I don't see how this project is going to move forward. If its true that the J/FC-31 is just a tech demo to show off for potential foreign buyers. Then we are going to see this single bird flying around for a long time and it maybe the only one there ever will be. Someone has to pay for the second prototype and the development of its radar and avionic suite. Either the SAC is going to pay out of its own pocket or the PLAAF is going to pay for it. Because no one abroad will pay for it. If the one is unable and the other is unwilling then the J/FC-31 is just going to be one of many in a long line of failed projects.
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
- Thread starter RedSky
- Start date
Equation
Lieutenant General
Is the YF-23 a fail project? No...of course not. What SAC can not sell can learn a lot from their J/FC-31 demonstrator as they progress into the next stealth plane project such as bomber or naval version of stealth fighter or even hyper sonic glide vehicle.
.......or that you're blind.
Yes you could say they're similar. Both powered by twin-engines, both have landing gears, both have wings and vertical stablisers, both have a cockpit, both have a pilot, both have air-intake. Heck even their wheels are so similar they're all round!
Right?
antiterror13
Brigadier
China would be more than happy to help her best trusted friend Pakistan, and develop J-31 together ... 2 brains and views/experiences are always better. Money shouldn't be any issue, China would give a loan with no interest.
This time I would like to see both Pakistan and China operate this baby, it would be great ... and I can see there is a place for China for this baby
thunderchief
Senior Member
J-31 is designed to replace medium seized fighters serving presently in air forces around (term export fighter has been used a lot describing J-31) , and for all practical purposes that means Mig-29 (J-10 is used only by China, and buyers of Western equipment would prefer F-35) . Therefore, comparing J-31 with Mig-29 and Mig-35 (when it gets operational) is actually something that potential customers would do .
So far, J-31 only realistic advantage over Mi-29 series is stealth . T/W is worse and I doubt it will improve until China designs or somehow gets better engines . Avionics for J-31 still "hang in the air" . Of course, they would be better then those on legacy Mig-29, but fair comparison should be with newer machines like Mig-29K or future Mig-35 . Last, but not least, there is a matter of cost , crucial for many perspective buyers . Hard to discuss that, because we don't have even approximate target price for J-31, except that it would be cheaper then F-35.
thunderchief
Senior Member
I would not count on foreign investments. Potential buyers of this aircraft are simply too poor to pay for 5th gen fighter R&D . SAC would risk a lot to pay from their own pocket, but I think PLAAF would eventually jump in cause they simply need low-end 5th gen fighter to keep the numbers up. Of course, this could be protracted for several years, because they just started inducing 4.5th gen J-10B .
His original statement was that "when I look at this aircraft, I see the Mig29." I would understand his statement as "the FC31 looks just like the MiG29". This is what I was refuting.
He didn't say "FC31 is comparable to the MiG29 in terms of roles and capabilities, and represent an upgrade in terms of stealth."
I'll be fine with this argument.
JF 17 is highly modified Mig 21 ... lol...