Recently, the CCTV program "War Eagle Decoded" visited Shenyang Plant of AVIC. Shenfei staff confirmed during an interview that "our aircraft can improve its range and operational radius performance by carrying auxiliary fuel tanks." This is the first time that the "Flanker" series fighter jets have officially announced the ability to carry auxiliary fuel tanks, breaking the traditional perception that this series of aircraft does not need external auxiliary fuel tanks due to sufficient internal fuel. This means that the combat radius of the J-16 could potentially cover the Second Island Chain, which is an incredible capability.

You may ask: Is it really necessary for the J-16 to go this far? Actually, yes, it reflects the strategic design of the Chinese military, and it has significant implications. The J-16's ability to fly farther is the result of its own improvements, weapon loading, and system support.

The J-16's fuel system has been improved, enabling it to carry auxiliary fuel tanks. By mounting auxiliary fuel tanks at the belly centerline fuel interface, the aircraft can directly add thousands of liters of fuel. Analysts point out that the auxiliary fuel tank may use an optimized conformal design to reduce flight resistance, balancing range and maneuverability.

The J-16 can carry up to 12 tons, and it also has 12 hardpoints for carrying things. Even if it carries an auxiliary fuel tank, it still has many hardpoints available to carry air-to-air missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-10, allowing the aircraft to both fly far and have strong firepower.

The twin-seat design ensures that two pilots can take turns operating during long flights, effectively reducing fatigue and maintaining high-intensity combat capabilities, which is a significant advantage over single-seat fighters. Tanker: To fully leverage the J-16's long-range capabilities, it needs to be supported by tankers like the Y-20. Through aerial refueling relay, the Chinese Air Force has already been able to complete flights lasting eight hours, proving that it has the practical capability to cover the Second Island Chain. The extension of the J-16's range has core strategic significance in effectively covering key nodes of the Second Island Chain, reflecting clear tactical needs.

To escort bombers: After equipping with auxiliary fuel tanks, the extended range of the J-16 allows it to provide full-time escort for the H-6 series bombers conducting long-range strike missions, forming a complete airborne attack formation, becoming the "long-range bodyguard" for the H-6.

For the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, its internal fuel may be limited due to the added electronic equipment, making auxiliary fuel tanks a key factor in ensuring its ability to perform long-term electromagnetic suppression missions.

The same logic applies to the J-16D, J-15DT, and J-15T, whose strategic importance is also very significant. The J-16D is specifically used to "suppress enemy air defense systems." It is equipped with large electronic intelligence pods on its wingtips, similar to those on the US EA-18G "Growler." A part of the interior space is occupied by electronic equipment, which reduces the amount of internal fuel the aircraft can carry.

During remote offensive electronic warfare missions, auxiliary fuel tanks can provide fuel, which can power energy-intensive electronic warfare systems for a long time, ensuring that the aircraft can stay long enough in critical airspace to continuously suppress enemy radars and communication devices, creating a safe electromagnetic channel for subsequent attacking formations.

J-15DT/J-15T carrier-based fighters: On the ocean, auxiliary fuel tanks are a "force multiplier" for carrier-based fighters. For carrier-based fighters, the role of auxiliary fuel tanks is particularly crucial. When executing fleet air defense or long-range anti-ship missions, auxiliary fuel tanks allow fighters to patrol in the air for longer periods or strike targets at greater distances.

Especially when there are difficulties in scheduling or recovering carrier-based fighters, the extra fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank makes mission arrangements more flexible and enhances flight safety. The J-15 series fighters have the capability to use buddy refueling pods, and its fuel system was originally optimized for transferring fuel outward, so attaching an auxiliary fuel tank is a natural technical extension.

The strategic significance of the J-16D covering the Second Island Chain for offensive operations is equally significant. The J-16D's operational range can cover the US military base on Guam. This makes it play a crucial role in offensive operations, and its strategic significance goes beyond mere escort or defensive air defense.

In modern warfare, destroying or suppressing an enemy's integrated air defense system is the primary step in an aerial attack. The J-16D, with its powerful electronic reconnaissance and jamming capabilities, can precisely locate and interfere with, disable enemy air defense radars and communication nodes. Combined with anti-radiation missiles such as the YJ-91, it can implement "soft and hard kills" against enemy air defense systems, tearing a hole in the enemy's tightly controlled air defense network, opening a path for subsequent non-stealth attack aircraft (such as the J-16 and H-6).

The offensive role of the J-16D is not limited to air defense systems. By electronically suppressing the command and control, radar, and navigation facilities of the enemy's air force bases, it can interfere with or even block the takeoff, landing, and combat commands of enemy aircraft, effectively suppressing the operation of enemy airfields and weakening their air force deployment capabilities. This capability makes the J-16D a key asset in seizing and maintaining battlefield electromagnetic control.

The J-16D does not operate alone; it forms a powerful combat system with the Chinese Air Force's KJ-500/KJ-3000 early warning aircraft, the J-20 stealth fighter, and long-range air-to-air missiles (such as the PL-17/21 with remarkable range). Within this system, the J-16D is responsible for weakening the enemy's "eyes" and "shield," while other platforms handle surveillance and the decisive strike. This collaborative combat capability has significantly enhanced the overall deterrence and combat effectiveness of the Chinese Air Force within the Second Island Chain.

The J-16's ability to carry auxiliary fuel tanks, as well as the extended range capabilities of the J-16D and carrier-based variants, is far more than a standalone technological upgrade. It represents a key manifestation of the Chinese Air Force and Naval Aviation's efforts to build a "comprehensive defense and offense" strategic force and effectively project combat effectiveness to the Second Island Chain. This capability, combined with the advantages of twin-seat flying, strong multi-role loading capacity, and an aerial refueling system, collectively endows China's air power with unprecedented long-range precision strike and electromagnetic confrontation capabilities.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561398347593712147/

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