MOSCOW (Sputnik) — China's high-end J-11D fighter aircraft, a copy of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 jet, has made a maiden flight, local media reported Thursday.
PHOTO: China's latest 'Flanker' derivative, J-11D, flew today, April 29. AESA-equipped, J-11D could be a Sino-Su-35. pic.twitter.com/DkeTMLCl1r
— CombatAir (@CombatAir) April 30, 2015
Photos uploaded to the Internet on Wednesday show the latest modification of China's domestically-constructed J-11B aircraft, initially designed as a copy of the Soviet-made Su-27, the Sina.com news portal said.
Unlike its predecessor, the J-11D model reportedly has phased-array radar and an air refueling system, and carries PL-10 air-to-air missiles.
The aircraft is produced by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. China purchased the Su-27 manufacturing license from Russia in the 1990s and has been building new versions using domestic parts.
