HORIZON LINE SHENYANG J-16 ‘LATENT DRAGON’ FIGHTER

🐲 J-16 Skin: The Latent Dragon of Indigenous Power

This artifact comes directly from the J-16 (歼-16) “Latent Dragon” (潜龙 – Qián Lóng), currently China’s most capable and technologically advanced 4.5-generation multirole strike fighter. This piece represents the decisive moment when China’s indigenous aviation industry began to surpass the very Russian designs it was once based upon.

The Flanker Reborn: Superiority Through Innovation

The J-16, originally based on the structure of the Russian Su-30MKK, has been fundamentally transformed into a platform that sets a new standard for the Su-27 Flanker family.

• Technological Supremacy: Aviation experts like Abraham Abrams and Justin Bronk from the Royal United Services Institute note that the J-16 holds distinct advantages over Russian Flanker variants.
• Next-Gen Fusion: The fighter incorporates technologies developed for the J-20 fifth-generation fighter, including more advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and a wider application of composite materialsto reduce weight.
• A Superior Derivative: It is widely considered by far the most advanced Su-27 Flanker Derivative in the world, marking a clear transition away from dependence on Russian technology.

A Multirole Master and Operational Veteran

Developed because the PLAAF found its JH-7 fleet increasingly obsolete, the J-16 provides essential multirole strike capabilities.

• Theater Command: The J-16 is used extensively by the PLAAF to patrol highly contested airspace, including the South China Sea.
• Active Intercepts: This fighter has been involved in significant operational incidents, including the interception of an RAAF P-8 Poseidon in 2022 and a USAF RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft in 2023.

The Artifact: Testing and Technical Detail

This is an exceptionally unique piece with a documented history related to the J-16’s ongoing upgrade and testing program.

• Avionics Tester: This material was obtained from a J-16 airframe specifically used as a Testbed for new avionics equipment recently procured by the PLAAF.
• Specific Component: The fragment is a piece of the horizontal stabilizer slider sleeve, and more specifically, the elevator control wire cover, located just below the rudders.

这件遗物直接来自 歼-16 (J-16) “潜龙” (Qián Lóng)，这是目前中国最强大、技术最先进的 4.5 代多用途攻击战斗机。这块蒙皮代表了一个关键时刻：中国的本土航空工业开始超越其曾赖以借鉴的俄罗斯设计。

侧卫的涅槃：创新铸就的卓越

歼-16 最初基于俄罗斯 Su-30MKK 的结构，但现已脱胎换骨，成为“侧卫”（Su-27）家族的新标杆。

• 技术领先： 皇家联合军种研究所 (RUSI) 的亚伯拉罕·亚伯拉姆斯和贾斯汀·布朗克等航空专家指出，歼-16 在诸多方面优于俄罗斯的“侧卫”衍生型号。
• 下一代融合： 这款战机融合了专为 歼-20 第五代战斗机 开发的技术，包括更先进的有源电子扫描阵列 (AESA) 雷达，以及更广泛应用复合材料以减轻重量。
• 卓越的衍生品： 它被广泛认为是当今世界上最先进的 Su-27 “侧卫”衍生型号，标志着中国摆脱对俄罗斯技术的依赖，实现全面本土化的明确转变。

多用途大师与实战老兵

歼-16 的研发是为了取代解放军空军日益过时的 JH-7 强击机部队，提供了至关重要的多用途打击能力。

• 战区威慑： 歼-16 被解放军空军广泛用于巡逻高度敏感的空域，包括南中国海。
• 主动拦截记录： 这架战斗机参与了重大的作战事件，包括 2022 年对一架澳大利亚皇家空军 P-8 海神反潜机的拦截，以及最近 2023 年对一架美国空军 RC-135 联合铆钉侦察机的拦截。

这件遗物：测试与技术细节

这是一件极为独特的实物，拥有与歼-16 正在进行的升级和测试计划相关的历史。

• 航电测试平台： 该材料取自一架歼-16 机体，该机曾专门用作解放军空军新近采购的航空电子设备测试平台。
• 特定组件： 碎片是水平安定面滑套的一部分，更具体地说，是位于方向舵正下方的升降舵控制钢索盖板。