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J-15T fighter launches from Fujian carrier with four anti-ship missiles in first observed loadout
An image shows a Chinese J-15T launching from the Fujian with four anti-ship missiles, the first such load observed. The catapult-equipped carrier enables heavier payloads than previous ski-jump designs.
Jul 9, 3:27 PM·1m read1 source
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An image shows a J-15T fighter launching from China's Fujian aircraft carrier while carrying four YJ-83K anti-ship missiles. The photo marks the first time the variant has been seen with that weapons load. The Fujian is the first People's Liberation Army Navy carrier equipped with catapults.
The J-15T carried a total weapons load of roughly 6,400 pounds from the four missiles, each weighing around 1,600 pounds. The YJ-83K is a subsonic, radar-guided, turbojet-powered anti-ship missile with a reported range of around 112 miles. It carries a 360-pound high-explosive, semi-armor-piercing warhead and cruises at 65-100 feet before descending to 16-24 feet in the terminal phase.
The J-15T is equipped for both catapult-assisted takeoff and short takeoff operations. It uses domestically produced WS-10H turbofan engines. Previous STOBAR J-15s launched from the Liaoning or Shandong carried at most two YJ-83Ks and four air-to-air missiles.
The J-15T has also been noted carrying the long-range YJ-15 anti-ship missile and a buddy refueling pod. A J-15DT electronic warfare variant has been observed catching the wire on the Fujian. The J-15DT is intended to operate in a role similar to the U.S.
Navy EA-18G Growler.
