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The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Airforce carrier Liaoning Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Liaoning (PLAN) has undergone significant upgrades with its onboard ShenYang J-15 fighter aircraft carrying out various operations. The ShenYang J-15 is the main fighter aircraft utilized onboard the carrier Liaoning. Liaoning (Liaóning Jìniàn Jī) is a PLAN aircraft carrier. The first aircraft carrier commissioned into the PLAN, Liaoning, was originally acquired from Ukraine in 2001 and was said to have undergone extensive modifications, re-verification of systems, and revamped with aircraft-carrier-specific operations.

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier boasts a crew of around 36 aircraft aircrews including 24 ShenYang J-15 fighter aircraft pilots, six Chengdu Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter pilots, four Chengdu Z-18J airborne early warning (AEW) helicopter pilots, and two Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopter pilots. The fighter deck is able to accommodate up to 50 warplanes, including gear aircraft and fixed-wing airborne early warning helicopters, followed by more types of warplanes and fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft. Operations have not been without incidents, more specifically when it caught fire twice on separate occasions.

The ShenYang J-15 fighter’s main armaments include from the carrier rails: two YJ-83K anti-ship missiles, two short-range PL-8 air-to-air missiles, and four 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs, but a weapons payload of up to 12 tons would be possible, reversing engage firing strikes and reconnaissance purposes. Also a fixed cannon pod could be mounted underneath the fuselage providing firepower with a home-based air-to-air missile. It’s powered by two Shenyang WS-10A engines, which are capable of up to 2,410 kilometers per hour and fly for distances of up to 3,500.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning would carry 36 aircraft including 24 ShenYang J-15 fighters, six Changhe Z-18F anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, four Changhe Z-18J airborne early warning (AEW) helicopters, and two Harbin Z-9C rescue helicopters. Other personnel would have noted the installation of Type 348 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar (for antennas) and Sea Eagle radar (arrays), as well as Radaur radars and Sea Age R-scar radars. The air defense system consists of the Type 1130 CIWS and the HQ-10 missile system. The anti-ship missile tubes would have been on both sides of the airframe and fixed underwing pylons. Operations, spotted by aviation enthusiast, would have noted for long periods of up to 2,410 kilometers per hour and flying up to 3,500.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighter aircraft could have carried R-77 active radar homing medium-range air-to-air missiles, fire-up equipment, and fouled gear, with two YJ-83K anti-ship missiles and two short-range PL-8 air-to-air missiles.