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

[Blitzo]

New thread for J-35A as well as FC-31 variants thread (basically for all "air force" variants of both)

Old thread here

Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Really? As you know my obsession with numbers, besides some nice close-up images of that aircraft itself, I'm most of all interested in "which prototype" (1st, 2nd or whatever) of the AF-version it is! All I know is that the image may not reflect the final production quality. We'll see soon...

www.sinodefenceforum.com

 

[ismellcopium]

Just to be clear, which specific pieces of info revealed today were the most surprising, which were more or less already known/expected?

 

[KampfAlwin]

It's glorious to see the rush of cope coming in from western social media

 

[Miyayaya]

Comparisons (cropped a bit 'cause too large)

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

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Congrats to SAC and an interesting side by side with F-35A, though the angles are off. I must say I enjoy the sleek look of the J-35A better. Very eager to learn and see more of the weapons bay, here's to hoping we get some open bay shots during the debut!

J-35A "Gym Amy".

 

[CannedFish]

The opening above the left intake is the gun opening, I presume? I really do hope this will be different in the production variant, was hoping there would be a gun port cover.

 

[CannedFish]

The opening above the left intake is the gun opening, I presume? I really do hope this will be different in the production variant, was hoping there would be a gun port cover.

Nvm, it is a cooling inlet. The entrance is trapezoidal to reduce signature, something similar to the hump/device on the F-35.

 

[iBBz]

I am quite surprised by this one. Still not sure why we really need to have a PLAAF version of J-35A.

The best reasoning I can come up with are:
1) Supports industrial base with Shenyang AC and keep cost down for both air force and navy
2) Helps provide support for medium sized aeroengine that would both both J-35A and UCAVs
3) Helps with export when your own air force is also buying it.

Its also an essential diplomatic tool. The US basically owns the countries that it sells the F-35 to, so China urgently needs a counter to that.

 

[gelgoog]

J-35A "Gym Amy".

 

[Deino]

Cross-posted from the Zhuhai Expo 2024 main thread.

Said J-35A for the PLAAF in question. Posted by the official Weibo account of CCTV7 and @Captain小潇 on Weibo.

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Wow! I must confess, I am surprised, astonished, amazed … and I think it is easy to say that the unveiling of the J-35A, the confirmation as a PLAAF variant and the presentation in Zhuhai is the sensation of the year, at least for me!

You have to keep in mind, we have been talking about it for years, only since September 2023 have there been more tangible information about this version, for a long time only blurry or very small photos were available, usually there was speculation about an export version along the J-35 carrier version and now, just under 14 months after the known first flight, it is shown in Zhuhai?? Just wow ... and that's where the questions begin to circle with me:

- since when is the PLAAF interested in its own version?
- what prototype is this (can anyone recognise a number?)?
- how far advanced is the program in the meantime, how many prototypes are there?
- what does the original variant J-35 do in parallel? (Prototypes 01, 03 and 05 are currently confirmed and probably another one ... but maybe there are more in the meantime?)

Questions about questions and all this so early in the morning.