The head of production for China's new J-15 fighter jet died of a heart attack on Sunday, China's Shenyang Aircraft Corp. (SAC) confirmed on Monday.

Luo experienced a sudden heart attack while participating in flight landing training for China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, around noon on Sunday, according to the obituary notice issued by the SAC, a subsidiary of China's state-owned aircraft maker, the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC).

He had a heart attack while onboard the carrier, and later died in hospital.

"Mourn General Manager Luo Yang. Luo will be immortal," read the electronic signs at the gates of the SAC, dubbed the "cradle of China's fighter jets."

The flags were flown at half-mast at the gates of the SAC on Monday, which is based in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Luo, chairman and general manager of the SAC, was the head of the manufacturing and production phase of the J-15 fighter jet. A new J-15 fighter jet was used as part of the landing exercise on the carrier on Sunday.

Since being delivered to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Sept. 25, the aircraft carrier has undergone a series of sailing and technological tests, including the flight of the carrier-borne J-15.

The capabilities of the carrier platform and the J-15 have been tested, meeting all requirements and achieving good compatibility, according to the PLA Navy.

Thousands of Chinese people, including Luo's colleagues, acquaintances and netizens, saluted the pioneers of China's military technology and extended their condolences to Luo.

"People in the SAC are in the deepest sorrow for Luo Yang. And we will remember him forever," read the obituary notice from the SAC.

"That is so unfortunate. I felt deeply sorry to hear the sad news of Luo's death," said Wu Guanghui, chief designer of the C919, China's first domestically-produced large passenger aircraft.

"We had been familiar with each other since he worked at an aviation institute in Shenyang. The tall man was gentle and always energetic," said Wu.