China's new electronic warfare variant of the J-16 fighter reportedly made its maiden flight

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World Defense & Security News - China
 
 
China's new electronic warfare variant of the J-16 fighter reportedly made its maiden flight
 
A dedicated electronic warfare variant of the Shenyang J-16 strike fighter has been unveiled by China's People's Libeartion Army Air Force (PLAAF) last week. The aircraft made its maiden flight on December 18, 2015, and is in many aspects similar to the US-made EA-18G Growler EW fighter aircraft.
     
China new electronic warfare variant of the J 16 fighter reportedly made its maiden flight 640 001China's new J-16 electronic warfare combat aircraft performed its maiden flight
(Source: Internet)
     

Some differences appeared according to pictures released on internet. The J-16 EW variant is fitted with side-facing arrays near its radome and also extra arrays emplaced throughout its fuselage. Its wingtip jamming receiver pods seem similar to the AN/ALQ218. The infra-red search and track (IRST) system and the 30 mm gun have been removed.

The Shenyang J-16 is an upgraded strike variant of the J-11BS, featuring a 1760-channel AESA radar from the 607th Institute, upgraded WS-10 engines, a next-generation cockpit, improved ECM/EW capabilities, increased use of composites and RAM, strengthened hardpoints, and an improved fly-by-wire system, among other enhancements.
     
China new electronic warfare variant of the J 16 fighter reportedly made its maiden flight 640 002China's new J-16 EW wingtip jamming system
(Source: Internet)