J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
If past performance is to repeat itself, too bad the parade Pics themselves will be too obscured by smog and clouds.
@Deino, this might be a construction number. It looks like 0101 to me. First unit of the first batch?
exactly my thought too
Two weibo from Ayi:
Fifteen years ago, the three regiments of the 1st Aviation Division were equipped with domestically produced J-10A, J-8F, and J-11B fighters.
Today, its successor units (The 1st Fighter Brigade) now operate J-35A, J-20A, J-20, J-16, and J-16D aircraft.
After three-quarters of a century, this aviation force born in the flames of war has finally evolved into the most powerful tactical air combat unit in human history.
The current transition of the first wave of J-20 units to a mixed fleet including the J-35A is particularly noteworthy. These units are not only receiving the J-35A but will also continue to induct the upgraded J-20A in the near future.
This suggests the PLAAF may view both the J-35A and J-20A as a form of "5.5-generation" aircraft, justifying their prioritized deployment to elite "tip-of-the-spear" units to further sharpen combat readiness.
However, fielding cutting-edge fighters comes with significant challenges. Developing and refining maintenance procedures, pioneering new tactical doctrines, and drafting updated training manuals all require substantial effort. Given that these priority units shoulder heavy responsibilities in routine maritime and aerial sovereignty missions, the additional burden is considerable.
Yet despite these hurdles, the J-35A's performance—particularly its peerless stealth capabilities, arguably the most advanced in tactical aviation history—has impressed operators enough to deem the mixed-fleet approach "worth the effort." This confidence stems from the aircraft's unprecedented combat potential.
Fifteen years ago, the three regiments of the 1st Aviation Division were equipped with domestically produced J-10A, J-8F, and J-11B fighters.
Today, its successor units (The 1st Fighter Brigade) now operate J-35A, J-20A, J-20, J-16, and J-16D aircraft.
After three-quarters of a century, this aviation force born in the flames of war has finally evolved into the most powerful tactical air combat unit in human history.
The current transition of the first wave of J-20 units to a mixed fleet including the J-35A is particularly noteworthy. These units are not only receiving the J-35A but will also continue to induct the upgraded J-20A in the near future.
This suggests the PLAAF may view both the J-35A and J-20A as a form of "5.5-generation" aircraft, justifying their prioritized deployment to elite "tip-of-the-spear" units to further sharpen combat readiness.
However, fielding cutting-edge fighters comes with significant challenges. Developing and refining maintenance procedures, pioneering new tactical doctrines, and drafting updated training manuals all require substantial effort. Given that these priority units shoulder heavy responsibilities in routine maritime and aerial sovereignty missions, the additional burden is considerable.
Yet despite these hurdles, the J-35A's performance—particularly its peerless stealth capabilities, arguably the most advanced in tactical aviation history—has impressed operators enough to deem the mixed-fleet approach "worth the effort." This confidence stems from the aircraft's unprecedented combat potential.
I‘m actually not sure if this correct, especially because you can't equate the 1st Air Brigade with the 1st Air Division, because only the former 1st AR corresponds to the 1st AB.
If you take it exactly, then the old 1st AD with its three regiments corresponds to today's three brigades No. 1st, 2nd & 3rd, where actually the 3rd J-16/J-16D (still unconfirmed) flies, the 2nd J-20 and the first J-20 & J35A, unless the J-20 of the 1st were passed on to the 2nd to make room for the J-35A. Consequently, we have to see if the 1st AB still flies J-20!
Well, yes. But it's not as significant of an improvement like the tailless J-36/50 to the J-20/35.
(and size ≠ bigger RCS since you can fit more robust RAS)