In modern high-tech warfare,Whoever has the right to information will take the initiativeIt can be seen that electronic warfare has become the key to gaining information superiority on the battlefield.
WhileFor a long time, our country had little power to fight back against electronic warfare
The rarest time was even the best and most effective air defense radar of our army at that timeTeased by the U.S. military, and even moreEvery military district was nearly paralyzed.
Also after this incidentOur country has learned from the painBegin to catch up in this area.
This also has the fourth-generation aircraft that was later known as the strongest side position in ChinaJ-16D electronic warfare aircraft, itsThe cost is comparable to that of the fifth-generation aircraft J-20.
On the other hand, the United States, which is also a military power in the worldRelying on the accumulation of early technology, it took the lead in developing a variety of advanced electronic warfare aircraft.
, itsEA-18G "Growler".Electronic warfare aircraft are even moreIt has been praised by many experts as the fighter with the strongest electronic jamming capability in the world today.
And with the endorsement of these experts, many people subconsciously feelOur J-16D and the American EA-18G "Growler" are not opponents of the same level.
But is that really the case? Who is the strongest of the electronic warfare aircraft? Can the J-16D wash away the shame?
(1) Advantages of the F A-18F platform
EA-18G electronic warfare aircraftIt was specially created on the basis of the successful F A-18E F "Super Hornet" fighter-attack aircraft
F A-18E F as the most advanced fighter, has excellent low-speed maneuverability, high thrust-to-weight ratio, andIt is possible to take off and land on aircraft carriersThis provides great convenience for the application of EA-18G.
Compared to its predecessor, the EA-6B Prowler,The EA-18G has increased survivability and firepower for self-defense.
EA-6B Prowler.
It can carry out electronic countermeasures missions in a high-threat environment, andIt has a certain air combat capability, capable of self-defense and cover other unarmed electronic warfare aircraft.
This all-in-one design concept,So that the EA-18G retains both powerful electronic warfare capabilities and the maneuverability and survivability of a fighter, which greatly improves the survival rate in actual combat.
(2) ALQ-99 jamming pods with full frequency band coverage
The biggest advantage of the EA-18G is its powerful ALQ-99 electronic warfare pod.
This omnidirectional, multifunctional electronic warfare pod operates in the full wavelength band of the radiation spectrumVarious types of radar signals can be detected and located.
As soon as an enemy radar wave is detected,The ALQ-99 can quickly calculate the optimal waveformTargeted and precise jamming of target radars.
The ALQ-99 can also store the characteristic parameters of enemy radarsEstablish a complete library of electronic atlases and implement intelligent interference accordingly.
Its maximum interference distance is 160 km, which basically covers the effective distance of all mainstream surface-to-air defense systems.
The performance of ALQ-99 has reached the world's advanced levelThis gives the EA-18G full electromagnetic control capability.
(3) ALQ-218 omnidirectional receiving system
To further improve the EA-18G's electronic warfare capabilities, the aircraft is also equipped with the ALQ-218 omnidirectional receiving system.
The system consists of several omnidirectional antennasIt can detect electromagnetic wave signals in 360-degree airspace.
ALQ-218 is capable of attacking various sources of radiation in the airspacefor precise positioning,Provide target information for EA-18G's electronic countermeasure attack.
At the same time, it can also listen on its own communication linksDetermine whether the electromagnetic environment is suitable for datalink communication
ALQ-218 is mated to ALQ-99, so that the EA-18G has both powerful electronic countermeasure capabilities and accurate electromagnetic situational awarenessIt can also accurately find and attack enemy targets in complex electromagnetic environments.
(4) Powerful communication countermeasure system
In addition to the radar countermeasures system, the EA-18G also has advanced communication countermeasure capabilities.
Through the use of digital radio frequency mixers as well as high-power jamming devices, the EA-18G can be used for a wide range of radio communication linksImplement selective spoofing interferenceto attack the security and availability of enemy communication networks.
This deprives the enemy commander of the command and control of the troops.
In addition, the EA-18G can also carry out cyber attacksDestroy the enemy's computer system and further paralyze the enemy's command system.
Such means of communication electronic countermeasures have become an important part of modern electronic warfare.
(5) Partially retained air combat capabilities
Despite EA-18GMainly conducts full-time electronic warfare missions, but unlike its predecessor, the EA-6B,It retains part of its air combat capabilities.
The EA-18G can be attached to the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air MissileConduct air combat in self-defense if necessary.
This is more survivable than a purely unmanned full-time electronic warfare aircraft.
Once the mission environment changes,The EA-18G can be quickly replaced** configurationsMeet diverse tactical needs.
This multi-functional design concept makes the EA-18G capable of both electronic warfare and air combatThe overall combat effectiveness of the fleet has been greatly improved.
And the reason why the United States was able to achieve such an achievement on electronic warfare aircraft,It has a great relationship with its early technology accumulation.
Back in the days of World War II,The U.S. military equipped its bombers with improvised clutter jamming equipment, which was used to disrupt German radars.
By the time of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military massively used specialized electronic warfare aircraft, such as EB-66 and other anti-radiation missiles, successfully suppressed the air defense system of North Vietnam.
And the 1991 Gulf War is even more recognizedThe pinnacle of electronic warfare in the US military.
In this war, the U.S. military used a large number of hypersonic anti-radiation missilesDeliver a fatal blow to Iraq's radars.
At the same time, a large number of advanced electronic warfare aircraft, such as the EA-6B Prowler, are also put into battle, in conjunction with other combat unitsThe all-round electromagnetic suppression of Iraq's air defense and command system completely paralyzed Iraq's radar air defense system.
This war has shown the world the tremendous role of electronic warfare in modern warfare, and the US military has thoroughly controlled the information superiority of the battlefield through the use of various high-end electronic equipmentThe smooth progress of air, land, and sea operations has been realized.
This signifiesThe electronic warfare capabilities of the US military have reached new heightsEstablish its information dominance in future wars.
Compared with the U.S. military, China's development of electronic warfare aircraft is significantly slower.
From the early modified models to the imitations in the 90s, and then to the later introduction,China's electronic warfare aircraft have gone through twists and turns to get to where they are today.
1) Early electronic warfare aircraft.
In the 50-60s, China was not yet capable of developing electronic warfare aircraft on its ownSimple modifications can only be carried out on a small number of active aircraft, the installation of electronic reconnaissance and jamming equipment for electronic reconnaissance missions on the other side of the Taiwan Strait and the surrounding areas.
These modified aircraft include Y-6, H-6, etc., due to the limitations of the original platformThe combat radius is short, the load of electronic equipment is small, and the effect on real combat support is limited.
But this is an important starting point for the development of electronic warfare aircraft in China.
2) Imitation experience in the 90s.
In the 90s, China used Y-8, Y-9 and other models to install electronic equipmentAccumulation of experience in electronic warfare in the form of imitations.
However, there is still a certain gap with the world's advanced level.
In the 90s, China began to imitate and produce large transport aircraft, including the Y-8 and Y-9In addition, domestic electronic reconnaissance and jamming equipment will be installed on these aircraft to form imitation electronic warfare aircraft.
Such as:Y-8 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, which is used for reconnaissance of electronic targets in the surrounding area.
These imitation electronic warfare aircraft have accumulated relevant experience in electronic warfare for China.
However, due to the backwardness of electronic technologyThere is still a certain gap with the advanced level of the West.
The imitation electronic warfare aircraft at this stage will play a transitional role in China's electronic countermeasure capacity.
3) Introduce Russian-made models.
Su-30MKK imported from RussiaIt is an important way for China to acquire advanced electronic warfare equipment, which provides a platform and experience for the development of China's electronic warfare aircraft.
At the end of the 90s, China introduced Su-30MKK fighters from Russia.
The aircraft has powerful electronic countermeasures capabilities, and China acquires this platform,An opportunity was provided for the study of electronic warfare technologies
China can understand how it works by reverse-engineering the electronics of the Su-30MKK.
At the same time, the Su-30MKK provides China with experience in the use of an advanced electronic warfare platform.
This gave impetus to the development of electronic warfare aircraft in China,The gap with the advanced level has been narrowed.
After a long period of independent innovation and introduction, digestion and absorption,China has developed the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft with advanced performance.
This electronic warfare aircraft integrates electronic equipment independently developed by China,So that China has a world-class electronic warfare aircraft.
1) Electronic warfare pod configuration
The biggest feature of the J-16D is:It can be attached to 3 high-power interference pods, covering radar, communications and other frequency bands.
These pods are independently designed by China, using linear array chip technology, and the power reaches the kilowatt levelMuch more than the ALQ-18 pod of the EA-99G.
The pod has a built-in power module to achieve on-board power** and enhance reliability.
And the 3 pods work togetherFull-band coverage jamming for all critical radars and communications
2) ** Mount capacity
The J-16D not only has strong electronic countermeasure capabilities, but also has obvious advantages in the best configuration.
It has 12 plug-in points, which can carry a large number of missiles to complete the attack mission.
These include China's new anti-radiation missile, which can be used against adversary radars; It can also be equipped with air-to-air missiles such as airborne Dongfeng missiles to perform air defense tasks.
This powerful payload capability makes the J-16DIt is not only a powerful electronic countermeasure platform, but also has a certain air strike capabilityMore flexibility in use.
3) Radar countermeasure performance
The number of units and transmit power of the J-16D radar is higher than that of the EA-18G,Strong ability to counter enemy radar.
J-16D4 phased array radar units are used, using high-power transmission technology, effectively enhance the ability to resist enemy radar interference.
In contrast, the EA-18G uses an older mechanical scanning radarThe number of units is small, and the anti-interference ability is poor.
The excellent radar system of the J-16D provides the basic guarantee for its electronic countermeasures.
a) Relative disadvantages of EA-18G.
Although the EA-18G is still the world's most advanced electronic warfare aircraft,But its core equipment is still the technology of the 90s of the 20th century.
In the face of China's new digital and networked air defense system,Its counter-effectiveness will be greatly reduced.
The ALQ-18 system of the EA-99G is no longer able to effectively jam the new generation of Chinese radars, which will weaken the electronic information superiority of the US military.
ea-18gThe number is also relatively limited, which is only used by the U.S. Navy, has a higher maintenance and support cost due to its earlier entry into service.
These factors will restrict the large-scale use of EA-18G in future operations of the US military.
(2) The technical advantages of the J-16D
In contrast, the J-16D will have a significant technical advantage in terms of electromagnetic countermeasures capabilities and the carrying capacity of anti-radiation missiles.
China's newly developed digital electronic countermeasure system uses a combination of active jamming and passive countermeasuresIt can be optimized for the frequency and waveform design of the U.S. military's electronic equipment.
Equipped with J-16D in large quantities, it can form a tactical-scale electronic countermeasure groupIt has a suppressive effect on the electronic systems of the US military.
In addition, J-16D powerful anti-radiation missile saturation attack capability,It is also difficult for EA-18G to match.
Overall, the J-16D marks that China has entered into a match with the United States electronic warfare aircraftThe technology divide has been narrowed even further.
(3) China still needs to increase investment
Despite the advanced performance of the J-16D,But Chinese electronic warfare aircraft still lag behind the US military.
It should be noted that this backwardness does not mean that the J-16D is not a class of opponents compared to the American EA-18G.
Rather, it says, no matter whatWe are still lagging behind in terms of practical experience or individual core technologies.
After all, our J-16D entered service only in 2019, while the American EA-18GWe were in service a full decade earlier.
Therefore, from the performance of a single aircraft to the use of formations, China needs to continue to increase R&D investment and improve the combat capability of the system.
Our country needs to constantly innovate the theory of electronic countermeasures, andLearn from the actual combat experience of the US militaryto accelerate the improvement of the quality of electronic warfare.
Only by making a breakthrough in systematic combat capability can we gradually narrow the gap with the US militaryFight for the initiative in electronic warfare.
The contest between Chinese and US electronic warfare planes reflects the overall strength of the two militaries.
Despite the progress of Chinese electronic warfare aircraft,However, the core technology needs to be improved.
China must continue to increase R&D investment and insist on independent innovationConstantly improve the level of operations.
Only by strengthening the country's overall electronic warfare capability will it be able to gain the initiative in the information field in future wars.