An article published by the official WeChat account of the “People’s Navy” revealed the details of a live-fire exercise recently conducted by the J-15 carrier-based fighter jets from the Naval Aviation University. The exercise took place over Bohai Bay, where the jets were equipped with non-guided weapons.
The exercise began with a synchronized take-off from the runway, highlighting the disciplined operation and power of the J-15 fighter jets. The main objectives of the training were to evaluate the practical weapon usage abilities of the pilots and the coordination between the jets and the ground command unit during rapid response situations.
During the exercise, the pilots successfully navigated the jets at extremely low altitudes to evade simulated “enemy” radar detection, thereby approaching the target zone undetected. The training emphasized breakthroughs in “enemy” ground-based air defense systems and precision strikes on ground targets.
In the target range, the pilots showcased their ability to identify and select appropriate targets, followed by meticulously calculating attack parameters for maximum effectiveness.
On receiving permission to engage, the pilots initiated their attack runs, firing non-guided rockets accurately at the ground targets, signifying a successful demonstration of the live-fire exercise. The precision of the pilots was met with approval by the observing ground personnel.
After returning from the exercise, the jets underwent immediate maintenance and rearming, signaling readiness for subsequent sorties. This maintenance process reaffirms the military’s commitment to ensuring constant readiness for operations.
Flight instructors stated that these non-guided weapon live-fire exercises are a critical part of evaluating the training progress of carrier-based pilots. The emphasis is placed on shifting these pilots from being operationally capable to being combat-ready, focusing on enhancing new combat skills and conducting targeted, evaluative, and realistic training sessions.
The J-15 non-guided weapons live-fire exercise, as reported by the People’s Navy, underlines the ongoing efforts of China’s Naval Aviation University to strengthen its carrier-based fighter pilots’ combat capabilities, readiness, and proficiency in utilizing non-guided weaponry.