Shenyang J-11
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The Shenyang J-11 is an advanced fighter in the People's Liberation Army Air Force. It is a licensed version of the Russian Su-27. For specifications, please see the Su-27 entry.
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[edit] History
In the 1970s, Shenyang Aircraft Factory proposed to design a light fighter powered by the British Rolls-Royce Spey 512 engine. However the project was abandoned due to difficulty in obtaining the engines. [1]
In 1995, Shenyang Aircraft Industry Company (SAC) entered an agreement with Sukhoi to license-produce up to 200 Su-27s, from Sukhoi-supplied kits. The domestically assembled Su-27 was given the J-11 designation. The J-11 was based on the Su-27SK, a basic export version of the Su-27 fighter. By 2004, the PLAAF determined that the basic J-11 did not meet their needs for better-rounded fighter, and halted the production of J-11s. Approx. 100 J-11's were assembled before production was halted in 2004. The PLAAF realized that the J-11 was limited to air superiority roles while the current airforce favored fighters with multi-role capabilities. The PLAAF later revealed a mock-up of an upgrade J-11C in late 2002. It was equipped with anti-ship and SD-10 Air to Air missile presumably for the role for a maritime fighter-bomber. Currently, the PLAAF has seven divisions equipped with J-11. They are the 1st, 2nd 6th, 7th, 14th, 19th and 33rd.
[edit] Design
Based on the Russian Su-27.
It has been reported that Sukhoi agreed to an upgrade program, allegedly in 2001, so versions made before and after 2002 would have improved radar and attack avionics.
China is also considering the use of its domestic WS-10A engine to replace the Russian Saturn AL-31FN. The new WS-10A, reported to be an impressive 13,200kg thrust turbofan, could be in service in about 5 years. At the Zhuhai 2002 show a photo was released of a J-11 alleged to have been modified to test one WS-10A. [2]
[edit] J-11B
This is believed to be a multirole version which uses more Chinese components, including radar, engine, and missiles. China is interested in reducing its reliance on foreign technology for both cost reasons and a desire to improve its domestic research and design. One regiment of J-11Bs are currently in service.
In 2002, Russian media reported that Shenyang Aircraft Industry Company was looking into replacing Russian-made J-11/Su-27SK components with domestic, Chinese-made parts. Specifically, to replace the Russian-made NIIP N001 radar with Chinese-made Shedian-10, the AL-31F engine with WS-10A, and Russian R-77 AAM's with Chinese-made SD-10 AAM's. One J-11 was photographed with an AL-31F and a WS-10A engine installed for testing in 2002. However, to date there has been no serial production of J-11 with domestic components.
[edit] J-11C
A yet-to-be-built aircraft carrier version, speculated on due to the success of the Russian Navy Su-33.
