Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: China’s development of carrier-based F -15 fighter flight map

reporter/Weidong Xu

U.S. “diplomat” magazine recently published an article about equipment analysis “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier aircraft F -15 overall performance, believes it has strong air and sea combat capability. But the article also pointed out that due to slip off the more limited model, the overall combat capability of -15 F with the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is still not a small gap.

firepower to expand the scope

Chinese Navy, “Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier-based fighter, with its principal executive fleet air defense, sea control to attack the two task. “Diplomat,” the article said, the basic F -15 carrier aircraft designed to determine the characteristics of their own higher fuel loading. If you reduce the fuel loading and weapons load of the premise, the more patterns sliding off, and the protection of the tanker, the F-15 combat radius of 700 km; combined with -15 F can be mounted “Charlie” -12 type air to air missiles, anti-aircraft fire against the carrier battle group is expected to further extend the range of 100 kilometers. Further analysis of the article, once the F -15 and competitors involved in a close fight, a large thrust-weight ratio and its advantages of low wing loading will also be played, is definitely “dangerous opponent.”

“diplomat,” the article also stressed that the Chinese naval surface ships and submarines with a more powerful attack on the ship, but these platforms into attack position for longer periods. If equipped with advanced missiles, F -15 carrier an effective deterrent to function as the center of one’s own aircraft within 500 kilometers of enemy surface ships; more importantly, -15 F in a few minutes into the attack position, which will for the Chinese navy commander to provide more flexible tactical choice.

starting point of choice

Reportedly, the Chinese navy will also deploy the full load of -15 F in the coastal airport, they can after launch to accept the air refueling airspace security, execution of the first wave of air strikes resumed after landing on the aircraft carrier combat. But in fact, this approach was mainly due to the more slippery F -15 take off mode limits the maximum takeoff load. Affected by this, “Kuznetsov” was unable to deploy fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, only by helicopter to provide early warning, which is also its weakness. “Diplomat” in the article, the more slippery the deck by the restrictions, the F-15 combat can not reach the level of U.S. carrier-based aircraft.

However, industry experts pointed out that China is a ‘carrier club “rising star, but the first aircraft carrier on the choice of conversion,” Kuznetsov “was, and work with a heavy aircraft carrier, the starting point of this is clearly not low. More importantly, research and development to maximize the F -15 fighter with domestic experience and technology, research and development will not only help to avoid the risk, can also contribute to the formation of combat equipment as soon as possible. (Source: International Online – “News of the World”)

(edit: SN049)