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

[Gloire_bb]

Everyone knows the 5th gen fighters fall under a given RCS bracket so there should be nothing surprising at all.

The issue isn't brackets and approximate portraits (everyone does them through models at RCS ranges), the issue is exact portrait.
It compromises stealth to a very significant degree, allowing detecting LO aircraft well below usual noise filters.
The harm is even worse in situations where LO benefits are maximum (under heavy EW).

 

[Blitzo]

This raises a question, as apparently we can’t see any airframe panels (even the nose), it all feels like one single piece.

How would maintenance look like if an aircraft encounters even the most minor damages (bird hit) etc?

How would it be disassembled?

@Deino

There's no reason to think it is one piece.
It's just that the finish, the colour, and the distance of the camera makes it look very smooth like one piece.

The one piece is not real.

 

[taxiya]

This raises a question, as apparently we can’t see any airframe panels (even the nose), it all feels like one single piece.

How would maintenance look like if an aircraft encounters even the most minor damages (bird hit) etc?

How would it be disassembled?

@Deino

Just look closer at better photos. BTW, this is the closest J-35 photo I have seen and is still far far from adequate to reveal the actual suface finishing of any aircraft. J-35's quality is top class, there is no doubt, but it is not a magic and is still made by the same manufacturing technology of AVIC that is used elsewhere.

 

[Hermes]

Just look closer at better photos. BTW, this is the closest J-35 photo I have seen and is still far far from adequate to reveal the actual suface finishing of any aircraft. J-35's quality is top class, there is no doubt, but it is not a magic and is still made by the same manufacturing technology of AVIC that is used elsewhere.
View attachment 155991

I wonder what these bumps are. Is it bad finishing or some sort of joint covered by a RAM skin (?)

 

[qwerty3173]

View attachment 156001

I wonder what these bumps are. Is it bad finishing or some sort of joint covered by a RAM skin (?)

Its just the frame that is behind the surface materials. All aircraft are constructed like this, just metal bars behind.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

Doesn't look like assembly itself, more like production testing or inspection

J-35A in green primer on the assembly floor.

约克 mentioned that the hall is a flight test station/hall (试飞站), which I'm inclined to believe based on what I know about him.

 

[Franklin]

I remember the FC-31 being ignored by the PLA for nearly a decade so what has changed since that they are now pushing the J-35 into service.

 

[CaribouTruth]

I remember the FC-31 being ignored by the PLA for nearly a decade so what has changed since that they are now pushing the J-35 into service.

The Navy wanted its own 5th gen carrier fighter, and decided that FC-31 would be a good starting point to base it off of. This led to the development of the J-35.
The Airforce then pitched in for a land variant, J-35A because they have now understood the capabilities provided by stealth fighters and have decided that they need stealth fighters in even larger numbers than just what Chengdu can provide year on year.

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

I remember the FC-31 being ignored by the PLA for nearly a decade so what has changed since that they are now pushing the J-35 into service.

The FC-31 wasn't 'ignored' that long. 31001 flew on 10/31/2012 and the improved 31003 on 12/23/2016, then by late 2018 we already heard rumors that the PLAN had selected it as the basis for its next-gen carrier-borne fighter.

 

[defenceman]

Hi,
and Of cource y the time Fujian type 003 sailing perfectly chinese Navy have their own
5th generation J35 version, so onward around 2017, SAC also start pushing it self and
spreading their wings to get something ready for Fujian
thank you