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BEIJING. — China staged its largest-ever air force display in a massive military parade in downtown Beijing yesterday morning in celebration of the end of World War II.
Featured with a distinctive giant radome on its back, a Kongjing-2000 AEWC aircraft escorted by eight J-10 fighters flew over Tian’anmen Square, kicking off the grand show.
Eighteen types of aircraft numbering nearly 200 in total constituted 10 air echelons on display, including air flag guard formations, the leading aircraft echelon, airborne early warning and control (AEWC) aircraft, bombers, fighters, carrier-based aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, a refuelling and receiver echelon, and helicopters.
For many viewers, the debut of five Chinese-made J-15 carrier-based fighter jets was one of the most eye-catching part in the grandiose air force show.
Nicknamed “Flying Shark,” J-15 is China’s first generation long-range, multi-purpose carrier-borne fighter jet, with the capability to carry various tasks.
On November 23, 2012, China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, conducted successful take-off and landing tests of its carrier-borne J-15 fighters, the main strike force of China’s carrier group.
The Liaoning, which was refitted based on an unfinished Russian-made carrier and commissioned in September 2012, has completed more than 100 scientific-research tests, as well as landing and take-off exercises by J-15 fighters and various types of helicopters.
Spectators applauded when the latest model of China’s AEWC aircraft Kongjing-500 flew over Tian’anmen Square, followed by Y-8 command and communication aircraft and J-10 fighters. Kongjing-500 is a medium-sized early warning and control aircraft, used for surveillance, guidance and other missions. — Xinhua.
Online Reporter