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

[Buncheong]

As this aircraft enters service, will they completely replace the J-11 platform? Or partially? Asking because I am curious as to how long the service life of the J-11 airframes will be ...

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

As this aircraft enters service, will they completely replace the J-11 platform? Or partially? Asking because I am curious as to how long the service life of the J-11 airframes will be ...

I don't think that the J-35As are meant to be direct replacements for the J-11s.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Just a side-by-side comparison between the two aircraft...
View attachment 138880

good picture..

looks like WS-13E and WS-21 engines both have tested on two different J-35 variants..

i hope things are clear now. most of the people consider WS-21 just a improved version of WS-13 engine but WS-21 is a different machine based on WS-13 with new combustion chamber , alloys and material. apart from physical appearance both are different machines..

WS-21 single engine afterburner thrust is 9+ tons. rest we don't know much.

 

[Buncheong]

I don't think that the J-35As are meant to be direct replacement for the J-11s.

Thanks for the continuing education and for the helpful replies. I am relatively new here and don't know much (and therefore don't post much), and so your time and help are very gratefully appreciated.

 

[FirebirdFan]

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）

Assuming your idea, is it possible the reason for the different nozzles may be WS-21 vs WS-19?

 

[Alfa_Particle]

Was this already posted and is it the same (aka second) J-35A?

View attachment 138879

I think it's a completely separate airframe. The nozzles are different compared to the first one while having the newer/fancier vertical stabilizers.

Note the hexagonal-shaped thing on the tailsting too. Neither of the previous ones have it.

 

[Schwerter_]

Assuming your idea, is it possible the reason for the different nozzles may be WS-21 vs WS-19?

I would think that’s pretty likely, by it’s looks the second J-35A that debuted yesterday had more or less the same engine as the naval variant, and if the naval variant used ws-21 then it only makes sense that this visually very similar engine is also ws-21

 

[Alfa_Particle]

Making a wild guess, this and the one yesterday are from the same 'series' of prototypes (i.e. similar to the J-20 202X/205X). This one is from the series testing the fancy stabilizers with different engines, the one earlier today is from an earlier series testing avionics only.

 

[Deino]

Just a side-by-side comparison between the two aircraft...
View attachment 138880

since it seems, we have now three individual aircraft identified, so maybe you could add this one into your comparison chart too?

 

[lgnxz]

Was this already posted and is it the same (aka second) J-35A?

View attachment 138879

This third one also flew without using its luneberg lens too..? Pretty bold and quite risky, make me also doubt that these aircrafts are already in LRIP or ready for PLAAF service