J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31

[AndrewS]

Of all the things to skimp out on radar seems to be an odd choice.

The USAF F-35 is currently stuck with a GaA radar. Their GaN radar isn't ready yet and is due in 2029

So if the Chinese Air Force J-35A is already shipping with a GaN radar, that presumably would be equivalent to what the USAF F-35 has planned.

That would imply the Naval J-35 going with a GaN-on-SIC radar which is a half? generation ahead of GaN.

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EDIT: All things being equal (even though they're not), this implies that a J-35A with a GaN radar has a detection range which is 48% further than the current F-35 (which won't have a GaN radar until 2029).

So I can understand why the Chinese Air Force would select a "standard" GaN radar option instead of GaN-on-SIC

 

[madhusudan.tim]

What is the bypass ratio of the ws-19 engine and how does it compare with the f135 ? If the BPR is lower, would it affect the stealth in thermal signature regime? How much of the efficiency would be hit by the use of two engines vs single engine if both of them produce similar thrust?

 

[taxiya]

What is the bypass ratio of the ws-19 engine and how does it compare with the f135 ? If the BPR is lower, would it affect the stealth in thermal signature regime? How much of the efficiency would be hit by the use of two engines vs single engine if both of them produce similar thrust?

That is a comparison between apple and orange. Higher BPR is not always desired, it has better fuel efficiency for range at subsonic speed but sacrifices supersonic performance. J-35 is air superiority fighter, F-35 is more of a fighter bomber.

 

[pokepara]

Thing is, China isn't making fifth generation fighters at nearly the rate it does steel or solar panels, there also is the problem that exporting state of the art or near state of the art weaponry is a much more delicate affair than exporting Xinjiang melons. Of course this argument can be countered with the example of the Americans selling the F-35, their (near) crown jewel. But the issue with this is that the Americans are almost exclusively selling them not to any kind of free customers but to vassals and quite rich ones, that can and do pay exorbitant premiums that reflect not so much the product as protection money and tribute. If for example China's relationship with Japan and Australia was the same as the one it has with the Wa State of Myanmar today and could induce them to pay a billion yuan apiece then yes, exports would be a non-brainer. But none of the internationally recognized states today share such a relationship with China and those that even vaguely resemble this have nowhere near the deep pockets of the countries of the Euro-Atlantic bloc. That is not to say that I view such early exports a catastrophic mistake, it's simply, in my view suboptimal.

We don't know what China's production capacity is likely to be but I imagine they think they have enough if they're selling 5th gens. I realise it's a bit of a cop-out to just say the equivalent of "trust the plan. MAGA" but the CPC has shown an incredible long-term planning ability when it comes to moves like this.

I don't agree that a vassal relationship is required for China to benefit from their platforms. As an example, post-Arab Spring Egypt is almost completely beholden to the US, who make sure there's no good a2a missiles around to threaten Israeli planes. Then, two rumours happened in Feb 2025: Egypt to receive J-10CEs/PL-15Es and also denial for US bombers/tankers to use their airspace on their way to Gaza. Things are murky exactly where things are going with Egypt, but empowering third party states to act more in their own interests requires the US to put more resources into managing their client states.

If a third state is reliant on US military tech (or other tech or petrochemicals or markets or food or finance etcetc for that matter), they are incredibly beholden to their directives. Breaking those links is very valuable.

The USAF F-35 is currently stuck with a GaA radar. Their GaN radar isn't ready yet and is due in 2029

AFAIK, the new (and all newly produced) F-35s don't have radars at all and can't even use the old GaA radars because of a hardware bulkhead config mismatch.

 

[AndrewS]

We don't know what China's production capacity is likely to be but I imagine they think they have enough if they're selling 5th gens. I realise it's a bit of a cop-out to just say the equivalent of "trust the plan. MAGA" but the CPC has shown an incredible long-term planning ability when it comes to moves like this.

We know that J-20 production is around 100-120 per year.

We also know that J-35 production is ramping up. Personally, I think we're looking at a bare minimum of 40 per year. That is based on:
1. Flanker production being around 40 annually previously
2. F-35 production being 160 per year (although for all customers)
3. Even if combined Chinese stealth fighter production (of J-20 and J-35) is at 160 per year, in 5 years time, the Chinese Air Force will still be at a disadvantage to the combined Air Forces of the USA, Japan and South Korea.

If J-35 exports run at 24 per year, it's a manageable figure (for existing production to be diverted or production to further ramp up) when compared to 160+ stealth fighters per year.

AFAIK, the new (and all newly produced) F-35s don't have radars at all and can't even use the old GaA radars because of a hardware bulkhead config mismatch.

Looks like this just applies to the F-35s going to the USA, and they're talking about 300 F-35s being delivered without radars over the next 2-3 years.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

In today's Chahuahui, Yankee and Shilao confirmed that it's indeed a J-35AE, perhaps the first demonstrator airframe.

They also think it's very likely that the J-35AE will show up at the Zhuhai airshow this year.

 

[Black Wolf]

"Cross posting from Pakistan Armed Forces Thread"





As per the above press briefing by the Dy. ACM, the key takeaways are:

1. Next-generation fighters (J35AE??)
2. Additional J-10Cs
3. More advanced JF-17 variants

He also mentioned that the groundwork has already been completed for the induction of the above platforms.

Regarding the “more advanced JF-17s,” which block/variant is he referring to?

 

[Phead128]

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China's J-35 with 0001 fuselage number spotted in media report footage; expert says it may target global market

Semi-official hinting from the Chinese side.

 

[Black Wolf]

Nice close-ups from state TV program,...

 

[MeiouHades]

Weren't these posted before?