J-18 ???

I recently discovered rumours about a Chinese V/stol plane (J-18?)
see links below
Such a plane could provide an intersting asset to china Navy amphibious force on board an LPD or LHD.
Even as means of diplomatic leverage as it would only need minimal airfield structures and could easily be deployed to paracel, spratly, ... to instantly install (together with some manpads) local airdefence.

Anyone out there has additional info ?






Is this just a rumour; is there effectively a programme or is there a real development of a prototype???

I remember to read something about this Snowy Owl somewhere in this forum but what was the conclusion? I can't deny that the project exist; however, up to now, we see nothing. So, if it does exist, it exists on paper only!

The time for V/STOL or STOVL has come and gone or is passing. F-35B is probably the very last.
To be of any value these aircraft need superior gas turbine engines, which China doesn't have.
These aircraft need flattops without traps, which are mandatory to US amphibs and are owned by a few countries. But the decks will have to be able to withstand the heat of the engine exhaust, which is not necessary if you only use them for helicopters. So you can use extra expensive aircraft on extra expensive ships or go to somewhat larger ships and use traps combined with ski ramp and/or cats.

Conclusion: A Chinese V/STOL or STOVL jet won't be in developed.

i won't be so sure delft

Never hear about J-18

Isn't this the Air Force Chief? He seems to be confirming the existence of the J-18.

Unless he explicitly said something confirming something along those lines, it could just be CCTV putting up incorrect titles under an interview that happens to be someone of importance.

Come on you guys can't be serious, he's an entertainer! Even non existing designations such as the J31 is listed.

hmmwv said:

Come on you guys can't be serious, he's an entertainer! Even non existing designations such as the J31 is listed.

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Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean here. Isn't Shenyang's latest stealth fighter called J-31, the 30001! Or do you mean that J-31 is not a formal designation, just being called by military enthusiast?

SteelBird said:

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean here. Isn't Shenyang's latest stealth fighter called J-31, the 30001! Or do you mean that J-31 is not a formal designation, just being called by military enthusiast?

Click to expand...

I think he was being sarcastic.