Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Cockpit layout seems to be similar to the F-35 with a large touch screen in the middle and stick to one side with exception to a panel on top, plus a smaller screen panel at the bottom.


J-31


F-35

J-31's cockpit ergonomics will improve once PAF gets a close look at the Turkish F-35s.

Verum said:

Is it just me that's noticing the thick exhaust fume? Is it typical for Russian engines or does NATO engines do the same?

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This has been mentioned before.

31001 is using RD-93 engines, which are notorious for its exhaust fumes.

Bltizo said:

This has been mentioned before.

31001 is using RD-93 engines, which are notorious for its exhaust fumes.

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Yeah, shes a "smoker", prolly Virginia Slims???

Note the cutout by the cockpit. It's probably for a refueling probe.

What about that small hexagonal opening, for cannon?

no_name said:

What about that small hexagonal opening, for cannon?

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might be for DAS ...

no_name said:

What about that small hexagonal opening, for cannon?

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Way too small for a cannon.

I'm rather puzzled by the J-31 project. It has appeared on the Zhuhai Air Show so it will most likely not be cancelled. But at the same time we don't see a second prototype coming out of SAC either. The fact that they have shown the J-31 on Zhuhai means that this project has official approval and is geared towards the export market as a cheaper alternative to the F-35. But the project doesn't seems to be moving forward at this point.

The J-31 uses the Russian RD-93 engines. Does China have the ability to maintain the RD-93 like they do with the AL-31 ? China has been importing RD-93 engines for a long time but those are all being installed in the JF-17 Thunder which is a platform that only Pakistan uses. The only plane in China that is flying with the RD-93 is the J-31 prototype!

Again flying today ?!