I believe it's for ramping up production for future carriers. It's probably not worth it just to make an entirely new production line just for 3 carriers China has right now but who knows how many carriers China is going to build in the future.
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
I guess:
In early 2010s, Chinese Air Force planned for possible options for their future cost-friendly fleet, which are J11D/J16 (domestic produced Su27/Su30 with upgraded radar). The two were compared and J16 was prefered.
FC31 was a third option, but the Air Force didn't like it then, for whatever reasons (too costly or too little payload or else). The Navy found this to be a potential option for their stealth fighter for carrier, and then invested. The name J35 was given at some point after the Navy wanted it. Upto here it sounds like the story of YF17-F18.
Then, at some point, the Air Force reviewed propotypes of J35 and realized it outperformed J16. The latter just can't detect J35 in a combat, while the price tag of J35 looks reasonable. The Air Force want to have their version as well, and there comes the J35A.
In early 2010s, Chinese Air Force planned for possible options for their future cost-friendly fleet, which are J11D/J16 (domestic produced Su27/Su30 with upgraded radar). The two were compared and J16 was prefered.
FC31 was a third option, but the Air Force didn't like it then, for whatever reasons (too costly or too little payload or else). The Navy found this to be a potential option for their stealth fighter for carrier, and then invested. The name J35 was given at some point after the Navy wanted it. Upto here it sounds like the story of YF17-F18.
Then, at some point, the Air Force reviewed propotypes of J35 and realized it outperformed J16. The latter just can't detect J35 in a combat, while the price tag of J35 looks reasonable. The Air Force want to have their version as well, and there comes the J35A.
We might see WS-19s on serial J-35/35As next year.
I guess it follows a similar logic as F-15 based on countering Mig-25. Those 2 also bear some superficial resemblance.
I think the naming is very much on purpose, this one is meant to be a direct counterpart to F-35, while J-20 is more of a luxury overmatch weapon.
On the contrary, I've been hoping for Shenyang's lines to assist with 5th gen for a long time. The arrival of J-35 is earlier than I dared to hope, but absolutely vital to counter a threat environment characterised by a sharp rise in foreign revanchism. China must not permit itself to fall behind on the quantity game.
Flankers can't be cost-friendly by default, it's one of the most expensive platforms per hour out there.
J-35, on the other hand, can and should be cheaper than J-20A. It also can have better LO properties.
very much possible at this point.
in 2023, chief designer of WS-19 said, we are entering in material selection stage. and WS-19 is the first military engine program in China to use digitalization in order to reduce development cycle..
So how do we define the status of the 35A currently? It doesn't count as LRIP right? So technically still in the prototyping stage or what?
It's glorious to see the rush of cope coming in from western social media
That's just an appetizer experience.
The main dish will be served once the J-XD technology demonstrator/prototype takes to the skies - Especially (a big) IF that happens before the NGAD.