Shenyang J-15
The Shenyang J-15, also known as “Flying Shark,” is a carrier-based multirole fighter developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Based on the Russian Sukhoi Su-33, the J-15 has been domestically produced and upgraded with Chinese avionics, weapons systems, and engines. First flown in 2009 and introduced in 2013, the J-15 is designed for air superiority, fleet defense, and ground-attack missions from aircraft carriers.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Carrier-based multirole fighter |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Shenyang Aircraft Corporation |
| First Flight | 2009 |
| Service Entry | 2013 |
| Crew | 1 |
Specifications
| Length | 21.9 m (72 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) |
| Empty Weight | 17,500 kg (38,580 lb) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 33,000 kg (72,752 lb) |
| Powerplant | 2 × WS-10H turbofans |
| Thrust | 27,560 lbf (122.6 kN) per engine with afterburner |
| Max Speed | Mach 2.4 (2,500 km/h; 1,550 mph) |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 m (65,600 ft) |
| Range | ~2,000 mi (3,200 km) combat radius |
| Rate of Climb | ~65,000 ft/min (330 m/s) |
Avionics & Armament
| Main Radar | Type 1473 radar |
|---|---|
| Avionics | Advanced avionics suite, electronic warfare systems |
| Armament | One 30-mm cannon; Up to 12 external hardpoints for: – Air-to-air missiles (PL-8, PL-12) – Air-to-ground munitions (bombs, rockets) – Precision-guided bombs – External fuel tanks |
Notable Features
- Carrier-capable with folding wings and arrestor hook.
- Multirole capability for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
- Advanced avionics for superior situational awareness.
- High maneuverability for dogfighting superiority.
- Continuously upgraded with new variants for enhanced capabilities.
The Shenyang J-15 (Chinese: 歼-15; NATO reporting name: Flanker-X2 or Flanker-K, also known as “Flying Shark”) is a crucial component of China’s burgeoning naval power. It is a twin-engine, carrier-based, all-weather, multirole fighter developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) specifically for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carriers.
Development and Origins
The J-15’s development is steeped in controversy and represents China’s approach to acquiring advanced military technology.
- Su-33 Influence: The J-15 is widely believed to be a reverse-engineered and indigenized version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-33 carrier-based fighter. After unsuccessful attempts to purchase Su-33s from Russia, China reportedly acquired an uncompleted Su-33 prototype (a T-10K-3) from Ukraine in 2001. This prototype served as a critical basis for the J-15’s design.
- J-11B Heritage: While based on the Su-33 airframe, the J-15 incorporates Chinese indigenous technologies and avionics largely derived from the land-based J-11B fighter program.
- First Flight and Carrier Trials: The first J-15 prototype conducted its maiden flight on August 31, 2009. It achieved its first successful arrested landing and ski-jump takeoff from the PLAN’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, on November 25, 2012. This marked a significant milestone for China’s naval aviation.
Key Features and Capabilities
The J-15 is designed to operate from aircraft carriers and is optimized for both air-to-air combat and strike missions:
- Carrier Capability:
- Reinforced Airframe: The J-15’s airframe is structurally reinforced to withstand the stresses of carrier takeoffs and arrested landings.
- Arrestor Hook: Equipped with a tailhook for arrested landings.
- Folding Wings: Its wings can fold upwards, allowing for more efficient storage in hangars and on the flight deck of aircraft carriers.
- Robust Landing Gear: Features strengthened landing gear, particularly the nose gear, to handle the impact of carrier landings and the forces of catapult launches (on newer variants).
- STOBAR Operations: The initial J-15 variants operate from Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) carriers like the Liaoning and Shandong, using a ski-jump for takeoff. This limits payload and fuel at launch compared to catapult-assisted takeoffs.
- Twin-Engine Power: Powered by two turbofan engines. Initial J-15s used Russian Saturn AL-31F engines. Later production models and upgraded variants are increasingly fitted with the indigenous Shenyang WS-10H “Taihang” turbofan engine, an improved navalized variant of the WS-10.
- Avionics:
- Radar: Early variants likely use a radar derived from the J-11B’s Type 1493. More advanced variants (like the J-15B/T) are reportedly equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, significantly enhancing detection range, multi-target tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities.
- “Glass Cockpit”: Features modern multi-function displays (MFDs) and a Head-Up Display (HUD).
- IRST: Includes an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system for passive targeting.
- Electronic Warfare Suite: Integrated EW systems for self-protection.
- Armament: The J-15 has 12 external hardpoints and an internal cannon. It can carry a diverse range of weapons:
- Internal Cannon: A 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon.
- Air-to-Air Missiles: PL-8 (short-range IIR), PL-12 (medium-range active radar-guided). Newer variants can launch advanced missiles like the PL-10 (advanced short-range IIR) and the long-range PL-15 (active radar-guided).
- Air-to-Surface/Anti-Ship Missiles: YJ-83K anti-ship missiles, various unguided rockets, and precision-guided bombs.
- Payload: Maximum payload capacity of around 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs).
Key Variants
- J-15 (Flanker-X2): The initial single-seat production variant, adapted for STOBAR carrier operations.
- J-15S: A two-seat combat-capable trainer variant, first flown in 2012.
- J-15T (Flanker-X2): An improved variant specifically developed for CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) operations. This variant features a reinforced nose landing gear designed for catapult launches and more advanced avionics, including an AESA radar. This variant is intended for China’s newer, larger aircraft carriers, such as the Fujian (Type 003), which are equipped with electromagnetic catapults. It was officially unveiled at Airshow China 2024.
- J-15D (Flanker-X2): A two-seat electronic warfare (EW) variant, analogous to the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler. It features prominent wingtip EW pods, and its internal cannon and IRST sensor are removed to accommodate EW equipment. It’s designed to conduct suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions.
- J-15B: An upgraded variant of the baseline J-15, incorporating many of the improvements seen in the J-15T, such as AESA radar, newer avionics, and compatibility with PL-10 and PL-15 missiles, but optimized for STOBAR operations on the Liaoning and Shandong.
Operators and Combat History
- China (People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force – PLANAF): The sole operator of the J-15. It forms the backbone of the air wings of China’s aircraft carriers, including the Liaoning (Type 001) and Shandong (Type 002). It is also expected to operate from the Fujian (Type 003) once that carrier becomes operational, with the J-15T variant specifically designed for it.
Combat History: The Shenyang J-15 has no confirmed combat kills in actual warfare. Its operational history is primarily centered on:
- Carrier Operations and Training: Continuous training and qualification flights from China’s aircraft carriers, building expertise in naval aviation.
- Air Policing and Intercepts: J-15s regularly conduct air policing missions and intercepts of foreign aircraft (e.g., reconnaissance planes) operating in international airspace near China’s declared areas of interest, particularly in the Western Pacific.
- A recent notable incident occurred in June 2025, when Chinese official media released footage showing J-15s from the Liaoning launching to “expel foreign aircraft” believed to be attempting mock attacks on the Chinese carrier group in the Western Pacific, even operating in challenging weather conditions. Japan’s Defense Ministry also reported J-15s from the Shandong conducting “dangerous interceptions” of a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft in June 2025.
Despite challenges related to its heavy weight (which can limit payload and range from ski-jump carriers) and the complexities of carrier operations, the J-15 is a critical asset for the PLAN. It provides China with an essential capability for projecting air power from its growing aircraft carrier fleet, enabling it to operate further from its shores and exert influence in critical maritime regions. While China is also developing the J-35 stealth fighter for future carriers, the J-15 (especially its upgraded CATOBAR-capable variants) will remain a primary fixed-wing combat aircraft for the PLAN for many years to come.
