With the continuous development of China's aviation industry, the J-15 carrier-based aircraft, as a representative of China's aircraft carrier carrier-based fighter, has always attracted much attention. However, it has recently been reported that the J-15 carrier-based version has finally been reequipped with a domestic aviation engine, but this refitting is much later than the land-based type, which has raised questions. What is the problem behind this situation?
First of all, we need to understand the development history of the J-15 carrier-based aircraft. The J-15 is China's first carrier-based multi-role fighter, developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. Ten years ago, the J-15 successfully took off and landed on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning for the first time, and was officially installed in the Navy's carrier-based aviation. Prior to this, the J-15 initially used the AL-31F aviation engine from Ukraine. This was because China did not have the advanced aviation engine suitable for carrier-based aircraft independently developed at that time.
However, with the development of China's aviation industry, breakthroughs have gradually been made in the R&D and production of domestic aviation engines. Recently, the J-15 carrier-based model has finally been reequipped with a domestic aviation engine, marking an important step in the development of China's aircraft carrier-based aircraft. But at the same time, public opinion has raised questions about the fact that the J-15 carrier-based version is later than the land-based type.
This time difference can involve several factors. First of all, the refitting of the carrier-based version involves more technical challenges. Compared with land-based aircraft, carrier-based aircraft require higher requirements for the weight, volume, and stability of the engine to adapt to the complex situation of the shipborne environment. Therefore, it is more difficult to develop carrier-based aircraft carriers, and it may take longer to overcome technical difficulties.
Secondly, the development of carrier-based aircraft is limited by the progress of aircraft carrier construction and supporting capabilities. The construction of aircraft carriers requires a lot of time and resources, and China's aircraft carrier construction and sea trials are relatively slow, which may affect the development and refitting progress of carrier-based aircraft carriers. In addition, the supporting capacity of the aircraft carrier will also have an impact on the development of carrier-based aircraft, and if the supporting facilities of the aircraft carrier are not perfect, the use efficiency of the carrier-based aircraft may be limited.
In addition, the J-15 carrier-based version is later than the land-based type, which also reflects the development level of China's aero engine technology. Aero engines have always been the shortcomings of China's aviation industry, but in recent years, China has made major breakthroughs in the field of aero engines, and the performance and reliability of domestic aviation engines have gradually improved. The move to replace the domestic aviation engine shows the progress of China's aviation industry in the field of aviation development, but it also highlights the challenges and difficulties of China's aviation engine technology in the application of carrier-based aircraft.
Technically, carrier-based aircraft engines need to have higher durability, humidity resistance and corrosion resistance to adapt to the complex conditions of the shipborne environment. In addition, carrier-based aviation also needs to have higher power output and reliability to ensure the safety and stability of carrier-based aircraft during take-off and landing and operations. This kind of technical challenge requires the joint efforts of Aviation Industry Corporation of China and other relevant units to increase investment in technology research and development and innovation to improve the performance and reliability of carrier-based aviation engines.