CN / OPFOR J-11 Flanker B+ (RWR: 27)

//Public Intel-Report
Last updated: 20250228

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In-DCS Unit View:

J-11
RWR: 27
Originators Designation: 歼-11
NATO Reporting Name: Flanker B+
Description:
The J-11A is a license build Su-27 made by Shenyang and given the reporting code of Flanker B+ as its NATO reporting name. This version of the Flanker shares a great deal of commonalities with the Su-27S.

Manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation . The aircraft is operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

To defeat the J-11 in DCS, pilot should prioritize BVR engagements using superior radar and AMRAAMs, maintain energy through vertical maneuvers, and exploit the J-11’s low-speed sluggishness in WVR fights. Discipline, situational awareness, and precise weapons employment are key to overcoming the J-11’s brute strength and missile capacity.

• Strengths: Exceptional high-speed maneuverability, powerful engines (Shenyang WS-10), large missile loadout including RU missiles (R-27 and R-77), and strong sustained turn rate due to its delta-wing design and low wing loading.
• Weaknesses: Older radar (based on the Su-27’s N001E, less advanced than the F-16’s for example), weaker BVR engagement range with R-27s compared to AIM-120s, and less agility at low speeds. Highly reliant on Chinese AWACS for situational awareness in the battlespace.

KNOWN STATS:

MAR:	15NM
AA ARMAMENT:	PL-8, PL-10, PL-15, PL-12, R-27,R-73,R-77
AA THREAT TYPE:	BVR/WVR
KNOWN RADAR RANGE:	50NM
ENGINE:	2× Shenyang WS-10 afterburning turbofan
KNOWN TOP SPEED:	Mach 1.6
KNOWN TOP ALTITUDE:	52,000 ft
ROLE:	Multi-role FIGHTER

 

[Wing]

Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Tactics​

1. Radar and Missile Advantage​

• AN/APG-68 Employment: The F-16’s radar has a detection range of approximately 40-50 nautical miles (nm) against a fighter-sized target like the J-11, outclassing the J-11’s N001E (roughly 30-40 nm). Set your radar to TWS (Track While Scan) mode initially to build situational awareness, then switch to STT (Single Target Track) for a solid lock at 30-35 nm.
• AIM-120 Shot Discipline: Fire your first AIM-120C at 25-30 nm when the J-11 is closing, ensuring a high probability of kill (Pk). Immediately crank—turn 30-45 degrees off the J-11’s nose—to maintain radar lock while reducing closure rate, forcing the J-11 to go defensive early. Follow with a second shot at 15-20 nm if the first misses, known as a “ripple fire” tactic.
• Altitude Positioning: Climb and maintain Mach 1.2-1.4. This maximizes AMRAAM range (up to 40+ nm at altitude) and keeps the J-11’s radar looking up into clutter, reducing its detection range. The J-11’s R-27ER tops out at 30-35 nm under ideal conditions, giving you a window to strike first.
• MAR: Do not pass the minimum abort range at 15nm.

2. Countering J-11 BVR Weapons​

• R-27R/ER Defense: The J-11’s semi-active radar missiles (R-27R/ER) require it to maintain a lock. Notch at 90 degrees to the J-11’s radar bearing (use your RWR to confirm its direction), descend rapidly to 10,000-15,000 feet, and deploy chaff. Aim to drop below its radar gimbal limits or into ground clutter. A well-timed notch can waste its missile energy.
• R-77 Threat: If the J-11 carries R-77s (active radar, roughly equivalent to AIM-120B), assume a 20-25 nm threat range. Notch and chaff as above, but add a barrel roll or split-S to bleed its missile’s energy. Extend briefly (fly away at Mach 1.5+) to force the R-77 to chase, then re-engage once it’s burned out.
• Cold Aspect Play: If you detect the J-11 early (e.g., via datalink or AWACS), turn cold (180 degrees away) and run at full afterburner until you’re outside its radar cone (40 nm+), then climb and reposition for a flank attack.

3. Geometry and Timing​

• Flanking Maneuver: If starting at long range (50+ nm), turn 45 degrees off the J-11’s nose and fly a curved path to its 3 or 9 o’clock. This reduces closure rate, keeps you out of its radar until the last moment, and sets up a side-aspect AMRAAM shot with a higher Pk.
• Commit Timing: Don’t commit to a head-on merge unless you’ve already fired and forced the J-11 defensive. If it survives your first salvo, maintain distance and reset the engagement rather than rushing into WVR.

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The Merge​

1. Pre-Merge Setup​

• Energy State: Enter the merge with 400-500 knots at 20,000-25,000 feet. This gives you flexibility to go vertical or extend if needed. The J-11 will likely be faster (600+ knots) due to its powerful engines, so don’t try to out-accelerate it horizontally.
• Weapon Selection: Switch to AIM-9 Sidewinders (preferably AIM-9X if equipped) and ensure your radar is in ACM.
• Angle Off: Aim for a high-angle merge (30-60 degrees off its nose) rather than head on merge.

2. Merge Execution​

• One-Circle vs. Two-Circle: The J-11 excels in a two-circle fight (rate fight) due to its sustained turn rate (around 22-24 degrees per second). Force a one-circle fight (radius fight) by pulling hard into it post-merge—use the F-16’s instantaneous turn rate (up to 26 deg/s at 9G) to cut inside its turn and gain angles early.
• Vertical Option: If the J-11 goes horizontal, pull up into a pure vertical climb nose up at full afterburner. The F-16’s thrust-to-weight ratio (1.1:1) lets you climb faster than the J-11 can follow initially, setting up a top-down attack as it slows.

3. Post-Merge Awareness​

• Spot the J-11: The F-16’s bubble canopy gives you a visibility edge over the J-11’s cluttered cockpit. Visually acquire it immediately after the merge to dictate the fight’s flow. Make callouts.
• R-73 Evasion: If the J-11 fires an R-73 (high off-boresight IR missile), break hard into its direction, pop flares (5-6 in a burst), and climb or dive to change your heat signature. Don’t turn away—it’ll track your exhaust.

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Within Visual Range (WVR) Tactics​

1. Energy Fighting​

• High Yo-Yo: If the J-11 commits to a horizontal turn, pull up into a high yo-yo (45-degree climb, then roll back down). This preserves your energy while the J-11 bleeds speed in its turn, letting you drop behind it for an AIM-9 shot or gun pass.
• Low-Speed Bait: Drag the fight below 250 knots by tightening your turn briefly. The J-11’s delta wings lose lift here, while the F-16 retains control. Snap your nose onto it with a high-G pull (7-9G) and fire an AIM-9 or use the M61 Vulcan (aim for its cockpit or engines).
• Scissors Defense: If the J-11 gets on your six, enter a flat scissors—shallow banks left and right at 300-350 knots. The F-16’s quicker roll rate (up to 200 deg/s) lets you outmaneuver the J-11, forcing an overshoot. Reverse with a hard pull to gain a shot.

2. Missile Employment​

• AIM-9X Advantage: If equipped, the AIM-9X’s 60-degree off-boresight capability outmatches the R-73’s 45-degree lock cone. Lock and fire it during a high-angle maneuver (e.g., after a barrel roll) when the J-11 can’t easily counter.
• Heat Signature: The J-11’s twin AL-31F engines produce a massive IR signature. Fire AIM-9s from its 5-7 o’clock position for best lock reliability, especially after it’s burned energy in a turn.

3. Exploiting J-11 Limitations​

• Blind Spots: The J-11’s poor rear visibility makes it vulnerable from behind. Stay in its 4-8 o’clock region, where its pilot struggles to track you visually or with radar.
• Energy Bleed: Force repeated hard turns by faking a nose-low break, then climbing as it follows. The J-11’s heavier airframe (43,000 lbs vs. F-16’s 26,000 lbs) loses energy faster in prolonged fights.

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Defensive Scenarios​

1. J-11 on Your Six​

• Break Turn: Pull a max-G turn (9G for 2-3 seconds) into the J-11’s direction, deploy flares if it’s close (<3 nm), and roll out to change your plane’s aspect. This disrupts its missile or gun solution.
• Vertical Escape: If you have speed (400+ knots), go pure vertical with afterburner. The F-16 climbs faster initially, giving you separation to roll over and re-engage.
• Terrain Play: Over maps like Caucasus, dive to 500-1,000 feet AGL, weave through valleys, and use chaff to break radar locks. The J-11’s size and slower roll rate make it less adept at low-level chasing.

2. Missile Evasion​

• R-73 Counter: Break into the missile’s seeker (turn toward its launch point), flare heavily (10+ in 3-4 bursts), and pull 7-8G to force it to overshoot. Add a last-second barrel roll if it’s close (<1 nm).
• R-27/R-77 Counter: Notch at 90 degrees, descend below 5,000 feet AGL, and chaff (5-6 bursts). If it’s an R-27R, outlast the J-11’s radar lock—its pilot must guide it manually.

3. Disengagement​

• Extend and Run: If low on energy or weapons, point away, hit afterburner, and accelerate to Mach 1.5+. The J-11 can catch up eventually (top speed Mach 2.35 vs. F-16’s Mach 2.05), but you’ll gain enough separation to reset or exit.
• Hide in Clutter: Drop to treetop level and fly perpendicular to its radar to disappear into ground returns, buying time to reposition.

 

[Wing]

PLAAF J-11 shown in Operation Prevailing Liberty, Afghanistan