Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15)

Role : Carrier-based Multirole fighter

National origin : People's Republic of China

Manufacturer : Shenyang Aircraft Corporation

First flight : August 31, 2.009

Introduction : 2.016 anticipated

Status : Flight testing

Primary user :_ People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force

Developed from : Shenyang J-11B

The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15) is a carrier-based fighter aircraft in development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the PLAN's future aircraft carriers. 

Rumors initially claimed the aircraft was to be a semi-stealth variant, yet later reports indicate the aircraft is based on the Russian-designed Sukhoi Su-33 and is fitted with domestically produced radars and weapons. 

An unfinished Su-33 prototype, the T-10K-3,was acquired from Ukraine sometime in 2.001 and is said to have been studied extensively, with development on the J-15 beginning immediately afterward.

While the J-15 appears to be structurally based on the Su-33, the indigenous fighter features Chinese technologies as well as avionics from the J-11B program.

Design and development

Russian military experts have downplayed any significant competition from the J-15 in the global arms market, with Col. Igor Korotchenko of the Defense Ministry stating in early June 2.010, "The Chinese J-15 clone is unlikely to achieve the same performance characteristics of the Russian Su-33 carrier-based fighter, and I do not rule out the possibility that China could return to negotiations with Russia on the purchase of a substantial batch of Su-33s.

"China has actively sought to purchase Su-33s from Russia on numerous occasions an unsuccessful offer was made as late as march 2.009 but negotiations collapsed in 2.006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version of the Sukhoi Su-27SK designated the Shenyang J-11B, in violation of intellectual property agreements.

The first J-15 prototype is believed to have performed its maiden flight on August 31, 2.009, powered by Russian-supplied AL-31 turbofan engines.

Video and still images of the flight were released in July 2.010, showing the same basic airframe design as the Su-33.

In July 2.011, it was reported FWS-10H turbofan engine was chosen for J-15 fighter, which has takeoff thrust increased to 12,800 kg, comparing FWS-10 turbofan's 12,500 kg. 

Other improvements were also made to make it better suited to carrier-based fighter's requirement.

On May 6, 2.010, the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump.

The J-15 is reported to use different avionics and systems than the Su-33, and uses Chinese-developed technologies, and features various upgrades such as radar absorbent material, MAWS, IRST, composite, and new electronics.

Some analysts believe the J-15 likely possesses superior aerodynamic capabilities to all fighter aircraft operated by regional militaries with the exception of the F-22.

The J-15 is also believed to possess a 10% superior thrust to weight ratio and a 25% lower wing loading than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Latest reports suggest that China has developed an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which can be installed upon the new fighter, and thrust vectoring as well.

A dark color radar dome indicates that the first J-15 prototype has a radar different from the one of Su-27SK.

Chinese officials commented that the J-15 could match the performance of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Rafale M naval fighters.