Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Equation said:

I'm still waiting for the "tail hook" version of the J-31.

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I think we wont see this version until the 2nd prototype or 3rd one rolling out...

Deino said:

Seems as if SAC wants to Counter CAC's unveiling of '2011' !! ... as such wouln't mind and let the show begin !! So what about the new JH-XX or the J-17 and J-18 ??

Deino

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They could have picked a much better paint job at least if they really wanted to steal at least a small bit of 2011's thunder.

chuck731 said:

They could have picked a much better paint job at least if they really wanted to steal at least a small bit of 2011's thunder.

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Agreed, but from what I've heard in other forums, this image is not a recent one as I assumed but on image taken nearly one year ago. But to admit, I don't know.

Deino

Deino said:

Agreed, but from what I've heard in other forums, this image is not a recent one as I assumed but on image taken nearly one year ago. But to admit, I don't know.

Deino

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The supposingly new photo is taken during winter period. It is winter, breaking spring now in China.

Hence the picture is taken either last year's Jan or this year.

For its timeline, we cant really know now since its metadata could be erased long ago.

FarkTypeSoldier said:

The supposingly new photo is taken during winter period. It is winter, breaking spring now in China.

Hence the picture is taken either last year's Jan or this year.

For its timeline, we cant really know now since its metadata could be erased long ago.

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I do hope we see this bird in the air again soon, and I rather like the paint, it lends itself to selling the "stealth" aspect of the J-31, and I love the "bird of prey" graphics on the tail. As I drove to the dentist this morning, I observed a young adult "bald eagle", I had never realised how short their body is in relationship to their wingspan, I had driven up behind him, and assumed it was a "great blue heron", as I got closer he was 25' above the ground and flying parallel to the roadway, for some reason, his broad chord and great wingspan almost made him look "awkward", lots of wing area, when a bald eagle dives, he reduces his wingspan by drawing them in-ward much like the F-14 Tomcat. The J-31 has a very A-2-A profile, I'm sure the fuselage also produces lift, I am anxiously awaiting some air to air pictures of this aircraft as well?????

I was wondering whether the J-31 has any kind of radar installed. Since neither SAC or CAC build radars they are made by a company in Nanking. (601 Institute ?) We know that the J-10B, J-15, J-16 and the J-20 all have fitting radars because these are PLA sanctioned projects. But since the J-31 doesn't seem to have full PLA backing you can ask what kind of radar the plane uses if any.

Not sure if this is an official model.

Those bay missiles look way off-scale (to the model and each other), so it's either a fan model, or if it's actually official, sino-CUDAs?!

Franklin said:

I was wondering whether the J-31 has any kind of radar installed. Since neither SAC or CAC build radars they are made by a company in Nanking. (601 Institute ?) We know that the J-10B, J-15, J-16 and the J-20 all have fitting radars because these are PLA sanctioned projects. But since the J-31 doesn't seem to have full PLA backing you can ask what kind of radar the plane uses if any.

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Did the JF-17 go without radar because it isn't backed by the PLA?

Could be an R Darter class weapon (about six inches in diameter).