My guess would be the one from today is more recent. The stabilizers and nozzles lines up better with what we see from the naval version, plus the clearly visible EODAS window suggest its more mature in avionics.
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
I think we should better concentrate on the airframe related changes like the horizontal tails accuactors since such changes are more a sign to a revised later structure than a „simple“ add-on system which can be just installed at a later date.
Yesterday's one is to test the new type of horizontal stabs and not avionics. Think of it as the J-20's 2051 prototype.
Where'd the more refined part come from eh? If anything yesterday's one is more refined to me: the new stabilizers, coated nozzle petals, etc.
The naval version was repeatedly said to have a different approach to the stabilizers from what I've heard.
Look, think of it this way: The 202X prototypes for the J-20 may have a complete avionics system, but it's not more recent than the 205Xs.
Certainly could be true, but would contradict what was said in the podcast.
what the red dot and line on the left horizontal stabiliser?A few more.
Just a side-by-side comparison between the two aircraft...
Pretty sure this is the first one (the one with fancy tail), judging from the apparent lack of DAS apertures on the side of the nose, the fact that the lower ridge on the nose doesn’t have exposed green primer and that its engines look more like the “first” J-35A without the rather distinctive serrated inner nozzle layer that protrudes past the outer “feathers” (I’m sure there’s a dedicated word for it but it escapes my mind for the time being）