Chinese officials and media have hinted at some sensor-fusion capability to hand-off targets to other aircraft and perhaps weapons assets, as with the F-35s capability to direct weapons. There are also claimed improvements to its search and targeting radar. The new engines are also smokeless, a significant tactical necessity. The wings have been re-worked into a claimed lower radar cross-section shape and new engines have been installed that provide greater thrust to compensate for the additional weight. The latest J-31 variant appears to be a more completely developed tactical aircraft with an Infra-red search and track ball passive sensor (IRST ball). The latest version of the J-31 was seen last year on December 26, 2016, during its first flight: it was significantly re-worked, heavier (three tons more) and at least 20-inches longer than the early prototypes according to most sources.

The J-31 has since been seen in its newest version with a swept-back twin tail. The vertical stabilizer configuration was completely reworked from early versions that seemed to mimic the twin tails of an F-22. Since its first appearance it was speculated the type had been intended for export to partner nations and slated to be built in a naval/aircraft carrier (although not STOVL). As already you can read in mode detail in this previous article the FC-31 can be considered China’s multirole, (claimed) low-observable tactical aircraft roughly analogous, in mission if not in capability, to the American F-35. Finally, the PLAAF is preparing upgrades for the J-20, which may include increasing the number of AAMs the fighter can carry in its low-observable configuration, installing thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and adding super cruise capability by installing higher-thrust indigenous WS-15 engines.”īack to the J-35, it is the carrier version of the Shenyang FC-31 also known as J-31 Falcon Eagle or Gyrfalcon, China’s second stealth fighter jet that performed its maiden flight on Oct 31, 2012, and made a public appearance on Nov. In addition, the PRC has received delivery of all 24 Su-35 advanced fourth-generation fighters it purchased from Russia in 2016. During the PRC’s 70th anniversary parade in October 2019, the PLAAF conducted high-profile flyovers of its J-20, and J-16 and J-10C advanced fourth-generation fighters armed with the latest air-to-air missiles (AAMs). “For fifth-generation fighters, the PLAAF operationally fielded limited numbers of its new J-20, while development continues on the smaller FC-31/J-31 for export or as a future naval fighter for the PLAN’s next class of aircraft carriers. “The PLAAF and PLAN Aviation continue to field greater numbers of fourth-generation aircraft (now more than 800 of 1,500 total operational fighters, not including trainers) and probably will become a majority fourth-generation force within the next several years” the 2020 China Military Power Report to Congress says. And, we should not also forget that earlier this year, China also unveiled the carrier-borne Xian KJ-600 AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft, Beijing’s Hawkeye.īoth the J-35 and the KJ-600 will operate from the new Type-003 aircraft carrier of the PLAN which will have a catapult launch system as opposed to the first two carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, that are both equipped with the ski-jump. 29, 2021, showing the “navalized” stealth fighter in green primer during what may well be the type’s first flight.

In fact, images have started to circulate online on Oct.

to develop a fully domestic carrier capable stealth fighter. This means, that along with being the first ever to operate a two-seater stealth fighter, China will also be the first nation outside of the U.S.

Launchbar jet