China unveils upgraded Carrier-Borne J-15 Fighter

China recently revealed an upgraded J-15 ship-borne fighter jet with enhancements to its missile pylons, infrared search and track system (IRST), an AESA radar and ability to operate with a catapult launch system.

The upgraded carrier-borne jet has wrapped up test flights, the semi-official Global Times reported over the weekend. The aircraft will be able to operable on carriers that use ski-jump aircraft ramps and new carrier such as the Shandong that uses catapult launching system.

The Shandong embarked on a voyage in the South China Sea in early winter for realistic combat-oriented exercises including the arrested landing of fighter jets, the People’s Daily reported.

Shenyang Aircraft Co, the aircraft’s manufacturer, put up images of the upgraded J-15 on its social media account. The photos show a J-15 fighter jet taxiing on a runway under the assistance of a tug truck. This J-15 has many differences compared with previous ones, and this means it is an upgraded version, eastday.com, a Shanghai-based news website, reported.