J-16D is a high-performance specialized electronic warfare aircraft independently developed by China, based on the J-16 twin-seat heavy multi-role fighter.
J-16D Electronic Warfare Fighter
There are three reasons for choosing the J-16 as the platform. First, the tasks of a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft are quite demanding, and a twin-seat design is a basic requirement. The J-16 happens to have a twin-seat configuration.
Second, the J-16 is equipped with China's independently developed active electronically scanned array radar, digital avionics system, and high-performance turbofan engines, and adopts some of the manufacturing technologies of fifth-generation fighters. The overall technical level reaches that of late-stage improved fourth-generation fighters, comparable to the latest F-15EX of the U.S. Air Force, and possesses world-class air-to-air, air-to-ground/sea combat capabilities.
Third, the J-16 has a longer range, greater payload capacity, and larger internal electronic equipment volume, making its platform performance exceed that of the F/A-18F, the base platform of the current U.S. Navy's EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft. Therefore, selecting the J-16 as the platform laid a solid foundation for the overall technical and tactical performance of the J-16D.
Although the J-16D looks similar to the J-16 in appearance, there are obvious differences considering the needs of electronic warfare. The single 30mm cannon and infrared search and track system originally configured on the J-16 have been removed from the J-16D, freeing up space for more electronic equipment. This is the most obvious visual difference between the J-16D and the J-16.
The radar dome at the front of the J-16D has been redesigned, with the length of the radar cover reduced by nearly one-third, thereby increasing the space for the rear radar and avionics compartment, improving the space utilization by at least 20%. This design may indicate that the radar used by the J-16D is different from that of the J-16.
J-16D Electronic Warfare Fighter
The most significant advancement in electronic warfare technology for the J-16D is solving the problem of high-precision omnidirectional radiation source positioning. Previously, the radar warning systems of fighter aircraft could only detect the pulse signals of fire control radars of enemy aircraft in the air, indicating that the pilot might be locked or tracked by an enemy aircraft. However, this system was unable to accurately locate ground or sea-based radiation sources, limiting the aircraft's ability when performing air defense suppression missions.
The J-16D is equipped with new electronic pods on both wing tips, similar to the AN/ALQ-218 (V)2 on the EA-18G. The upper part of the pod is equipped with four large knife-shaped antennas, capable of an advanced omnidirectional radiation source positioning system. This system uses the principle of short baseline interferometry, enabling full spectrum, omnidirectional precise positioning of electromagnetic emission sources, while also allowing the onboard electronic jamming pods to perform "tracking-targeting interference." This technology is currently the most advanced airborne tactical reconnaissance warning system, with only the United States and China possessing this capability.
J-16D Electronic Warfare Fighter
With this electronic warfare pod, the J-16D can precisely determine the location of enemy ground or sea-based radiation sources within the operational area during air defense suppression missions, thus selecting key targets for electronic suppression or destruction using anti-radiation missiles, significantly enhancing its electronic warfare capabilities.
Like the EA-18G, the J-16D needs to carry different types of jamming pods to achieve interference and suppression of various radars or communication systems. In the static display at the China Aviation Exhibition, the J-16D was equipped with four large jamming pods, two mounted on the mid-wing and the other two under the engine inlet. Each pod is approximately 5 meters long, rectangular in shape, with interference transmission antennas at both the front and back, providing omnidirectional jamming capabilities. Notably, the two jamming pods mounted under the engine inlet have a noticeable protruding design, indicating they are equipped with side-directional interference antennas, specifically targeting certain radar bands and threat directions.
Although the specific performance of the pods is not publicly disclosed, based on the rapid development of Chinese electronic technology and operational requirements, it can be inferred that their technical level has reached world-class standards. The jamming pods on the J-16D differ from the ALQ-99 electronic jamming pods used by the U.S. EA-18G, as they do not have their own power generation system, so their power is provided by the aircraft platform.
With technological advancements, "precise interference" has become the mainstream mode. Low-power interference beams can effectively interfere with and suppress targets without affecting the normal operation of other frequency bands, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the power demand on the platform. Therefore, the J-16D's electronic jamming pods do not face power shortages.
The J-16D is equipped with a variety of advanced communication and information systems, including a multi-platform information dissemination system, tactical communication terminal, tri-service high-speed data link system, high-speed satellite communication system, and tactical/battlefield network communication system, which provide strong electronic surveillance and communication interference capabilities. Like the EA-18G, the J-16D has the capability of "active interference cancellation," enabling precise suppression of enemy communication and radar systems.
The engine nozzle design of the J-16D differs from the original J-16, possibly to enhance the engine's power generation capability. As a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft, the J-16D has extremely high power demands, especially with the combined effects of active electronically scanned array radar, numerous avionics systems, and high-power jamming pods, ensuring that the aircraft platform can provide sufficient power is crucial.
J-16D Electronic Warfare Fighter at the Zhuhai Air Show
The J-16D is equipped with eight external mounting points, four fewer than the J-16. However, even after carrying four large electronic jamming pods, the J-16D still has four external mounting points available for other weapons. These mounting points are all heavy-duty ones, capable of carrying weapons weighing over 500 kilograms, which is a clear advantage compared to the EA-18G. Therefore, the J-16D can carry two PL-12 or PL-15 medium-range air-to-air missiles and two anti-radiation missiles while carrying electronic jamming pods. If enhanced anti-radiation capability is needed, the air-to-air missiles can be replaced with more anti-radiation missiles, a capability that the EA-18G cannot achieve.
The successful development of the J-16D marks the birth of another high-tech aircraft that breaks through foreign technological monopolies, following the J-20. Its powerful electronic attack capabilities will combine with the air superiority and information warfare capabilities of the J-20 stealth fighter, significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of the Chinese Air Force. This also indicates that the Chinese Air Force has taken a key and solid step forward in building a "strategic air force that is both offensive and defensive."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7544289375429853746/
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