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

[tphuang]

Retooling, supply chain management, retraining (production staff and maintenance staff) will all take large efforts with potential J-20 manufacturing changes. On top of all this you will have to recertify the aircraft which will take a substantial effort too.

I would think at this stage of the J-20 project it is probably not worth the effort to radically change the manufacturing methods used. Small changes, refinements etc. obviously will happen.

If you look at how things are produced in Chinese factories now. Being flexible and using latest production tool to improve efficiency is a must. I don't see why aerospace sector should be any different.

We only have 300+ J-20s in service. J-20A production might be 1000 over next few years. Why would you not do further investment for that?

And again, they built out new factory floor space at CAC. As such, they are not retooling. They are bringing in new tools.

The level of automation in China's industrial base is very high and growth. Don't underestimate China's ability to produce things.

The limitation to J-20 and J-35 procurement is more likely due to training pipeline and budget rather than production capacity at this point.

 

[SlothmanAllen]

I am a big fan of Bill Sweetman's writings and analysis. I still remember when FC-31 first came out, he wrote that the FC-31 was what the F-35 should have been. The right-hand side pictures even better.

This man HATES the F-35 !

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1853818518321385721

 

[ismellcopium]

What I'm curious to know is what annual production of this can likely hit in the next 2-4 yrs.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

In retrospect of this morning's official confirmation of J-35A's (upcoming) status with the PLAAF:

Say, if the J-35 has less powerful radar and sensor suites, shorter range and can only command 2-3 loyal wingman UCAVs (LW-UCAV) at any given time, versus that of the J-20 with more powerful radar & sensor suites, longer rangeband able to command 4-6 LW-UCAVs at any given time - Then-So-Be-It.

Need I remind all that we are neither in the era of unit-versus-unit nor platform-versus-platform warfare anymore. It's a system-versus-system warfare today and into the future, where everything must be able to work with one another AND all working together, in order to achieve not just 1+1=2, but 1+1>>2. Moreover, in this type of warfare - Sheer numbers is one of the utmost importance factor at play, as the attrition will be very unforgiving in an all-out, peer-to-peer conflict.

China absolutely has the money, resources and manpower to scale things up when needed. However, to guarantee the ability to keep fielding fighters in case either Chengdu AC or Shenyang AC was incapacited + The ability to vastly enhance the flexibility, viability and reliability of deployments of the PLAAF according to actual operational wartime needs - I'd rather have 100-110x J-20s and 50-80x J-35As from both Chengdu and Shenyang ACs, rather than having 130-160x J-20s from Chengdu AC alone.

(With that being said - If, not just for 5th-gen fighters, but also the 4.5th-gen fighters (i.e. J-16) and any potential future variants can be upgraded with certain 6th-gen features and/or capabilities, then they should definitely go for it.)

Plus, the J-35 is actually noticeably (albeit not significantly) larger and having more internal space than the F-35, despite sporting two smaller engines instead of just one large engine. If anything, Shenyang AC and the PLAAF wouldn't be as concerned with their J-35As as Lockheed Martin and the USAF are with their F-35As.


(Couldn't find similar but higher resolution illustration at the moment, so have this instead)

 

[Maikeru]

I am a big fan of Bill Sweetman's writings and analysis. I still remember when FC-31 first came out, he wrote that the FC-31 was what the F-35 should have been. The right-hand side pictures even better.

Sweetman said the J35 was the F35 without the Marines, and the better for it.

 

[Gloire_bb]

In retrospect of this morning's official confirmation of J-35A's (upcoming) status with the PLAAF:

Say, if the J-35 has less powerful radar and sensor systems and can only command 2-3 loyal wingman UCAVs (LW-UCAV) at any given time, versus that of the J-20 with more powerful radar & sensor suites, and able to command 4-6 LW-UCAVs at any given time - Then so be it.

I personally struggle to see how there's going to be any difference in command capacity. Command capability is summ of human/interface, communication and processing power(latter rather secondary).

Realistically, you can do it from any crewed platform of any size that can meaningfully keep up.

Like ok, maybe PLAGF autogyros will suck at it, but that's because they are too small for a proper cockpit.

 

[SinoSoldier]

Yankee said in their new podcast today that this J35A is a production unit. It will gets its serial and assign to a unit right after the airshow.

As others have pointed out, this airframe seems to be missing a number of the sensors (e.g. Sino-EODAS) found on the J-20.

The type also flew for the first time in September 2023. It is quite unlikely that this is a production unit, at least one intended for combat service.

 

[Index]

As others have pointed out, this airframe seems to be missing a number of the sensors (e.g. Sino-EODAS) found on the J-20.

The type also flew for the first time in September 2023. It is quite unlikely that this is a production unit, at least one intended for combat service.

Likely it just undergoes more retooling after the airshow.

That it is a production unit from the air force is confirmed, but it doesn't have to mean it's a completed production unit.

 

[Rafi]

The best J-35 versus F-35 comparison infographic, hands down. No words needed.

View attachment 138405

I believe the jocks in the usaf refer the F35 as “Fat Aimee”.

 

[Gloire_bb]

As others have pointed out, this airframe seems to be missing a number of the sensors (e.g. Sino-EODAS) found on the J-20.

The type also flew for the first time in September 2023. It is quite unlikely that this is a production unit, at least one intended for combat service.

It can be meant to miss them. It is surprising, but not impossible.
For example, the fit is too clean to be just temporary, and I don't see this bird as rushed like Kaan to have something before election.

As all observers, while we evaluate reality and its likelihood, we should never deny what we see and dismiss it.
Ultimately, it's plaaf who decide what they need and want, not us.