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

[TK3600]

Why get J-10 when you have J-11? Or vice versa. The reason could be unrelated to aircraft performance. Perhaps J-35 is just a slightly better aircraft overall and you may as well buy both. Perhaps Shenyang needs support. The reason are endless and you will never find the true cuase by staring at aircraft itself on a microscope.

 

[Nomi007]

Where is internal gun?

 

[jnd85]

Rise of the Planet of the 35s.

View attachment 138341

Interesting, and very amusing!

 

[Atomicfrog]

Where is internal gun?

In the bin, it's dead weight.

 

[Schwerter_]

In the bin, it's dead weight.

To be fair there have been papers on this topic
J35 gun paper

Granted, we don’t know if this is actually what’s on the aircraft, or if it’s just a paper done for funsies, but it’s probably imprudent to completely exclude the possibility of it having a gun without further information

 

[Maikeru]

All those negating the use of guns and WVRAAMs should note that J35A won't be spending its entire time duking it out with F35s over the FIC. There are more 'mundane' tasks like shooting down drones, LACMs and balloons that do not require BVRAAMs and can be achieved just as effectively and at much lower cost with guns and WVRAAMs. "Send a J10/11/16" you say - what if there's none available in the area?

 

[siegecrossbow]

All those negating the use of guns and WVRAAMs should note that J35A won't be spending its entire time duking it out with F35s over the FIC. There are more 'mundane' tasks like shooting down drones, LACMs and balloons that do not require BVRAAMs and can be achieved just as effectively and at much lower cost with guns and WVRAAMs. "Send a J10/11/16" you say - what if there's none available in the area?

If you need to shoot down a drone don’t send a fifth gen. Also, laser pods might be available later.

 

[Atomicfrog]

To be fair there have been papers on this topic
J35 gun paper

Granted, we don’t know if this is actually what’s on the aircraft, or if it’s just a paper done for funsies, but it’s probably imprudent to completely exclude the possibility of it having a gun without further information

It was more to close futile discussions that spin and spin around right round on the subject... yeah there's a 80s pun in there.

 

[minime]

Just a probably rather obvious thought: some rumours suggest that the particular J-35A they publically shown just then will join service immediately after the airshow, but I doubt it.

It doesn't have EODAS windows, nor a complete EOTS. Same with the 2051 prototype.

There is a possibility J-35A is not fully equip as J-20 does to keep the cost down.
J-35A's role and doctrine in PLAAF still yet to see.

 

[Arienai]

But please explain HOW!

We know the first true J-35A made its maiden flight only in September 2023, so even if surely a lot was done by testing the FC-31V2 demonstrator and the naval J-35s, it seems to me impossible to have a fifth generation fighter ready for OPEVAL and delivered to units after only a bit more than 14 months!!

What am I missing??

Quickly summarizing some of the interesting things said about J35A in today's stream by Yankee, Shilao and Ayi.:

• This unit at the airshow shouldn't be the first production unit delivered to PLAAF.
• Don't be surprised if J35As are not as fully equipped as the naval J35 to keep the cost down.
• J20's current production rate is basically maxed out. Along with the development of 6th gen, CAC's burden is too heavy right now.
• PLAAF is still looking forward to expand the scale of its fleet while improving fleet quality.

Obviously they also talked about a lot more stuff, I suggest anyone that's interested to watch it if you can. Sounds like PLAAF is simply looking for a cheaper 5th gen that can quickly improve the scale of PLAAF's 5th gen fleet. They mentioned that PLAN want the max spec version of J35 since it's the only 5th gen they'll have, and they only need so many jets. However for PLAAF, they are not looking for J35A to do all things J20 can do (at least AA wise). They also talked about the importance of having such a type of multi-role stealth aircraft at improving PLAAF's stratigic capabilities. The sheer number of 5th gen is more important to PLAAF than a lot of people thought, and they want it as soon as possible.

Thus my personal guess would be: J35A simply used most of the mature stuff that have already been tested on J35 prototypes and FC31 demonstrators. Don't forget J35A is mostly the same as FC31 2.0 aerodynamic wise, which has been flying for years, and the changes such as the shape at the back of the canopy is something tested on J35 already. Electronic wise it might simply be the same thing or even lower spec version of J35. Thus we can't view its testing period as if it's a new jet that first flight last year. It's basicly an almost mature product off the shelf from AVIC.