The U.S. Navy has been working on equipping its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers with stealth carrier-based fighters. At present, the United States has completed the modification of the F-35C stealth carrier-based fighter on several of its aircraft carriers, including the USS Carlson and the USS Roosevelt, which are active near China. The purpose of this measure by the United States is to seek an advantage over China. However, while the United States has demonstrated the F-35C stealth fighter, the PLA is not currently equipped with a fifth-generation stealth carrier-based fighter. Despite various sources that China will equip the J-35 fighter in the future, the J-35 fighter is still in the test flight stage.
Although the J-35 fighter is not yet equipped with the Chinese People's Liberation Army, there is good news from the J-15 carrier-based fighter. The J-15 carrier-based fighter has been in service with the PLA for quite some time, but in the past period of time, it has not been equipped with domestic aero engines, and the ejection version has rarely been unveiled. However, according to ** reports, on February 10, CCTV released a number of pictures, showing the domestic aero-engine version of the J-15 carrier-based fighter and the J-15T carrier-based fighter with catapult capability. These two new J-15 carrier-based fighters are improved versions of the J-15, and they have stronger combat capabilities than the previous ones. Although these J-15 carrier-based fighters cannot achieve stealth, they have a longer range and a greater bomb load. In some missions, stealth fighters are not required, and the combination of fourth-generation and fifth-generation aircraft is also a common configuration. The recent high-profile appearance of the J-15 carrier-based fighter may be the envy of Russia.
The Russian army is armed with a large number of Su-33 fighters for the needs of the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov. Russia is working to restore the combat capability of the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov and hopes to bring it back into the Russian army sequence by the end of 2024. However, even if the USS Kuznetsov returns to service, its carrier-based fighters could still become a new bottleneck for Russia. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia faced great difficulties in the production and manufacture of fighter jets. Although Russia is currently focusing on the production of the Su-35 multi-role fighter and the Su-57 stealth fighter, and even plans to make the Su-57 a carrier-based fighter, it is very difficult for Russia to meet the needs of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Therefore, if Russia can buy 36 J-15 carrier-based fighters from China, it could change the situation. In this way, Russia will be able to meet the needs of the use of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and be more confident in the confrontation with NATO aircraft carriers.
The development of stealth carrier-based fighters plays an important role in international military competition. The United States has been working on equipping stealth carrier-based fighters in hopes of maintaining military superiority around the world. However, stealth is not the only option, and for some specific tasks, the fourth-generation aircraft still has certain advantages. Although China's J-15 carrier-based fighter cannot be stealth, it has a long range and a larger bomb load, providing valuable combat capabilities for the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Russia, on the other hand, is currently unable to meet the needs of aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft due to manufacturing difficulties, so the purchase of Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighters has become a possible option. This will be an opportunity for Russia to make its aircraft carriers more capable of fighting and turn the tide in the international aircraft carrier race. This is an important dynamic that deserves close attention to the evolution of the international military landscape.
As an important part of the modern navy, carrier-based fighters have played a vital role in military competition in recent years. Both the U.S. Navy and the People's Liberation Army of China are committed to improving the combat capabilities of the fleet, especially in the configuration of aircraft carriers. However, with the continuous development of technology and the increase in the strength of various countries, the development of carrier-based fighters is also facing new challenges. This article will focus on the U.S. Navy's stealth carrier-based fighter board plan and the development of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter, as well as the possibility of Russia's purchase of J-15 carrier-based fighters.
The U.S. Navy has been working to improve the combat capabilities of its carrier fleet, particularly in the selection and configuration of carrier-based fighters. With the continuous advancement of technology, stealth fighters have become a key direction in the development of a new generation of carrier-based aircraft. Therefore, the US Navy decided to carry the F-35C stealth carrier-based fighter on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and the relevant modification work has already been completed. Several aircraft carriers, such as the USS Carlson and the USS Roosevelt, have been equipped with F-35C fighter jets to enhance the fleet's combat capabilities. For the United States, stealth fighters are carried in order to seek an advantage in military competition, especially to show strength in front of the Chinese fleet.
However, the PLA is not currently equipped with fifth-generation stealth carrier-based fighters. Although there is information that China will equip the J-35 fighter in the future, the fighter is still in the test flight stage. Therefore, in terms of stealth carrier-based fighters, the United States currently has a large technological advantage.
The J-15 carrier-based fighter of the People's Liberation Army of China has been in service for a long time, but in the past period of time, the fighter was not equipped with domestic aero engines, and the ejection version was rarely unveiled. However, recent reports suggest that China has made public a domestically produced aero-engine version of the J-15 carrier-based fighter as well as a catapult-capable J-15T carrier-based fighter. These two new J-15 carrier-based fighters are improved versions of the J-15 and have stronger combat capabilities. Although these fighters cannot be stealthy, they have a long range and a large bomb load. In some missions, stealth fighters are not necessarily needed, and the combination of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft is also a common configuration. Therefore, the development of the Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighter may bring jealousy to Russia.
The Russian army is currently armed with a large number of Su-33 fighters for the needs of the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov. Russia is working to restore the combat capability of the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov, which it plans to return to service by the end of 2024. However, even if the USS Kuznetsov returns to the army sequence, its carrier-based fighters could still become a bottleneck for Russia. Russia is facing great difficulties in the production of fighters. Despite the fact that Russia is currently focusing on the production of the Su-35 multi-role fighter and the Su-57 stealth fighter, and even plans to make the Su-57 a carrier-based fighter, it is very difficult to meet the needs of the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Therefore, it is possible that Russia will consider purchasing Chinese J-15 carrier-based fighters to meet the needs of aircraft carriers. This will provide Russia with more powerful combat capabilities and more confidence and competitiveness in the confrontation with NATO aircraft carriers.
The development of stealth carrier-based fighters plays an important role in international military competition. The United States has been working to equip it with stealth carrier-based fighters in order to maintain its military superiority around the globe. However, stealth is not the only option, and for some specific tasks, fourth-generation fighters still have certain advantages. Although China's J-15 carrier-based fighter cannot be stealth, it has a long range and a large bomb load, providing valuable combat capabilities for the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Russia, on the other hand, is currently unable to meet the demand for aircraft carrier-based aircraft due to manufacturing difficulties, so the purchase of China's J-15 carrier-based fighter may be an option. This will provide Russia with more powerful combat capabilities and change the situation in the international aircraft carrier race. This is an important dynamic that deserves close attention to the evolution of the international military landscape.