Details have emerged of China¡¯s next-generation J-11B heavy air superiority fighter aircraft:
a further development of Sukhoi¡¯s Su-27SK (Chinese designation J-11) that ended production
in 2004 ahead of its planned run.
Shenyang Aviation Corporation assembled 95 J-11 fighters from imported Russian components,
although the original project had called for 200 aircraft, and it islikely production was stopped in
anticipation of the improved J-11B.
Although based on the Su-27SK, the latest incarnation has substantial improvements including
a reduced radar cross-section(RCS), a strengthened airframe and an improved fire-control radar, as well as a new flight-control system,glass cockpit and engine.The improvements are planned
to take the aircraft to a fourth generation platform. It is known that theYanliangFlightTest Center
currently has three J-11B aircraft under testing. The most significant change for the aircraft is the reduced RCS; sources claim that this brings the RCS from the 15 m 2 of the Su-27 to
less than 5 m2 and possibly as low as 3 m2 , but it is unlikely that the minimal changes proposed could achieve this
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.
The change is not to the shape of the aircraft but involves modification of the air-intake lip with a
radar wave shield and installation of radar-absorbing materials on the intake interior. The RCS will be reduced with Chinese-made signature-reduction paint. The strengthening of the airframe
- a key aspect since the life expectancy of the aircraft has been criticised by the People¡¯s Liberation Army Air Force - has been achieved through wind-tunnel tests of the weapons carriage.
Additionally, the empty weight of the aircraft has been reduced by about 700 kg through the use of composite materials. It is believed a further 10,000 hours have been added to the life of the aircraft compared with the Su-27SK. The radar installed on the J-11B is believed to be more powerful than the Type 1473 installed on the J-10; it is estimated to be able to track 20 targets and simultaneously lock onto six. ¡á