J-35 carrier fighter (PLAN) thread

[tphuang]

By the way, besides all these speculations about a dedicated export, a twin-seater and/or a PLAAF version, are there any news about the J-35? Was a third prototype spotted already and even more any conclusions about the two "whatever they are" at Huangdicun? Are the mock-ups only (IMO most likely) or true prototypes?

PS ... allegedly a new image

View attachment 102342

Based on what I'm reading on Weibo, looks like the progress is going well. I've upped my in service time frame to 2025.

 

[Deino]

Based on what I'm reading on Weibo, looks like the progress is going well. I've upped my in service time frame to 2025.

Wow, but then I assume they need several more prototypes! Even if we consider the first two FC-31 demonstrators 31001 & 31003 equivalent to the J-20 prototypes 2001 & 2002, so that the two real J-35 prototypes 350001 & 350003 are "equal" to the 2011 & 2012 J-20s, the J-20 has with 2013 - 2017 several more!

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Based on what I'm reading on Weibo, looks like the progress is going well. I've upped my in service time frame to 2025.

Imagine in 2025 where the first plane to ever touch down on the flight deck of China's first ever supercarrier is China's first ever naval-based 5th-generation fighter.

Man, that's gonna be a spectacle to behold...

 

[siegecrossbow]

Wow, but then I assume they need several more prototypes! Even if we consider the first two FC-31 demonstrators 31001 & 31003 equivalent to the J-20 prototypes 2001 & 2002, so that the two real J-35 prototypes 350001 & 350003 are "equal" to the 2011 & 2012 J-20s, the J-20 has with 2013 - 2017 several more!

They had almost a decade to tweak the general design with the FC-31 prototypes. If anything 2025 is too slow.

 

[tphuang]

Wow, but then I assume they need several more prototypes! Even if we consider the first two FC-31 demonstrators 31001 & 31003 equivalent to the J-20 prototypes 2001 & 2002, so that the two real J-35 prototypes 350001 & 350003 are "equal" to the 2011 & 2012 J-20s, the J-20 has with 2013 - 2017 several more!

I think SAC photos have always been less forthcoming

They had almost a decade to tweak the general design with the FC-31 prototypes. If anything 2025 is too slow.

Yeah, I've seen some talks of 2024 also. I find that a little aggressive. I think 2025 is more likely.

 

[Blitzo]

Wow, but then I assume they need several more prototypes! Even if we consider the first two FC-31 demonstrators 31001 & 31003 equivalent to the J-20 prototypes 2001 & 2002, so that the two real J-35 prototypes 350001 & 350003 are "equal" to the 2011 & 2012 J-20s, the J-20 has with 2013 - 2017 several more!

Well, entering service in 2025 is still four years from first flight of the true J-35 prototype in 2021 (equivalent to J-20 s/n 2011).
J-20 s/n 2011 flew in early 2014, and J-20 first was received to Dingxin in late 2016 and Cangzhou in 2017-2018 which marked their first entry to service.

For J-XY/35, it will obviously have a number of further prototype airframes built between now and 2025, but in terms of timing I think it actually matches up quite reasonably with J-20.

Keep in mind at SAC they probably have built more flying prototype airframes than what we have visually confirmed because it's harder for us to get pictures.

Keeping that in mind, I think the timeline makes a lot of sense.

 

[TK3600]

Wasnt name confirmed J-31 not J-35?

 

[Blitzo]

Wasnt name confirmed J-31 not J-35?

We don't know yet.
Until we have official PLA media using a proper designation for it, everything is still in the air somewhat.

 

[TK3600]

We don't know yet.
Until we have official PLA media using a proper designation for it, everything is still in the air somewhat.

It was a while ago but official media refered it as 歼31 when giving award to the engineers.

 

[Blitzo]

It was a while ago but official media refered it as 歼31 when giving award to the engineers.

If it isn't official PLA media use, it doesn't count for our purposes.