Chinese electronic attack fighter suspected of copying from the US

China's J-16D version is equipped with electronic warfare equipment blocks quite similar to the US-made EA-18G Growler fighter.

J-16D fighter during test flight

The US Navy's EA-18G Growler electronic warfare fighter is one of the few aircraft tasked with the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) mission by jamming and destroying guidance radar systems. However, China also possesses an equally powerful electronic attack fighter, suspected of being copied from the US with its own Chinese characteristics, according to National Interest.

It is the J-16D model, a variant of the two-seat J-16 fighter. Military expert Sebastien Roblin believes that the J-16 is a copy of the Su-30MKK fighter imported from Russia, with power equivalent to the American F-15E fighter. It is equipped with a new electronic system including a modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. Despite major obstacles in manufacturing reliable jet engines, China has been very successful in manufacturing advanced electronic systems.

The J-16D variant first flew on December 18, 2015. Photos released show that the 30mm cannon and the infrared sensor system (IRST) have been removed, indicating that it is not built for close-range dogfighting. Instead, the J-16D is equipped with a series of antennas and electronic warfare equipment along the fuselage. The nose has been shortened and redesigned to accommodate an AESA radar.

Notably, the electronic warfare pods mounted on the J-16D wings are quite similar to the AN/ALQ-218 pods on the EA-18G Growler. These are electromagnetic sensors that can analyze frequencies and locate radar signal transmitters, thereby jamming and locking targets. It is likely that the J-16D airframe is optimized for anti-radar missiles, as well as carrying 2-3 jamming pods under the wings and fuselage. Each pod is used to counter a different radar frequency band, as well as applying AESA technology.

The US EA-18G is believed to be a copy of China's J-16D.

With all its electronic warfare equipment, the J-16D still has six hardpoints. China has three different types of anti-radar missiles (ARMs) that can be mounted on this fighter. The CM-103 missile has an 80 kg warhead, a range of nearly 100 km, and can hit targets on land and at sea.

Beijing has developed its own YJ-91 variant, a copy of the Russian Kh-31P missile, with a longer range and enhanced anti-ship capabilities. Finally, there is the LD-10, a development of the PL-12 air defense missile. The J-16D can also carry most of the basic weapons, such as the PL-9 and PL-12 air-to-air missiles.

Experts Jeffrey Lin and PW Singer assess that the J-16 D has the mission of protecting bombers and fighters in air operations. In particular, the J-16D will use jammers to disable anti-aircraft fire, before launching anti-radar missiles, eliminating enemy mobile and fixed air defense systems. Designed on a fighter platform, it can still defend itself and protect other aircraft from enemy fighters.

Unique features of the J-16D fighter. Photo: Popsci.

In addition to the J-16D, China operates the domestically designed JH-7 fighter bomber, which is capable of electronic warfare, with a force of about 240 aircraft. Both the JH-7 and its upgraded JH-7A are equipped with jamming pods aimed at various targets. However, this aircraft model does not have electronic warfare equipment integrated into the airframe, which greatly limits its capabilities.

China also possesses a large fleet of aircraft capable of supporting long-range jamming, including 24 Y-8GX and Y-9GX transport aircraft and HD-6 electronic warfare aircraft based on the H-6 bomber.

The appearance of the J-16D shows that China is increasingly interested in specially designed aircraft that will give them full air combat capabilities similar to the US military, expert Sebastien commented.

According to VNE