Chinese Flanker Family: J-11, J-16 ... Su-27SK/UBK, Su-30MKK

[LKJ86]

Su-30MKK

Via @沉默的山羊 from Weibo

 

[JSCh]

Chinese fighter jet gets long-range radar: reports
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/11/5 21:46:07

A J-11B fighter jet with a white radar dome participates in a systematic combat drill at a desert. Photo: screenshot from China Central Television

China reportedly developed a new variant of the J-11B fighter jet with new radar that can see farther and enable long-range missile use, a move that will significantly boost the Chinese Air Force's capability, military experts said on Tuesday.

The fighter jet was seen in a Monday China Central Television (CCTV) report on the upcoming 70th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

It is participating in a systematic combat drill at a desert, CCTV said, without elaborating.

Unlike other J-11Bs that serve in the PLA Air Force, which have black radar domes (radome), this particular J-11B has a white one, suggesting it is equipped with a new type of radar, reported Weihutang, a column on military affairs affiliated with CCTV, on Monday.

"The reported new radar is likely an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which has longer detection capabilities, can better identify targets and enable the use of long-range air-to-air weapons," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that the Su-27, from which the J-11B was developed, uses mechanically scanned radar that has low detection distance and scan speed.

This will also allow the J-11B to conduct a wider variety of missions, including reconnaissance over sky, sea and land, Wang said.

A J-11B was spotted earlier this year carrying what seemed to be a powerful PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile. Military observers said back then the advanced missile's range is longer than the detection range of the fighter's outdated radar, so the fighter might have to rely on data from other warplanes, like early warning aircraft, to target its enemies.

But with the new radar, the J-11B variant could launch a PL-15 at maximum efficiency on its own, analysts said.

The J-11B variant's participation in a military drill means it could have joined military service, or it is also possible that it was conducting a test or evaluation on its capabilities, Wang said.

If China's vast fleet of J-11s can be outfitted with AESA radars, it will significantly boost the PLA Air Force's overall combat capability, Wang said.

 

[LKJ86]

Chinese fighter jet gets long-range radar: reports
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/11/5 21:46:07

A J-11B fighter jet with a white radar dome participates in a systematic combat drill at a desert. Photo: screenshot from China Central Television

China reportedly developed a new variant of the J-11B fighter jet with new radar that can see farther and enable long-range missile use, a move that will significantly boost the Chinese Air Force's capability, military experts said on Tuesday.

The fighter jet was seen in a Monday China Central Television (CCTV) report on the upcoming 70th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

It is participating in a systematic combat drill at a desert, CCTV said, without elaborating.

Unlike other J-11Bs that serve in the PLA Air Force, which have black radar domes (radome), this particular J-11B has a white one, suggesting it is equipped with a new type of radar, reported Weihutang, a column on military affairs affiliated with CCTV, on Monday.

"The reported new radar is likely an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which has longer detection capabilities, can better identify targets and enable the use of long-range air-to-air weapons," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that the Su-27, from which the J-11B was developed, uses mechanically scanned radar that has low detection distance and scan speed.

This will also allow the J-11B to conduct a wider variety of missions, including reconnaissance over sky, sea and land, Wang said.

A J-11B was spotted earlier this year carrying what seemed to be a powerful PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile. Military observers said back then the advanced missile's range is longer than the detection range of the fighter's outdated radar, so the fighter might have to rely on data from other warplanes, like early warning aircraft, to target its enemies.

But with the new radar, the J-11B variant could launch a PL-15 at maximum efficiency on its own, analysts said.

The J-11B variant's participation in a military drill means it could have joined military service, or it is also possible that it was conducting a test or evaluation on its capabilities, Wang said.

If China's vast fleet of J-11s can be outfitted with AESA radars, it will significantly boost the PLA Air Force's overall combat capability, Wang said.

It is still a J-11B, not so-called J-11BG.

 

[Deino]

Here another image of that J-11BG with either '61222' or '61227' assigned to the 1st Air Brigade with some details for speculation.

(Image via Huitong's CMA-Blog)

 

[lcloo]

Here another image of that J-11BG with either '61222' or '61227' assigned to the 1st Air Brigade with some details for speculation.

(Image via Huitong's CMA-Blog)

View attachment 587801 View attachment 587802

I think this is a 01 batch J11B, which could have served more than 10 years, so MLU modification should be in place.

Early batches of J11A and J11B 's biggest weakness are (1) the exposed engine fan blades give large radar return, and (2) the radar is less efficient than most contemporary ones used in PLAAF J16 and some neighbouring countries.

Upgrading of above (1) and (2), other sensors and possibly engine are likely to be part of MLU program. Whether the photo of the white radome aircraft is the actual J11BG or an evaluation/test bed for J11BG will have to be wait and see.

 

[Deino]

Well it seems as if there are at least already two J-11BGs with that light grey radome available.
(Image via www.81.cn)

 

[LKJ86]

- maybe there is indeed some sort of MLU for the J-11B/BS?

It is not the job of SAC.

 

[Deino]

It is not the job of SAC.

Really? Who then is responsible?

 

[LKJ86]

Really? Who then is responsible?

The MLU of J-10 also isn't the job of CAC.

 

[Deino]

The MLU of J-10 also isn't the job of CAC.

Ok, I expect this one of the main avionics supplier in close cooperation with the maintenance stations/facilities, but si it known, who's responsible for the J-11BG MLU ... and since you mentioned it, for the J-10 MLU?

 

[LKJ86]

Ok, I expect this one of the main avionics supplier in close cooperation with the maintenance stations/facilities, but si it known, who's responsible for the J-11BG MLU ... and since you mentioned it, for the J-10 MLU?

I think you can get some informations from the MLU of JF-17 in China.

 

[Fsjal]

Definitely nice to know that J-11B fleet will probably have avionics upgrade to keep them relevant in the coming years. If it is indeed AESA radars then that means the PLAAF will save a lot of money than buying newly-built J-11Ds (plus it's a great way to reinforce the fleet of J-10Cs and J-16s).

Also, does anyone know the names of Chinese military radar manufacturers? The only one I know is Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology.

 

[LKJ86]

J-11B/BS

 

[Deino]

A J-16 assigned to the 7th Air Brigade.

(Image via yangheng via Huitong's CMA-Blog)

 

[LKJ86]

J-16