Shenyang J-16

The Shenyang J-16 (Chinese: 歼-16) is a strike fighter designed and manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, China. This is a multi-role fighter/bomber variant based on the J-11BS with longer range and upgraded avionics, a concept similar to F-15E Strike Eagle. The first few photos of J-16 were published on Chinese internet websites around June 2012. The J-16 has a slightly different vertical stabilizer compared to J-11 fighter or J-15 naval fighter. It is also equipped with missile pylons for Chinese PL-8 air-to-air missiles, another difference compared to earlier J-11 variants.

Like the J-11BS and the J-15, the fighter features numerous enhancements such as an AESA radar from the 607th institute (the same manufacturer of the AESA found on the J-11B and J-15), composites, radar-absorbent material, missile approach warning system, WS-10 engine, electronic countermeasure upgrades, and more.

According to media reports, China developed the Shenyang J-16 fighter based on the Shenyang J-11B airframe, with modifications from the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKK that was sold to China in 2000.

The J-16 is able to carry a full range of indigenous Chinese equipment including super and subsonic anti-ship missiles, air to air missiles, satellite guided bombs, cruise missiles and electronic countermeasure (ECM) jammers. It has been speculated that the J-16's WS-10 engines lack sufficient power for the aircraft, given their design faults and the greater weight of the airframe compared to other Chinese Su-27 variants, and that an engine upgrade will be needed to allow the new plane to meet its design potential.

As of April 2014, the PLAAF has taken delivery of a regiment of J-16s.

Variants

 * J-16: Strike variant.
 * J-16D: Electronic warfare variant. It has wingtip pods resembling the AN/ALQ-218, up to ten fuselage and wing hardpoints, and no IRST or 30 mm cannon. It reportedly made its first flight in December 2015.

Users

 * People's Republic of China
 * People's Liberation Army Air Force

Related

 * Shenyang J-11
 * Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark

Comparable Aircraft

 * Dassault Rafale
 * Eurofighter Typhoon
 * Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
 * Grumman F-14D/E Tomcat/Supercat
 * McDonnell-Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle
 * Sukhoi Su-30MKK
 * Sukhoi Su-34
 * Sukhoi Su-35