Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

A lot of people writing about this but it seems they're all basically repeating what Bill Sweetman wrote. David Axe brings up the carrier possiblity but of course with his condescending spin.



Huitong updated his blog. Anyone who hasn't read his forum... he says he's constructing a new site.

MiG-29 said:

With respect F-35 the lack of VSTOL is a great disadvantage because airstrip are needed for stealth fighters and these are not stealthy, you want to keep a stealth fighter useless well just eliminate the airstrips and voila you repeat 1967
war

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By that logic, every fighter that isn't a VSTOL is a wasted buy.

latenlazy said:

If SAC intends to market a J-31 for both land and carrier based operations, I don't think they would need to worry about optimizing carrier capable features on their first prototype. The PLAN is a much less ready buyer than the PLAAF and may not need fighters for carrier operations nearly as quickly, which would give SAC plenty of time to optimize the features of the plane in later prototypes.

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Well, I've read it many a time from big shrimp talks that it is the PLAN that has been more worried about their own 5th Gen fighter than the PLAAF. For it's a done deal that the PLAAF has its J-20 but the PLAN has nothing concrete yet. One latest piece I read is that a new J-20 has a tail hook(!), in addition to that the J-2003 went through lots of changes, especially in the use of more composite...

her small size,not to mention internal space been use to store weapon,mean her achilles heel going to be her range, same problem early model of MIG-29 has ecnounter-lack of range.

latenlazy said:

Yeah, but I don't know if the PLAAF would bite on that idea, and if they did whether they'd buy in enough numbers to make the project worthwhile. I think while SAC is trying to entice the PLA, the PLANAF is just the more natural potential customer, assuming that they intend on producing a carrier capable version.

Anyways, wait and see right?

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A while ago when the SAC F-60 first appeared on the road, Pupu said that the PLAAF is happy with J-20 and won't have the F-60...

Player99 said:

A while ago when the SAC F-60 first appeared on the road, Pupu said that the PLAAF is happy with J-20 and won't have the F-60...

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SAC probably thinks there's enough time to convince the PLAAF otherwise. Get the project rolling, build a few prototypes, go through the testing, and market it to a large audience. Eventually the PLAAF may decide to be a buyer but if not they can aim for other markets too.

rhino123 said:

Well... for what purpose this bird is suppose to be for is still pretty unclear at this stage. It might be solely for export purposes and with very little internal market, and the Chinese might had predicted that their largest customer being Pakistan who already was using the WS-13 so it is easier and cleaner logistically wise for the Pakistanis this way.

Another reason for the WS-13 was that the engine was available now and so they are used to fly the prototype. Who knows in the future other engines will be used?

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Well as far as PAF is concerned they will first evaluate this baby & put their inputs if needed then they will wait till the maturity of J31 & F60. same the way they did with J10 put their inputs & now waiting the induction of matured J10B.

timepass said:

Well as far as PAF is concerned they will first evaluate this baby & put their inputs if needed then they will wait till the maturity of J31 & F60. same the way they did with J10 put their inputs & now waiting the induction of matured J10B.

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Actually that is the case for all countries who are getting something new. However that might not be the rule of the thumb. Look at JF-17, the Chinese didn't order much, rather this seemed to be a bird solely for the Pakistanis. As I have mentioned, the main purpose for the J-31 is still unclear at present moment, was it aimed solely at export market, was it for the PLAN, was it design as a replacement for older J-10, all was unclear.

Pakistan will not have any input in the development of this aircraft, as they do not operate a comparable platform
JF-17 was a JV, and they had extensive experience with the F-16

Replacement for the J-10? CAC will make sure that does not happen, J-10B will have plenty of service years even after the J-31 is ready to be inducted, also the rumor of single engined J-2X

This J-31 is perfect for the PLAN like the F-18 and the USN, with the exception of being a generation ahead, thats why SAC is banking hard on this

J-20 for carrier operations? Impossibru!!!

Rhino & Paintgun, you took me wrong. I didn't say that PAF have their inputs on this baby.

I have clearly mention in my post that PAF will first evaluate & if possible they will give their in puts & that is only when PAF is intersted in this baby.

JF 17 was JV but J10B is not but PAF officials are extensively involved in J10B creation & same we have seen with Quing class SSKs where PN officials are extensively involved & giving their outputs which gathered from AUG-90B which currently they are operating plus the informations they had of Merlin & U-214 which on offer to PN from French & Germans since last couple of years.