Shenyang J - 15 The Shenyang J - 15 ( ) , also known as " Flying Shark " ( , " Feisha " ) , is a carrier - based fighter aircraft in development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and the 601 Institute for the Chinese People ' s Liberation Army Navy ' s aircraft carriers . Rumors initially claimed the aircraft was to be a semi - stealth variant , yet later reports indicate the aircraft is based on the Russian - designed Sukhoi Su - 33 and is fitted with domestically produced radar s and weapon s . An unfinished Su - 33 prototype , the T - 10K - 3 , was acquired from Ukraine sometime in 2001 and is said to have been studied extensively , with development on the J - 15 beginning immediately afterward . While the J - 15 appears to be structurally based on the Su - 33 , the indigenous fighter features Chinese technologies as well as avionics from the J - 11B program . Design and development . Russian military experts have downplayed any significant competition from the J - 15 in the global arms market , with Col . Igor Korotchenko of the Defense Ministry stating in early June 2010 , " The Chinese J - 15 clone is unlikely to achieve the same performance characteristics of the Russian Su - 33 carrier - based fighter , and I do not rule out the possibility that China could return to negotiations with Russia on the purchase of a substantial batch of Su - 33s . " China has actively sought to purchase Su - 33s from Russia on numerous occasions — an unsuccessful offer was made as late as March 2009 — but negotiations collapsed in 2006 after it was discovered that China had developed a modified version of the Sukhoi Su - 27 SK designated the Shenyang J - 11B , in violation of intellectual property agreements . The first J - 15 prototype is believed to have performed its maiden flight on August 31 , 2009 , powered by Russian - supplied AL - 31 turbofan engines . Video and still images of the flight were released in July 2010 , showing the same basic airframe design as the Su - 33 . In July 2011 , it was reported FWS - 10H turbofan engine was chosen for J - 15 fighter , which has takeoff thrust increased to 12 , 800 kg , comparing FWS - 10 turbofan ' s 12 , 500 kg . Other improvements were also made to make it better suited to carrier - based fighter ' s requirement . On May 6 , 2010 , the aircraft conducted its first takeoff from a simulated ski - jump . The reliance on ski - jump launches and the lack of Chinese carrier based refueling capabilities are believed to greatly reduce the effective range of the J - 15 . The J - 15 is reported to use different avionics and systems than the Su - 33 , and uses Chinese - developed technologies , and features various upgrades such as AESA radar , composite and radar absorbent material , MAWS , improved IRST , and new electronics . An article in the China Signpost believes the J - 15 " likely exceeds or matches the aerodynamic capabilities of virtually all fighter aircraft currently operated by regional militaries , with the exception of the U . S . F - 22 Raptor " , alleging that the J - 15 likely possesses a 10 % superior thrust - to - weight ratio and a 25 % lower wing loading than the F / A - 18E / F Super Hornet However , one of the authors of that same article described the J - 15 in another as no game changer ; Hu Siyuan of the National Defense University PLA China has said that " the current weak point of the J - 15 is its Russia - made Al - 31 engines which are less powerful than that of the American F - 35 fighter " . A twin seat variant made its maiden flight on November 4 , 2012 . The general designer of J - 15 is Mr . Sun Cong ( 孙聪 ) . The J - 15 ' s chief designer , Sun Cong of the National Committee of the Chinese People ' s Political Consultative Conference , has said that the J - 15 could match the F / A - 18 in bomb load , combat radius and mobility . However , in a similar statement , more work was required in its electronics and combat systems . He also indicated the lack of mature domestically produced engines as a current weak spot . Rear Admiral Yin Zhuo stated that the aircraft ' s air combat capabilities were better than that of the F / A - 18E / F Super Hornet . However , he also stated that its ability to attack land and sea targets were slightly inferior to the F / A - 18E / F . It is also stated that its electronic equipment meets the standards of those on a fifth generation fighter . Beijing - based Sina Military Network has pointed out the combination of ski - jump operations along with the base airframe of the overweight and underpowered Su - 33 leaves the J - 15 with the choice between carrying maximum fuel and minimal weapons or a modest weapons load and hardly any range . Operational history . On 25 November 2012 , Chinese media announced that two J - 15s had made successful arrested landings on the aircraft carrier " Liaoning " . The first pilot to land on the " Liaoning " was named as Dai Mingmeng ( 戴明盟 ) . PLA Daily newspaper indicated first five naval pilots including Dai conducted J - 15 fighter landing and taking off . Test and training program officials confirmed the carrier - borne aircraft and special equipment for the landing flight had gone through strict tests , and fighter jets can be deployed on the carrier .