One reason I have doubts about the J-XY program is its apparently low numbers of test prototypes and test flight frequency. This is not the way a new aircraft approved and under full development should behave.
The new FC-31-based J-XY was exposed around the end of October 2021. Since then, for more than one year, the only airframe exposed on the internet was 35001, without any other one. There were also very few photos of this prototype flying in the sky, no more than once every month or two. Many of the pictures revealed were actually computer graphics rather than real photos. The last time J-XY picture revealed in this thread was on November 4, 2022 (#7043), about two months ago.
For comparison, when the J-20 first flew, we saw vessel 2001-2004, 2011-2017, 2101, 2102, 2021, 2022, 2031, 2032, 2051... more than 10 prototypes were revealed sequentially in different stages.
During the J-15 test flight period, we have seen at least 7 prototypes such as 551-556, 561.
We have also seen more than ten Y-20 prototypes of 781-788, 7810, 7811, 7813, etc.
Since the first flight of the KJ-600 in 2021, although we haven't seen any close up photos of the prototype airframes, we could confirm on Google Earth that at least three vessels were built and under test flight at China Test Flight Establishment, Yanliang. Fans have posted photos of the KJ-600 flying in the sky frequently with more and more details.
The J-XY project is amazingly low-key on the contrast. If PLA Navy really wanted it, then at least a second prototype should be built and flown intensively by now, if not more than one. So, what does this mean for the J-XY project? Is it really under full-speed development?
The new FC-31-based J-XY was exposed around the end of October 2021. Since then, for more than one year, the only airframe exposed on the internet was 35001, without any other one. There were also very few photos of this prototype flying in the sky, no more than once every month or two. Many of the pictures revealed were actually computer graphics rather than real photos. The last time J-XY picture revealed in this thread was on November 4, 2022 (#7043), about two months ago.
For comparison, when the J-20 first flew, we saw vessel 2001-2004, 2011-2017, 2101, 2102, 2021, 2022, 2031, 2032, 2051... more than 10 prototypes were revealed sequentially in different stages.
During the J-15 test flight period, we have seen at least 7 prototypes such as 551-556, 561.
We have also seen more than ten Y-20 prototypes of 781-788, 7810, 7811, 7813, etc.
Since the first flight of the KJ-600 in 2021, although we haven't seen any close up photos of the prototype airframes, we could confirm on Google Earth that at least three vessels were built and under test flight at China Test Flight Establishment, Yanliang. Fans have posted photos of the KJ-600 flying in the sky frequently with more and more details.
The J-XY project is amazingly low-key on the contrast. If PLA Navy really wanted it, then at least a second prototype should be built and flown intensively by now, if not more than one. So, what does this mean for the J-XY project? Is it really under full-speed development?