Thomas Newdick
A new image provides our best view of the latest addition to China’s growing family of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter series, the J-15DT electronic warfare version. There is also some indication that it may have entered operational service, or got very close to it. Crucially, this electronic attack Flanker is outfitted for operations aboard catapult-equipped aircraft carriers like the Fujian. Evidence emerged recently suggesting this carrier may have begun to host fixed-wing aircraft trials. Overall, progress with the J-15DT program points not only to the scope of China’s carrier aviation ambitions, but also the growing focus on catapult-assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations, which offer many advantages.
The recently emerged photo, seen at the top of this story, shows an airborne J-15DT seen with at least three external electronic warfare pods, two on the pylons under the engine intake ducts and one (likely two) on the wingtips. It wears the low-visibility national and unit insignia and individual two-digit code number (in this case ‘23’) associated with operational J-15s, which suggests that the aircraft could be a part of the frontline People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) inventory. At the same time, we shouldn’t rule out the possibility of image manipulation by official sources or otherwise. Although the catapult launch bar is not visible, the aircraft can be confirmed as the CATOBAR version since it has gray tailfin caps and slightly different wingtip pods associated with this aircraft. Most likely, it also has a two-part front landing gear door. Some reports suggest the J-15DT also has the dorsal airbrake removed.
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