A possible new electronic warfare (EW) variant of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 twin-seat strike fighter made its first flight on 18 December, according to Chinese sources, potentially adding a significant offensive capability to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).Images of the new variant have emerged on several Chinese military web pages, including a 21 December 2015 video report on the popular Ifeng web page. The most salient modifications are two new wingtip pods similar to the Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming Receiver, leading to comparisons with the E/A-18G Growler electronic attack variant of Boeing’s Super Hornet.
After watching the success of US electronic attack efforts in Desert Storm and over Kosovo in 1999, it makes sense that the Chinese would be willing to copy, or at least emulate, US equipment and doctrine for suppression of enemy air defenses.
XBradTC 
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