Shenyang (AVIC) J-16 (Red Eagle)

Multirole 4th Generation Fighter / Strike Fighter Aircraft [ 2013 ]

Based in the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKK, the Shenyang J-16 is an all-modern multirole fighter-bomber introduced for service by China during 2013.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/05/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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The Chinese have held a long-running and beneficial relationship with the Russians that eventually netted the country access to potent military equipment - fighters, tanks, small arms, warships and associated technologies. Even after the fall of the Soviet Empire in the early 1990s, the trend has continued while China has also poured billions of its own into internal developments to help promote a more self-sufficient China in the Asia-Pacific region.

In 1998, the country introduced the Shenyang J-11 twin-engine air superiority fighter which was based on the capable Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKK "Flanker" - nearly 200 of the type have since been produced in China. The Shenyang J-15 then emerged as a carrierborne multirole fighter to serve on China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (16). This aircraft was developed from the existing Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker" line and is expected to be formally introduced sometime in 2016. Yet another Shenyang/Flanker development has arrived as the Shenyang J-16 ("Red Eagle") which is largely based on the J-11 (J-11BS model) with increased operational range, improved avionics suite and a multirole capability. The aircraft was introduced in 2013 and has seen some 24 production examples follow the single flying prototype.

The J-16 was first unveiled in mid-2012 and is primarily intended for the strike-fighter role which allows its crew to engage ground targets as well as air threats. The airframe supports a crew of two seated in tandem and overall dimensions include a length of 72 feet, a wingspan of 48.2 feet and a height of 21 feet. Empty weight is 38,600 lb with a maximum take-off-weight nearing 77,000 lb. Power is served through 2 x WS-10A afterburning turbofans generating 33,000 lb thrust (wet). Performance includes a top speed of Mach 2, range of 1,900 miles and service ceiling of 56,800 feet.

As a strike-fighter, the J-16 series supports both air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions. A 30mm GSh-30-1 internal cannon is standard and afforded 150 projectiles. There are twelve external hardpoints which support PL-9 and PL-12 series air-to-air missiles, standard anti-radiation (anti-radar) missiles, anti-ship weaponry, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs and precision-guided ordnance. An onboard Electronic CounterMeasures suite provides missile and radar tracking/engagement defense as expected while incoming threats are thwarted through onboard chaff and flare dispensers. Several hardpoints are plumbed for jettisonable external fuel tanks for increased operational ranges.

Outwardly, the J-16 mimics the clean, smooth lines of the excellent and proven Sukhoi Flanker product save for a few subtle external differences. It is said that the J-16 makes use of a special radar absorbent coating along its skin to promote a certain stealth aspect though it is not invisible to existing radar systems. Internally, the aircraft is given an indigenously-designed and developed, all-modern AESA (Active, Electronically-Scanned Array) radar system. The engines (WS-10) are also of a local design (though based on the General Electric GE F101 turbofan) and the same that powers the Chengdu J-10, Shenyang J-11 and Shenyang J-15 fighters. The twin powerplants are aspirated through two under-fuselage rectangular intakes under the wingroots, an identifying feature of all Sukhoi Flanker aircraft. Composites are used throughout the overall construction of the aircraft to promote strength with weight-saving measures.

The J-16 is considered to be in the same general class as the American Boeing F/A-18 "Super Hornet", European Eurofighter Typhoon and French Dassault Rafale multi-role aircraft and adds a new multi-faceted participant to growing Chinese military authority in the tumultuous Asia-Pacific region.

The J-16 designation marks basic strike model variants. The J-16D is a reported Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA) variant noted by its wingtip equipment pods and other equipment add-ons. This version also lacks the internal 30mm gun. In this arrangement, the J-16D is comparable to the Boeing F/A/18 "Growler" EWA aircraft used by the United States Navy.©MilitaryFactory.com

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June 2020 - China has begun equipping its J-16 fleet with the new PL-15 active, radar-guided very-long-range air-to-air missile.

October 2021 - The J-16D Electronic Warfare (EW) variant was showcased to the public at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai.

Specifications

Service Year

2013

Origin

China

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

2

Production

105
UNITS

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) - China

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

China

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.

✓ Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

RADAR-CAPABLE

Houses, or can house (through specialized variants), radar equipment for searching, tracking, and engagement of enemy elements.

COUNTERMEASURES

Survivability enhanced by way of onboard electronic or physical countermeasures enacted by the aircraft or pilot/crew.

MULTI-ENGINE

Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.

WING SWEEPBACK

Mainplanes, or leading edges, features swept-back lines for enhanced high-speed performance and handling.

HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE

Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE

Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.

EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE

Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.

SUPER PERFORMANCE

Design covers the three all-important performance categories of speed, altitude, and range.

A2A REFUELING

Capability to accept fuel from awaiting allied aircraft while in flight.

PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM

Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.

CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION

Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.

CREW-MANAGED

Beyond a pilot, the aircraft takes advantage of additional crew specialized in specific functions aboard the aircraft.

ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)

Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.

RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE

Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.

Length

72.2 ft
(22.00 m)

Width/Span

49.2 ft
(15.00 m)

Height

20.8 ft
(6.35 m)

Empty Wgt

39,022 lb
(17,700 kg)

MTOW

77,162 lb
(35,000 kg)

Wgt Diff

+38,140 lb
(+17,300 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Shenyang J-16 (Red Eagle) production variant)

monoplane / mid-mounted / swept-back

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.

Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.

Swept-Back
The planform features wing sweep back along the leading edges of the mainplane, promoting higher operating speeds.

(Structural descriptors pertain to the Shenyang J-16 (Red Eagle) production variant)

Installed: 2 x WS-10A afterburning turbofans developing 33,000 lb of thrust each.

Max Speed

1,522 mph
(2,450 kph | 1,323 kts)

Ceiling

56,759 ft
(17,300 m | 11 mi)

Range

1,864 mi
(3,000 km | 5,556 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Shenyang J-16 (Red Eagle) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

STANDARD:
1 x 30mm GSh-30-1 internal cannon.

OPTIONAL:
PL-15, PL-12, and PL-9 Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs), conventional, laser-guided/precision-guided drop bombs, rocket pods, anti-ship missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and special mission equipment pods (ECM).

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft automatic cannon

Graphical image of an air-to-air missile weapon

Graphical image of a short-range air-to-air missile

Graphical image of aircraft aerial rockets

Graphical image of an aircraft rocket pod

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft guided bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-radar/anti-radiation missile

Graphical image of an aircraft anti-ship missile

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 12

Mounting Points

15

-

9

7

5

3

1

2

4

6

8

-

14

HARDPOINT(S) KEY:

X

15

13

11

9

7

5

3

1

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

COLOR KEY:

Fuselage Centerline

Fuselage Port/Wingroot

Fuselage Starboard/Wingroot

Wing/Underwing

Wingtip Mount(s)

Internal Bay(s)

Not Used

Note: Diagram above does not take into account inline hardpoints (mounting positions seated one-behind-the-other).

J-16 - Base Series Designation; signifies basic strike model.

J-16D - Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA) conversion model; noted by wingtip pods; lacks 30mm internal cannon; first-flight in December 2015.

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Image of the Shenyang (AVIC) J-16 (Red Eagle)

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