AESA Radar-Equipped Chinese J-11B Fighter Jet Seen for First Time

China has displayed a J-11B fighter jet, the mainstay of its air force, with a white nose cone with its official media interpreting it to be new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

“The new radar that can see farther and enable long-range missile use, a move that will significantly boost the Chinese Air Force's capability,” Global Times reported quoting a military expert.

The fighter jet was seen in a Monday China Central Television (CCTV) report on the upcoming 70th founding anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

The report did not specify the radar model but in all probability it is the KLJ-7A AESA radar made by The Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET’s).  A mock-up of the radar had been displayed by NRIET at the Airshow China 2018.

The KLJ-7A is intended for several aircraft including the Pakistani-Chinese JG-17 light fighter jet.

The J-11B jet is reportedly taking part in a combat drill at a desert.  “This indicates its induction into the military. It could also be a test to evaluate capabilities,” the expert said.