Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

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kwaigonegin

kwaigonegin

Colonel
So does that mean that the j31 program is in full swing? I really want to see it become successful regardless of who eventually buys it.

I like the look of it and planes that look nice usually flies nice. Lol

I think if they per unit cost down and structures a good maintenance and supply chain program including good government incentives, there are a few countries who may be interested in acquisition down the road.
 
SinoSoldier

SinoSoldier

Colonel
kwaigonegin said:
So does that mean that the j31 program is in full swing? I really want to see it become successful regardless of who eventually buys it.

I like the look of it and planes that look nice usually flies nice. Lol

I think if they per unit cost down and structures a good maintenance and supply chain program including good government incentives, there are a few countries who may be interested in acquisition down the road.
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The program itself would continue to some extent of completion, but whether the PLAAF or PLANAF chooses to adopt it is a different matter. I still harbor some "hope" for the program since the PLAAF/NAF could simply be waiting for a successful flight trial before making concrete decisions, and its export prospects aren't exactly nonexistent either.
 
kwaigonegin

kwaigonegin

Colonel
SinoSoldier said:
The program itself would continue to some extent of completion, but whether the PLAAF or PLANAF chooses to adopt it is a different matter. I still harbor some "hope" for the program since the PLAAF/NAF could simply be waiting for a successful flight trial before making concrete decisions, and its export prospects aren't exactly nonexistent either.
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Assuming it flies well and does everything it's suppose to do, I like to see PLAAF eventually adopt it as their primary mainstay fighter. In 10-15 yrs time the j10's design would've been quite dated and there is only so much you can do with a 4th gen airframe.

PLAAF would be a very formidable Air Force if they fly combo J20 and J 31 as their next generation LR/SR hi/lo mix with J10Bs etc taking a more secondary role especially if they can produce them in fairly significant numbers ... Not to different than the F15/16 combo which powers the USAF in the 1980s/90s.
 
SinoSoldier

SinoSoldier

Colonel
kwaigonegin said:
Assuming it flies well and does everything it's suppose to do, I like to see PLAAF eventually adopt it as their primary mainstay fighter. In 10-15 yrs time the j10's design would've been quite dated and there is only so much you can do with a 4th gen airframe.

PLAAF would be a very formidable Air Force if they fly combo J20 and J 31 as their next generation LR/SR hi/lo mix with J10Bs etc taking a more secondary role especially if they can produce them in fairly significant numbers ... Not to different than the F15/16 combo which powers the USAF in the 1980s/90s.
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The question remains as to whether the PLAAF/NAF defines a "hi-lo" mix as a J-20 & FC-31 pair or a J-20 & 4th-generation pair, and it's increasingly suggestive that the latter is true.

One possible swaying factor would be the recent "Red Sword" exercises, in which the newly-inducted J-20 allegedly wiped the floor with 4th generation fighters. The PLAAF/NAF might see greater merit in 5th generation aircraft after that and perhaps start adopting low-end 5th generation aircraft as the "lo" portion of the mix.

I'd like to point out that (and I also had harbored the wrong notion for quite some while) the F-22 and F-35 are not a hi-lo combo but rather two platforms that offer distinctive capabilities. The J-20 in a way combines the roles & functions of the F-22 & 35.
 
T

Twix101

Junior Member
So we have a proof that project is still alive at least. Curious about the improvements brought up on this new model. And also, are they going to do a carrier-based (CATOBAR) variant ?
 
Deino

Deino

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Staff member
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asif iqbal said:
Wonder what engines , rumours suggesting indigenous Chinese
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Yes indeed, IMO most likely the WS-13 maybe WS-13E/IPE.

I hope however that they don't follow the same pattern as with V1: it appeared for the first time during a taxi-test in 16. September and made its maiden flight on 31. October !

Anyway, it seems at least as if that bird is still in yellow-primer. Will surely be an interesting sight !

FC-31V2 maiden flight preparation - 18.12.16 mod.jpg
 
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