According to the latest photos taken by netizens, our naval air force is conducting intensive aerial rehearsals for the September 3rd major celebration this year. A KJ-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft and two J-15T carrier-based fighter jets formed an aerial formation. These two J-15T carrier-based fighters are each equipped with two PL-15 medium-to-long-range air-to-air missiles and two PL-10 short-range combat missiles.

The appearance of the J-15T carrying the PL-15 indicates that China's carrier-based fighter jets have completed the upgrade of their air-to-air missiles. The attack range of the J-15T will exceed 300 kilometers and has become the most powerful non-stealth carrier-based fighter jet in the world. In medium-to-long-range air combat, the J-15T can outperform foreign carrier-based aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet" and "Rafale M" thanks to its advanced active electronically scanned array radar and the PL-15 missile.

With the fifth-generation stealth carrier-based fighter jet J-35 not yet fully operational, the J-15T carrier-based fighter jet has already gained the capability to compete with foreign stealth carrier-based fighter jets, aided by the fixed-wing KJ-600 early warning aircraft and advanced air defense weapons.

Previously unveiled J-15T carrier-based fighter jets were equipped with the PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missiles. This includes the recent long-range operations of the aircraft carriers "Liaoning" and "Shandong" in the Western Pacific, where the J-15T on the deck carried the PL-12 medium-range missiles. However, the superior PL-15 medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile did not appear.

Analyzing the situation, it is believed that the reason why the J-15T carrier-based fighter jets on the navy's aircraft carriers do not carry the PL-12 is mainly to clear inventory and meet the needs of warfare. In fact, the performance of the PL-12 missile is not outdated, and it is also a key combat force. Moreover, the upgraded PL-12A medium-range missile has also been unveiled, with a maximum range exceeding 120 kilometers. It is expected that in the coming years, the J-15T fighter jets will flexibly carry both the PL-15 and PL-12 air-to-air missiles based on operational requirements.

The new generation PL-15 air-to-air missile belongs to the most advanced medium-to-long-range air-to-air missiles in the world. It is the first dual-pulse air-to-air missile globally. The dual-pulse engine can ignite multiple times at high altitudes, with a maximum range approaching 300 kilometers and an unescape area extending beyond 150 kilometers. The PL-15 has an enormous range and is endowed with unparalleled combat performance and significant destructive power.

Additionally, as a heavy fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jet, the J-15T carrier-based fighter jet can also carry the PL-17 ultra-long-range air-to-air missile. This is an ultra-long-range air-to-air missile with a size similar to the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile. It is said to have an air-to-air strike range of 500 kilometers and can conduct over-the-horizon interception against high-value targets such as enemy early warning aircraft, refueling aircraft, bombers, and transport aircraft in the open sea, significantly enhancing the Chinese Navy's carrier-based air superiority combat range.

The above image is not real, but it will definitely be realized in the future. There is no problem with the J-15T carrier-based fighter jet carrying the PL-17 ultra-long-range air-to-air missile.

From the first flight of the J-15 in 2009 to the mass deployment of the J-15T in 2025, within just a few years, China has rapidly evolved from scratch into a global leader in carrier-based aircraft. The J-15T carrier-based fighter jet has strong air superiority combat capabilities, effectively responding to aerial threats far away from the aircraft carrier, ensuring the safety of the carrier group from enemy air attacks, and enhancing the ability of the carrier group to control the surrounding airspace.

Compared to the American F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet" carrier-based fighter jet, the Chinese J-15T carrier-based fighter jet has a greater range, larger payload capacity, longer detection distance, and stronger beyond-visual-range combat capabilities, making it the most advanced and formidable heavy carrier-based fighter jet in the world.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522477699240329782/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your opinion below using the [Like/Dislike] buttons.