China Reveals Another ‘Growler’
- May 8, 2018, 9:39 AM
The
variation in surface coloration of the fuselage suggests extensive
modifications to the J-15 airframe. (Photo: via Chinese search engine,
sohu.com)
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) of China is developing the J-15D, a
dedicated carrier-borne electronic warfare fighter. New photographs of the
J-15D with jamming pods and primer coating were circulating the Internet in
early May, with Chinese observers dubbing the airplane the "China
Growler" or "Growler Shark" after the J-15 Flying Shark.
A similar capability was tested on the land-based tandem-seat Shenyang
J-16 in 2015, with the designation J-16D. The J-16 is based on the Russian
Sukhoi Su-30MKK, with active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The
"D" variant had the infrared search and track (IRST) system and 30 mm
cannon removed, likely to accommodate more electronic warfare avionics on the
aircraft. The J-16D also featured two wingtip jamming pods, with four
knife-edge antennas visible.
The carrier-based J-15 derives from the single-seat Su-33, but SAC
produced a twin-seat variant in 2012, known as the J-15S. This has become the
basis of the J-15D, where the rear seat is likely to be reserved for the
electronic warfare operator. As on the J-16D, the radome on the
J-15D lacks an IRST and cannon and also a pitot tube, suggesting the
installation of AESA radar. Photos of the unpainted J-15D show various
modifications to the original J-15 airframe, including a possible new antenna
installation on the leading edge of the canard. The photos also suggest that
composite materials have been used for the elevator, flaps, air brakes, and
vertical stabilizer.
Of most significance, the J-15D features an improved wingtip jamming
pod, compacting the protruding antennas on the J-16D into a streamlined pod.
Little is known about these pods but they are often compared with the U.S.
Navy’s Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming Receiver found on the
Boeing E/A-18G Growler.
The J-15D continues to be powered by Russian NPO Saturn AL-31
turbofans, instead of the anticipated domestic WS-10B engines. Some Chinese
sources believe it is due to flight safety on the prototype aircraft and the
relative simplicity of integrating with the J-15 airframe.
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