(Source: China Military Online) 2015-09-15
CHANGCHUN, Sept. 15 (ChinaMil) — The PLA Air Force J-11B fighters have been equipped with China-made engines, according to Yang Dechun, a pilot assigned to a division under the PLA Air Force.
The PLA Air Force held an aviation open-day activity in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin province, on September 10, 2015, during which a J-11B fighter of the PLA Air Force conducted three demonstration flights.
Yang Dechun introduced that, “first, the J-11B fighter flew over the reviewing stand at low altitude and high speed, which reflects its low-altitude penetration capability and successful penetration can ensure its own survival, and then, it quickly ascended and then conducted a 2.5-circle roll flight during ascending, which showcases the J-11B fighter’s lateral turning flight performance.”
“After that, the J-11B fighter made an ultimate hover demonstration at an altitude of 300 meters, which exhibits its horizontal maneuvering performance, and such a performance can allow the J-11B fighter to win the flight-attitude superiority in a short period of time,” Yang Dechun continued.
“Finally, it flew over the reviewing stand again at low altitude and low speed, which shows its slow flight performance,” Yang Dechun added.
The configuration of J-11B fighter is greatly upgraded as compared with the previous fighter models, for example, the very simple human machine interface in its cockpit possesses very powerful functions and can help pilot perform all-weather combat missions against air, sea and ground targets, Yang Dechun introduced.
Yang Dechun expressed that J-11B fighter’s fire-control system can carry China’s current most advanced short-range and medium-range air-to-air missiles, and in addition, it can also carry the new-type air-to-ground ammunition, allowing it to make a certain breakthrough in enhancing its air-to-ground attack capability.
Above all, the J-11B fighters have been equipped with China-made engines, and “Our pilots feel most proud that the J-11B fighters are equipped with completely China-made engines,” Yang Dechun said.
The biggest wish of the pilots of the PLA Air Force is that their fighters are equipped with more and better engines so as to allow the PLA Air Force’s combat capability to be further upgraded, added Yang Dechun.