A Shenyang J-15D electronic warfare (EW) aircraft flies over Zhuhai in preparation for the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China 2024) on 9 November 2024. (VCG via Getty Images)
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has unveiled its new Shenyang J-15D carrierborne electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, just days after announcing its induction of the catapult-capable J-15T carrierborne multirole fighter.
Designated as the J-15D, the EW aircraft made its debut appearance at Airshow China 2024, which is being held in Zhuhai from 12 to 17 November.
In a statement published on its website on 8 November, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) said that the J-15D is “tasked with performing electronic warfare operations, similar in broad form and function to the United States Navy's EA-18G Growler”.
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a two-seat electronic attack variant of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet capable of providing stand-off, escort, and self-protection jamming.
Images of the J-15D at Zhuhai show the aircraft equipped with two underwing EW pods and two additional pods of a differing configuration in ventral hardpoints. While the loadout of the pods on the J-15D is similar to that of the PLA Air Force's (PLAAF's) J-16D EW aircraft, the J-15D appears to be equipped with newer EW pod systems. The underwing and ventral pods almost certainly operate in different bands, potentially giving the aircraft a high-, mid-, and low-band jamming capability.
The J-15D is also equipped with a new type of wingtip tactical jamming receiver (TJR) pods not present on the earlier J-16D, which potentially entered PLAAF service in 2020–21.
Based on images released by the Chinese MND and on Chinese social media, Janes
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