Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

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Dizasta1

Dizasta1

Senior Member
TerraN_EmpirE said:
Pakistan. Pure and simple Pakistan. They were promised Gen 5 by China to compete with Indian T50 and Rafales.
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This deduction seems fair.

Pakistan Air Force has been seeking capabilities which include AESA Radars and Data-Link. At present, the JF-17 Thunder program is of supreme importance for Pakistan Air Force. For those who've closely followed the views of senior Pakistan Air Force personnel, know that there is a very strong and vocal demand to strictly concentrate on the JF-17 Thunder program and its incremental development. So much so, that any talk of further F-16C/D procurement, has effectively been squashed. Given credence to how important the PAF-Command, considers the JF-17 Thunder program.

The J-31 presents a leap in capability for Pakistan Air Force. But, it would be the responsibility of Pakistan Air Force's and the PMLN-Government's leadership, to take relevant measures on the defence-budget, over the next 5 years. So that it enables the appropriation for the J-31s. The J-31 brings with it, the ability for Pakistan Air Force establish and maintain Air-Dominance over its air-space. And over the next 5-7 years, it is likely that the JF-17 Thunder would've evolved to the extent that it will play an important role, along side the J-31.

A safe conclusion can be made, that the J-31 would be combat ready in the next 5-7 years?

Iraq will try for the T50 but is still more likely to end up with a coin based air force. Iran is under sanctions and not likely to slip them unless there is miracle. Syria is in the Russian camp but the current civil war is any ones guess. North Korea is penny less and even if the Kim clan had the cash is also sanctioned only the Iranians are likely to sell stealth to them. Venezuela is another option but I figure Russian T50 for them as Chavez placed them deeply in the Russian orbit. Cuba is dirt poor and only has sugarcane to barter with so they are out, Argentina is scrambling for cash. Most everyone else who has the cash are already on F35 or T50 or just going to upgrade their existing fleets to Gen 4.5 plus.
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Potential customers for the J-31 may be found in the likes of Algeria. Where the Algerians are left with a bitter taste, after the MiG-29SMT Fulcurm fiasco. China would find a more open-minded Algeria, for the J-31s. With after-sales support and quality assuarance, China has a solid opportunity there. Since historically, they've only dealt with Russia and America. I strongly believe that Algeria would most certainly be inclined to seriously consider the opportunity to get its hands on a Gen-5 Stealth Fighter!

Apart from Algeria, China would find a willing and financially able customer in Azerbaijan. The country has traditional oil-wealth and as rumor has it, they were interested in the JF-17 Thunders, back in 2010. It is only upto China to avail the opening in Azerbaijan, who seems keen in building its Air Force and projecting power in the Caucus region.
 
C

chuck731

Banned Idiot
latenlazy said:
I'm not disputing that. I'm simply pointing out that the commitment is being made when you decide to fly a prototype even after losing out on the competition. After all, the J-31 wasn't THE fighter for SAC's J-XX submission. The original design had to be modified and downsized into the J-31 we see today.
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J-31 could still be flying purely as a technology demostrator and research platform, similar to Su-47.
 
C

chuck731

Banned Idiot
Dizasta1 said:
This deduction seems fair.

Pakistan Air Force has been seeking capabilities which include AESA Radars and Data-Link. At present, the JF-17 Thunder program is of supreme importance for Pakistan Air Force. For those who've closely followed the views of senior Pakistan Air Force personnel, know that there is a very strong and vocal demand to strictly concentrate on the JF-17 Thunder program and its incremental development. So much so, that any talk of further F-16C/D procurement, has effectively been squashed. Given credence to how important the PAF-Command, considers the JF-17 Thunder program.

The J-31 presents a leap in capability for Pakistan Air Force. But, it would be the responsibility of Pakistan Air Force's and the PMLN-Government's leadership, to take relevant measures on the defence-budget, over the next 5 years. So that it enables the appropriation for the J-31s. The J-31 brings with it, the ability for Pakistan Air Force establish and maintain Air-Dominance over its air-space. And over the next 5-7 years, it is likely that the JF-17 Thunder would've evolved to the extent that it will play an important role, along side the J-31.

A safe conclusion can be made, that the J-31 would be combat ready in the next 5-7 years?



Potential customers for the J-31 may be found in the likes of Algeria. Where the Algerians are left with a bitter taste, after the MiG-29SMT Fulcurm fiasco. China would find a more open-minded Algeria, for the J-31s. With after-sales support and quality assuarance, China has a solid opportunity there. Since historically, they've only dealt with Russia and America. I strongly believe that Algeria would most certainly be inclined to seriously consider the opportunity to get its hands on a Gen-5 Stealth Fighter!

Apart from Algeria, China would find a willing and financially able customer in Azerbaijan. The country has traditional oil-wealth and as rumor has it, they were interested in the JF-17 Thunders, back in 2010. It is only upto China to avail the opening in Azerbaijan, who seems keen in building its Air Force and projecting power in the Caucus region.
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A fighter like the J-31, if it were to ever see service, would likely remain in service for 40-50 years. By making judicious updates and wisely targeted enhancements, it seems fair to expect that it could continue to remain competitive in important niches for 20-30 years. It seems premature to count all the potential customers for such a long lived product right now.

Back when F-15 was FX, who would have thought singapore and South Korea would end up flying it?
 
L

latenlazy

Brigadier
chuck731 said:
J-31 could still be flying purely as a technology demostrator and research platform, similar to Su-47.
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Sure, but the point is that it's not impossible or even unlikely. There are potential markets for the design, and beyond development we're also seeing some marketing.
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
AssassinsMace said:
Nice job removing the landing gear.

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It's a good looking aircraft for sure. Reminds me of...


F35Eglin.jpg

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kwaigonegin

kwaigonegin

Colonel
Jeff Head said:
It's a good looking aircraft for sure. Reminds me of...


F35Eglin.jpg

​
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it actually looks more like the Raptor to me than the f35. like a baby raptor. I honestly don't care too much for the F-35's looks.. It's not ugly but it is definitely no looker like the Rafale or the Raptor.
 
Air Force Brat

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
kwaigonegin said:
it actually looks more like the Raptor to me than the f35. like a baby raptor. I honestly don't care too much for the F-35's looks.. It's not ugly but it is definitely no looker like the Rafale or the Raptor.
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I agree with you Kwai, but I loved that two seat J-20, I agree on the F-35, why I have dubbed her the ThunderHogge II, shes kinda a pooch all the way around, but the J-31 is a looker, I really hope to see it in full production on the Liaoning II, I think it kinda goes along with Jeff's lament about no Naval Raptor. brat
 
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