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

Tomboy · 2026-01-06T13:28:25-0500

sequ said:
The whole cover for the EOTS thing could be explained by something trivial as "the law prevents use of weapons systems by civilians" or something like that.

Which apparently doesn't apply for every other aircraft that has an EOTS? As they seem fine flying from the factory with no cover.

sequ · 2026-01-06T13:29:35-0500

Tomboy said:
Which apparently doesn't apply for every other aircraft that has a EOTS?

Perhaps the tests pilots are not military but civillian? Plus the military use them as well just for protection when the sytems isn't intended to be used.

Maikeru · 2026-01-06T13:45:29-0500

Tomboy said:
Which apparently doesn't apply for every other aircraft that has an EOTS? As they seem fine flying from the factory with no cover.

You know Flankers have a rotating cover for their IRST balls, right? How often do you see one uncovered?

sunnymaxi · 2026-01-06T13:52:35-0500

Maikeru said:
You know Flankers have a rotating cover for their IRST balls, right? How often do you see one uncovered?

@vincent posted this image on last page.

LRIP J-20.. look at EOTS being fully covered.

latenlazy · 2026-01-06T14:13:49-0500

sunnymaxi said:
solid start by SAC in 2026. seems like first batch of J-35/J-35A rolling out from assembly line. i m actually more impressed by AECC Guiyang work. it means WS-21/WS-19 production going well.

no wonder chief designer earned its place in Chinese academy of Engineering.

Maybe Gongke stopped posting because they actually put him to work.

wssth0306 · 2026-01-07T02:05:23-0500

is there any good image for Id the J35A to the naval version ? Like any good info graphic to help ID the air force and the Navy version

Deino · 2026-01-07T02:38:03-0500

wssth0306 said:
is there any good image for Id the J35A to the naval version ? Like any good info graphic to help ID the air force and the Navy version

Yes ... several: The best detail to differ both is the single front landing gear vs. tw. tires on the naval J-35 and the naval variant has a much larger wing.

vincent · 2026-01-07T02:51:43-0500

Or watch for the colour of the pilots’ helmets.

Deino · 2026-01-07T03:18:12-0500

vincent said:
Or watch for the colour of the pilots’ helmets.

Yes, ... however this is likely a bit difficult to see: Anyway, Navy blue:

And Air Force grey!

Gloire_bb · 2026-01-07T03:31:59-0500

Maikeru said:
You know Flankers have a rotating cover for their IRST balls, right? How often do you see one uncovered?

Flankers do exactly b/c they can rotate 360 in vertical, but how do you rotate this one?

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

Tomboy

Captain

sequ

Colonel

Maikeru

Colonel

sunnymaxi

Colonel

latenlazy

Brigadier

wssth0306

Junior Member

Deino

Lieutenant General

vincent

Grumpy Old Man

Deino

Lieutenant General

Gloire_bb

Major