Shenyang J-11

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Shenyang J-11
Role Air superiority fighter
Manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
First flight 1998
Introduction 1998
Status Active service
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced 1998–present
Number built 440 (as of 2019)[1]
Developed from Sukhoi Su-27
Developed into Shenyang J-15

The Shenyang J-11 (Chinese: 歼-11, NATO reporting name Flanker-L) is a twin-engine jet fighter whose airframe is based on the Soviet-designed Sukhoi Su-27. It is manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The aircraft is operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

Development[]

Proposed J-11[]

In the 1970s, the PLAAF initiated a project to develop a replacement for its MiG-19s. The Shenyang Aircraft Factory proposal, designated J-11, was a new light fighter powered by the British Rolls-Royce Spey 512 engine, with better maneuverability than the MiG-19 and better climb rate than the MiG-21. The project was abandoned due to difficulties in obtaining the engines.[2][better source needed]

J-11[]

The actual J-11 comes from 1996, when China bought 200 Su-27s through Rosoboronexport for US$2.7 billion under a coproduction scheme. By the agreement, SAC would assemble aircraft from kits manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant (KnAPPO), and fit them with Russian subsystems (avionics, radars and engines) which would not be coproduced. Production began in 1997.[3] The first two were poorly assembled and required Russian assistance to rebuild. Five were built by 2000, and another 20 by 2003, by which time production was of high quality and incorporated local airframe parts; Russia did not object to local airframe parts, which allowed KnAPPO to reduce the contents of the kits. By late-2004, KnAPPO delivered 105 kits, and 95 J-11s were delivered to the PLAAF.[4] Coproduction of the Su-27s ended in 2004 because China was developing the J-11B - a variant with domestic subsystems - in violation of the coproduction agreement.[4][5]

By 2015, J-11s were upgraded with missile approach warning system (MAWS). Unconfirmed upgrades included improved cockpit displays, and fire control systems for R-77 or PL-10 missiles.[6]

J-11B[]

The J-11B is a multirole variant of the J-11 incorporating Chinese subsystems. It was conceived as a way to remove the J-11's dependency on Russia.[4] SAC unveiled a J-11B mockup in mid-2002. Three prototypes were delivered to the PLAAF for testing in 2006.[7] The two-seater J-11BS followed two years after the J-11B.[4] By 2011, reportedly 90% of the J-11B was based on subsystems and parts designed in China, with the engine presumably being a major part of the remainder.[4][8] Many domestic subsystems are improvements of those found on the Su-27SK.[8]

Chinese subsystems on the J-11B include Type 1474 radar, 3-axis data system, power supply system, emergency power unit, brake system, hydraulic system, fuel system, environment control system, molecular sieve oxygen generation systems,[4] digital flight control system, and glass cockpit.[7]The airframe is slightly lighter due to greater use of composites.[9]

The J-11B may carry the PL-12[4] and PL-15 air-to-air missiles[10][better source needed]

Engine replacement[]

By 2004, the J-11 was being tested with the Shenyang WS-10.[11] Testing may have started as early as 2002; an image from the 2002 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition allegedly depicted a J-11 with one engine replaced with a WS-10.[12] WS-10 development proved difficult. One regiment converted to WS-10-powered J-11Bs in 2007, but was grounded for an extended period due to poor operational reliability.[13] The WS-10A reportedly matured enough after 2009 to power the J-11B Block 02 aircraft,[14] and Jane's reported the J-11B as powered by the WS-10 in 2014.[15]

Intellectual property[]

At the 2009 Farnborough Airshow, Alexander Fomin, Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Co-operation, reported that Russia had not asked China about the "copying" of military equipment, and that China had licences to manufacture the aircraft and its components, including an agreement on the production of intellectual property (IP) rights. The undisclosed IP agreement fuelled speculation about secret contracts or clauses in the original contract. The licence does not officially include carrier-capable aircraft (eg. Sukhoi Su-33) or variants (eg. Shenyang J-15.)[16] At MAKS 2009, Rosoboronexport's General Manager Anatoli Isaykin said Russia and Sukhoi would "investigate the J-11B, as a Chinese copy of the Su-27".[17] In 2010, Rosoboronexport reported it was talking with China about the ongoing unlicensed production of Russian weapons. In light of the ongoing investigations, Rosoboronexport expressed concerns over future sales of advanced Russian systems and components to China.[18][19]

Operational history[]

In March 2011 a joint Sino-Pakistani exercise, Shaheen 1, was conducted at a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base involving a contingent of Chinese aircraft and personnel from the PLAAF.[20] Information on which aircraft were used by each side in the exercise was not released, but photos of Pakistani pilots inspecting what appeared to be Chinese Shenyang J-11B fighters were released on the internet. The exercise lasted for around 4 weeks and was the first time the PLAAF had deployed to and conducted "operational" aerial maneuvers in Pakistan with the PAF.[21]

P-8 interception[]

Chinese Shenyang J-11B fighter intercepting an American P-8. The photo was taken by the crew of the P-8.
Underside view of the J-11BH, showing its air-to-air complement of two PL-8 and two PL-12 missiles.

On 19 August 2014 a J-11B intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft that was over the South China Sea.[22]

The U.S. Department of Defense released details at a press conference on 22 August 2014 with Admiral John Kirby as spokesperson. According to Kirby, the incident occurred 135 miles east of Hainan Island, in international airspace. The Chinese jet "crossed under the aircraft with one pass having only 50–100 feet separation. The Chinese jet also passed the nose of the P-8 at 90 degrees with its belly toward the P-8 Poseidon, believed to be displaying its weapons load-out. Afterwards, the J-11 flew directly under and alongside the P-8, bringing their wingtips, as I said, to within 20 feet. And then conducted a roll over the P-8, passing within 45 feet." He said the "unprofessional" and "unsafe" actions of the Chinese pilot was "not keeping with the kind of military-to-military relationship" the U.S. sought to establish with China. An official complaint was sent to China through regular diplomatic channels.[23][24] The Pentagon commented further that: "Military activities may be conducted within the Exclusive Economic Zone of another nation as an exercise of the freedoms of navigation and overflight."[22]

In response, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman Yang Yujun said that the relevant U.S. criticisms were "totally groundless" as the Chinese pilot professionally maintained a safe distance. Furthermore, he blamed the "massive and frequent close-in surveillance" by the U.S. as the root cause, and called for the end of surveillance flights to improve bilateral military ties.[25]

Variants[]

  • J-11A (or J-11[26]) – Chinese/Russian assembled Su-27SK from Russian-made kits. 104 were built.[6]
  • J-11B – Chinese-developed variant with domestic subsystems.[4] Block 02 powered by Shenyang WS-10 turbofan.[14][15]
  • J-11BS – A twin-seat version of the J-11B.[6] In 2012, the number of J-11B and J-11BS in service was over 120.[27]
  • J-11BH – Naval version of the J-11B.[9][28] It was first sighted in May 2010.[9][29]
  • J-11BSH – Naval version of the J-11BS.[9][28]
  • J-11BG – Variant with light-grey radome; speculated to be equipped with AESA radar.[30]
  • J-15 – Carrier-based version based on the J-11B, incorporating structural elements from the Sukhoi Su-33 prototype purchased from Ukraine in 2001. It uses avionics from the J-11B.[31]
  • J-11D – Variant possibly equipped with fixed electronically scanned array radar, IRST, and capability to fire heavier imaging/infrared (IIR) air-to-air missiles. The airframe makes greater use of composite materials, especially in the engine intakes for lower radar observability. The wings have three hardpoints each. Unconfirmed reports claim it has a new fly-by-wire control system, glass cockpit, improved EW systems, and an improved version of the WS-10A engine.[32]

Operators[]

 People's Republic of China

Specifications (J-11A)[]

Data from [35][36]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 21.9 m (71 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 52.84 m2 (568.8 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 16,380 kg (36,112 lb) [37]
  • Gross weight: 23,926 kg (52,748 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 33,000 kg (72,753 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 9,400 kg (20,700 lb) internal fuel[38]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lyulka AL-31F or afterburning turbofan engines 75.22 / 123 kN (16,910 / 27,650 lbf) dry / afterburning
or 2x Shenyang WS-10A "Taihang" 89.17 / 132 kN (20,050 / 29,670 lbf) afterburning turbofans (J-11B Block 02[14][15])

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,500 km/h (1,600 mph, 1,300 kn) at altitude
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.1
  • Range: 3,530 km (2,190 mi, 1,910 nmi)
  • Combat range: 1,500 km (930 mi, 810 nmi) ~[39]
  • Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,000 ft)
  • g limits: +9
  • Rate of climb: 300 m/s (59,000 ft/min) [40]

Armament

  • Guns: 1× 30 mm (1.18 in) Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 cannon with 150r
  • Hardpoints: 10: 2 under fuselage, 2 under air ducts, 4 under wings, 2 on wingtips with provisions to carry combinations of:
    • Missiles:
      • PL-12
      • PL-9
      • PL-8
      • Vympel R-77
      • Vympel R-27
      • Vympel R-73
  • Rockets: Unguided rocket launcher
  • Bombs: Free-fall cluster bombs

Avionics

  • Fire-control radar: NIIP Tikhomirov N001VE Myech coherent pulse Doppler radar, or Type 1474 radar (J-11B)[4]
  • OEPS-27 electro-optic system
  • NSts-27 helmet-mounted sight (HMS)
  • Gardeniya ECM pods

See also[]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[]

Citations
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  5. ^ Saunders et al., p. 46
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Bibliography

External links[]

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