Shenyang J-15

$61 million carrier-based multirole fighter as of 2017

Shenyang J 15 fighter
Scroll down for image gallery
credit: PLA
Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp

The Shenyang J-15 is a 4th generation, twinjet, all-weather, carrier-capable multirole fighter in development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy’s aircraft carriers.

Manufacturer:
Shenyang
Country:
China
Manufactured:
2009 to: Present
ICAO:
J15
Price:
US$61 million (2017)
Avionics:
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / MIL-STD-1553B
Engine:
2x Shenyang WS-10
Turbofan
Power:
30,000 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed:
1301 knots
2,409 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
130 knots
Travel range:
1,900 Nautical Miles
3,519 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
66,000 feet
Rate of Climb:
64000 feet / minute
325.12metre / second
Take Off Distance:
Landing Distance:
Max Take Off Weight:
33,000 Kg
72,752 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
24,000 Kg
52,910 lbs
Max Payload:
15,000 Kg
33,069 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
3,700 gallon
14,006 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
2 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
21.9 metre - 71.85 feet
Tail height:
5.92 metre - 19.42 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
1.8 metre - 5.91 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
14.7 metre - 48.23 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

The Shenyang J-15, also known as the Flying Shark is a carrier-borne air superiority fighter. Its development was hulled in controversy. Russia claims that the Chinese have breached intellectual property agreements by building their type of Russian Sukhoi Su-33 fighter jet. This occurrence lead to the end of negotiation between the two powerful countries in 2006.

In 2006, the J-15 program officially began. On August 31, 2009, the first prototype conducted its first flight and was believed to be fitted by Russian-inspired AL-31 turbofan engines. In July 2010, videos and still images of the aircraft in flight were reported, having similar standard airframe design as the Su-33. On May 6, 2010, the J-15 took its first takeoff from a simulated ski-jump.

On November 25, 2012, it successfully accomplished its first takeoff and Landing on Liaoning, the first aircraft carrier of China. On November 4, 2012, a twin-seat version conducted its maiden flight. The original WS-10 engines proved to be not reliable under oceanic conditions, and the initial J-15s were powered by Russian-made AL31F. After some years, WS-10 entered production and the later versions of the aircraft were slowly replaced with enhanced WS-10.

The Shenyang WS-10 afterburning turbofan engines powered the J-15. Each engine produces a maximum thrust of 30,000 lbf. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 1,301 knots and a ferry range of 1,900 nautical miles. It can fly up to 66,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 64,000 feet per minute.

The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 33,000 kg and a maximum landing weight of 24,000 kg. It has a maximum payload of 15,000 kg and a fuel capacity of 3,700 gallons.

The J-15 has an exterior length of 21.9 meters, a height of 5.92 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.8 meters. It has a wheelbase of 5.9 meters, a wingspan of 14.7 meters, and a wing area of 62.04 square meters. It can be loaded with a 1×30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds, air-to-air and anti-ship missiles, various bombs, and rockets.

All Shenyang Aircraft