The J-16D, China's new electronic-warfare derivative of the J-16 multirole fighter jet, shows versatility across reconnaissance, attack as well as defense, according to the aircraft's designers.
Built on the J-16 airframe, the J-16D incorporates specialized electronics and airframe changes that equip it to operate as part of a wider airborne electronic-warfare network.
According to an engineer at the AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute -- the designing institute for the J-16D, the J-16D can seamlessly accompany other combat aircraft in joint missions, forming a coordinated electronic-warfare system. Visually, the J-16 and the J-16D are similar, but several specific changes mark the D variant as specially built for electronic operations.
"From the outside, they look somewhat similar, but in fact, they are completely different. For instance, the J-16 is still equipped with a traditional hanger here at this part, but for the J-16D aircraft, there is an avionics pod at this part. It is not hung under the hanger but is directly integrated with the aircraft as a whole," said Ai Zhiqiang, an engineer with AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute.
Ai also said that the J-16D's aerodynamic layout has been adjusted to suit its electronic-missions equipment.
The J-16 and J-16D were developed under a one-platform, multiple-variants philosophy. Some systems and functions are interchangeable between the two types, but each is optimized for different mission priorities.
The J-16D's primary role is electronic warfare: detecting, disrupting and degrading adversary sensors and telecommunications to protect strike packages and ensure mission success.
"The electronic jamming capability is intended to invalidate the enemy aircraft's radar search capability and some of their telecommunications capability, thereby enhancing our aircraft's combat effectiveness and ultimately ensuring we can carry out our missions," Ai said.
China's J-16D shows versatility across reconnaissance, attack, defense: designers
An increasing number of German consumers are considering buying electric vehicles (EVs) in the face of high fuel prices, according to a recent survey by the largest German online car trading platform, mobile.de.
As the Middle East tensions continue to drive up international oil and gas prices, the cost of automotive fuel has been rising steadily in many European countries.
According to fuel price data compiled by the German Association of the Automotive Industry, since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, gasoline prices in Germany have risen by nearly 20 percent, while diesel prices have shot up by more than 30 percent.
Results from a recent survey by mobile.de show that if gasoline prices remain at current high levels, 43 percent of respondents said they would switch to EVs, and 36 percent cited long-term cost savings as the most important reason for considering an EV purchase.
Additionally, the platform's data show that inquiries about used EVs surged by 66 percent in the first half of March.
"We are absolutely seeing much more interest on mobile.de for electric cars. What the German energy transition couldn't do, this current geopolitical situation has done in terms of transition to electric cars," said Ajay Bhatia, CEO of mobile.de.
In addition to high oil prices, government subsidies are also a key factor driving German consumers to consider purchasing EVs.
The German government announced the resumption of subsidies in January of this year, planning to invest 3 billion euros over the next few years to provide purchase subsidies for some 800,000 EVs.
Driven by the combined effects of high oil prices and subsidy policies, German consumers' interest in EVs has grown clearly. However, it remains to be seen whether this shift will evolve into a more sustained market trend.
"How long it will stay is anyone's guess, but at the moment we're absolutely seeing an increase, and sometimes these transitions need a catalyst. And this is definitely a catalyst that is seeing the transition to electric cars speed up," said Bhatia.
More Germans interested in buying EVs due to high oil prices: survey
