China Builds Its Own'Wild Weasel' To Suppress Air Defenses, The J-16D

While China's Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) operations rely on heavy air defenses, Chinese air force planners may also have to account for enemy surface to air missiles, all the more with Taiwan and Japan embarking on a new buildup of missile shields. In December, one of the responses was revealed: the Shenyang J-16D.
The J-16D is a J-16/Su-30 multi-role fighter optimized for "Wild Weasel" missions. Starting in the Vietnam War, Wild Weasels are fighters designed to take on surface-to-air missile batteries in a SEAD (Supression of Enemy Air Defense) role. Armed with anti-radiation missiles (which lock on and target radars by their electronic emissions) and electronic intelligence and electronic warfare jammers, they are designed to engage and suppress defenses, opening the way for traditional air attacks.
Compared to the baseline J-16, the J-16D has removed its Infrared Search Tracking sensor and 30mm cannon to accommodate more electronics inside its fuselage. It also has several antennas mounted around its fuselage. The J-16D also two large ELINT pods on its wingtips, similar to those on the E/A-18 Growler, to collect enemy radar and electronic activity. Additionally, the J-16D has smaller radome, likely to include an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar optimized for electronic warfare, including signals collection and jamming. The J-16D will be fitted with large AESA jamming pods, a development of current jammers on JH-7A attack aircraft; its attack ability will come from YJ-91, LD-10 and other anti-radiation missiles.
popsci

China will have to purchase Su-35 fighters To Fill The Gaps In Its Air Force

China needs Russian Su-35 fighters, despite the fact that Beijing has carried out flight testing of it own latest fighter J-11D.
J-11D was derived from J-11B, which is analogue of Su-27 manufactured in China. Probably the most outstanding feature of J-11D is the fact that it is fitted with avionics installed on the more advanced J-16 fighter. The jet is fitted with radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA).
China needs Su-35 in order to fill the gap in the fleet of its air forces. Even if China increases output to two J-11 jets per month it won’t be enough to reduce the gap between Chinese air forces and air forces of other countries. In addition, it is unclear, when J-11 will be able to compete with other fifth-generation fighters.
Su-35 is the “4++”-generation fighter derived from Su-27.
ruaviation

First mass production J-16 conducts test flight

China's first mass production J-16 fighter conducted its first test flight.
The difference between the mass production J-16 and the prototype aircraft with the serial number 1601 is that the former does not have an airspeed tube. The number 0102 indicated on the engine intake of the 1602 also shows that the number of J-16s produced may be limited. Meanwhile, it is possible that units of PLA Air Force or Navy Air Force may already be equipped with the some of the advanced fighters, designed based on the Chinese J-11, for operational tests.
China has devoted massive resources to developing the precision attack capability of its air force. Unlike the J-11, which was mainly designed for aerial combat, the J-16 can now carry munitions and missiles for ground attack missions. The fighter is also capable of carrying more ground attack munitions than any other type of fighter in China.
In addition, the J-16 is also equipped with active electronically scanned array radar and a helmet mounted display and sight system. This new fighter-bomber is likely to fill a gap between China's fourth-generation fighter and fifth-generation stealth fighters.
wantchinatimes

China's newest fighter jet J-16 revealed online

China's most advanced fighter jet, the J-16, has been revealed online in flight.
The J-16 shown online was believed to be a prototype of the jet fighter because it carries the serial number "1601."
It marked the first time that the warplane was shown in flight.
Military analysts speculated that the plane should still be in the test-flight stage.
Some Chinese netizens said the plane is undergoing tests at a People's Liberation Army flight test and training base in Hebei province in northern China.
The plane was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corp for the use of the PLA Navy's aviation corps.
Military analysts said the J-16 was an improved version of Russia's Su-30MKK. It can carry a maximum load of 12 tons of bombs or missiles, including YJ-62 and YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.
Previous media reports said the J-16's navigation electronics were much better than those on the J-15, and expected the new jet to gradually replace the J-15 in maritime battles.
One of the stories drawing the greatest attention was China's new aircraft carrier — the Liaoning — making its first long-distance voyage to the South China Sea on a testing and training mission.
Other milestones to be highly publicized were the test-firing of the land-based Dongfeng 41 multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile and the test-firing of the submarine-launched JL-2 missile.
wantchinatimes