Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Sorry, but he should have read the comments here before posting ... I'm still sure it is only the J-15 mock-up !

Yeah, it didn't look entirely convincing as a supposed J-31 to me either. I hadn't heard of the rumour before though, so thought I throw it out there. Moving on, I'm looking forward to seeing the next prototype with the same kind of evolutions as J-20 went through.

Jeff Head said:

I think he meant WS to stand for "Weapons Stations". At least that was how I read it.

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I think you meant external "Weapons Stores" (the correct nomenclature)

Interesting comparison ...

Deino said:

Interesting comparison ...

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Before and after photos of the stealth fighter weight watchers program?

Deino said:

Interesting comparison ...

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Well the configuration is of course very similar, except of course the Verts on the J-31 are shaped like the Raptor's, but gear placement, and overall fuselage wing are very similar.... as I have stated before, the technology flows from a "community pool", well I've never actually put it that way, but all the research on stealth technology, except for super secret "proprietary" technology, is OUT THERE for public consumption..... Not necessarily by intention, but folks like to show off,,,,, "yes, even the Chinese and the Russians",,,,,,, so as I was saying and have said in the past, whether you "designed it, bought it, or borrowed it",,, the technology comes from a common thread...

So Equation, while you suggest that the F-35 is "chesty, or buxom" you will note that each of the truly L/O fifth gen aircraft designs share that "full figured" appearance in order to carry weapons "internally and to maximize L/O", that is the the design philosophy of this present generation of fighters, the PAK-FA has dispensed with some L/O, in order to optimize the kinematic advantage over her peers, and yes it is the "snarkiest" of all the fifth gens, and is covered with lift and control enhancers, in addition to OVT,,,, likely in a close in, turn and burn, this airplane would give the Raptor a run for its money..

I would remind all, that the F-35 is a "niche" aircraft that has been expanded to make her an all rounder, but she does have lots of thrust out of that single F 135, had the design philosophy been kept "pure" she would be a great deal lighter, and less expensive, but she will do what she was designed to do, no doubt!

back on topic, the J-31 looks like those other airplanes by virtue of drawing from a common "gene pool", she will no doubt need some help to get up to speed starting with replacing those "smoky" old Russian RD93s, but that's where she is in the development process, lots of potential, but now its the little things that MUST all ad up to give you the airplane you are aiming to build and fly.

one final thought before we clear baffles and accelerate to flank, is that its one thing to build an airplane that looks "fifth gen", its a whole nother realm to do the little things that make a fifth gen a fifth gen, and that's where we start to spend the "cubic money" that doesn't come in bills, but in "bales". brat out

Guys ... can we come back to the topic ??? PLEASE !!

I removed all the engine-related stuff to the "Chinese Engine Development" tread ... please continue there.

http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/air-force/chinese-engine-development-192-252.html

Deino

Rumor that J-31 might attend Zhuhai airshow.

There's also been rumours of Y-20 attending, a J-20 static display... and now J-31?? It all seems like a bit much.

We'll know in a month or so I suppose

These must have been taken from a chase plane.