The J-16, which entered service in 2013, is a medium-range twin-jet fighter aircraft. It is designed to perform both air superiority and ground attack missions. The aircraft has been deployed since 2016 in the South China Sea where it seeks to consolidate Beijing’s claims over the disputed territory.
The J-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that can be used to take out enemy fighter jets and ground targets. It was developed as an upgrade to the earlier J-6, which was itself developed in the 1960s. The J-16 has several notable features that make it a capable platform for use by the Chinese Air Force:
- Its large internal fuselage allows it to carry a considerable amount of fuel and armaments, making it ideal for long flights over land or sea.
- Its ability to carry anti-ship missiles makes it useful for attacking enemy ships from afar before they reach their intended targets.
An anti-ship missile is a missile fired from an aircraft to destroy enemy vessels. It can be launched at long range, allowing the attacker to strike at ships without being seen by them first. The J-16 has been equipped with a variety of air-to-surface missiles, including anti-ship and ground attack missiles, giving it significant versatility in combat situations.
The aircraft can carry a large payload, up to 8 tons of ordnance on 12 external pylons, and even 16 short-range air-to-air missiles (the Russian equivalent of the American AIM-120).
The aircraft has been upgraded with new electronics, making it more capable than ever before. The cockpit is equipped with an integrated glass cockpit display system that includes head-up displays (HUD), helmet-mounted sights (HMS), navigation systems, and weapon aiming displays (WAD).
The J-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft, meaning it can be used for both air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. The aircraft can carry out electronic warfare missions, which can be particularly useful for China’s overall military strategy.
The Chinese Air Force has been using the J-16 since the early 2000s and will continue using it until 2020 when they introduce newer fighter jets into service.
Overall, the J-16 is an impressive piece of technology. Its ability to mount long-range anti-ship missiles means it can engage enemy vessels from afar, while also supporting electronic warfare missions. It also has plenty of room in its large fuselage to carry a considerable amount of fuel and armaments. The J-16 may not have the same reputation as some other aircraft out there like the F-35 or F/A Super Hornet, but it nonetheless boasts a wide variety of capabilities that make it one of China’s most important military assets in its arsenal.
When looking at the J-16, it is clear that it is an advanced aircraft with many purposes in the Chinese Air Force. The J-16 incorporates many new technologies such as a large AESA radar, high thrust engines, and improved avionics. It will enter into replacing older J-8 aircraft soon and will lead the way for even newer fighters coming into service. What direction China wants to take their aviation industry is currently unknown but this data will show if the J-16 will have a future in Chinese Aviation.
In the end, the J-16 would fare better than most aircraft introduced to the PLA during that time period. It was considered obsolete by most of the world, but neither China nor Pakistan were willing to see it go. Both countries would go on to deploy the aircraft over Syria in defense of their interests.