

 

[LKJ86]

 

[LKJ86]

Via @万全 from Weibo

 

[LKJ86]

Via @牧是家 from Weibo