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Tue,Sep 10,2013
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J-15 better than U.S. F/A-18 in terms of air action, slightly inferior in terms of attack against sea targets

(People's Daily Online)    16:40, September 10, 2013
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Recently, many keen military observers have noted that the J-15 shown on CCTV news is coated in a sea-grey paint finish, and carries the navy flag under the rear part of the cabin. There is speculation that this may be the model released for mass production. Yin Zhuo also said that the air combat capabilities of the J-15 carrier-based aircraft were better than those of the main U.S. carrier-based aircraft, the F/A-18 "Super Hornet".

The J-15 has integrated the technology of the J-11B with carrier-based features such as canard, folding wings, and tailhook. Its undercarriage has high strength, and the front wheel is suitable for catapult launch similar to the carrier-based fighter of the U.S. navy. The catapult launch was taken into consideration at the beginning of its design.

According to media reports, the J-15 is the first generation Chinese carrier-based fighter with outstanding capabilities in attack and defense, excellent maneuverability, and strong capability to attack targets on land or sea. It is able to seek out and destroy large mobile enemy targets on sea. The J-15 fighter is equipped with 30mm machine guns, and is able to carry a supersonic anti-ship missile, the YJ-62 long-range anti-ship missile, the PL-8/9 short-range air-to-air missile, the PL-12 active radar homing long-range air-to-air missile, and the "Thunder Stone" series of gliding guided bombs.

According to the analysis of military experts, since the J-15 is newly-developed, its electronic equipment is very likely to be one generation ahead of the J-11, and is definitely far superior to the Su-33, which is equipped with lagging inverse Cassegrain antenna. It is very likely that the J-15 carries electronic equipment that meets the standards of a fifth generation fighter, and reaches the level of the U.S. F/A-18E/F in this respect.

In terms of its performance compared to other carrier-based aircraft in service around the world, Yin Zhuo said that the J-15 capabilities are high. For instance, it reaches a similar level to the U.S. F/A-18C/D "Super Hornet". While overall it is slightly inferior to the F/A-18E/F, it has better performance in air combat. Its ability to attack land and sea-based targets is lower than the F/A-18E/F, but it is at least equal to, and perhaps slightly better than, India's Mig-29K.

(Editor:YanMeng、Liang Jun)

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