Shenyang J-11B/BH/BS/BSH Flanker B/C+

New build Shenyang J-11B Flanker B fighter. The missile under the wing is a Chinese clone of the Rafael Python 3  heatseeking missile. The J-11B aircraft are typically painted in different tactical camouflage to the J-11A, with a medium blue grey upper surface, light grey lower surface, black radome, while the half ellipse grey area on the nose is overpainted with uniform camouflage (Chinese internet images).

• Introduction
• Shenyang J-11B Flanker B+ PLAAF Imagery
• Shenyang J-11BH Flanker B+ PLANAF Imagery
• Shenyang J-11BS Flanker C+ Prototype Imagery
• References

Introduction

The controversial J-11B is an unauthorised derivative of the Sukhoi J-11A/Su-27SK, built by Shenyang in China. The aircraft has been the subject of an ongoing dispute between Beijing and Moscow which has caused the suspension of production of the second batch on indigenously manufactured legally licenced J-11A/Su-27SK.

The J-11B is not an exact clone of the Su-27SK, despite the commonly held view this is so. The airframe and engines can be considered to be 'cloned' but the systems are mostly unique to this variant.

Known differences include:

1. A Chinese IRST set located in the centreline position as with the OLS-27 in early Su-27S.
   
2. A planar array multimode radar which resembles the Phazotron Zhuk-27 series. It includes an IFF interrogator array.
   
3. An Onboard Oxygen Generator System (OBOGS). Only the most recent Russian variants have an OBOGS.
   
4. A unique glass cockpit design, with an asymmetric layout quite different from the Su-30MKK/MK2 and Su-27SMK.
   
5. An optical MAWS system claimed to operate in the UV band.
   
6. Dielectric panels on the stabilators not seen on any Russian variant.
   

The differences between the J-11B, Su-27SK and Su-27SMK are sufficiently great that this must be considered a unique offshoot of the Flanker family of fighters, not a subtype of the baseline Su-27SK/J-11A.

Chinese sources claim that the J-11B variant deployed with PLANAF units, such as the 22nd Fighter Regiment, 8th PLAN Fighter Division, is designated the J-11BH.

In 2011 images emerged of the prototype of the J-11BS which is an analogue of the Su27UBK, with the PLANAF variant claimed to be the J-11BSH.

Shenyang J-11B Flanker B+ PLAAF Imagery

Shenyang J-11BH Flanker B+ PLANAF Imagery

Shenyang J-11BS Flanker C+ Prototype Imagery

References

1. Kopp, C., Australian Aviation  - August 2004 - The Sleeping Giant Awakens (PLA-AF/PLA-N)
2. Kopp, C., Australian Aviation  - July 2004 - Asia's Advanced Precision Guided Munitions
3. Kopp, C., Defence Today - January/February 2006  -  Regional Precision Guided Munitions Survey
4. Kopp, C., Defence Today - Sept  2004 - 2010+ Regional Futures
5. Kopp, C., Defence Today - January/February 2006  - Regional Developments 2005
6. Imagery Sources: Xinhua; MilitaryPhotos.net; other Internet sources.