What we do know is that unlike a Gundam or Death Star the J-31 is physically real and has already gone through a second iteration, and that SAC is a subsidiary under AVIC, a state owned company.
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
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manqiangrexue
Brigadier
How do you know Gundams and Death Stars aren't real? Do you know "line by line" everything that exists in this world? No? Then we "don't know." They might be real.
See that's the kind of logic that I don't want to be caught in. So for me, if there is no public announcement of funding for J-31, no obvious reason for them to hide J-31's funding status, AND progress is moving at a snail's clip, which is unusual for a well-funded project, then I'm going to lean very heavily on there being no funding for it.
As you said, they might have built the thing just to keep their skills sharp with no prospects of really selling it. I accept that argument from you.
If we didn’t have an entire visibly observable development history of the J-31 you might have a point.
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
What is your point? You previously said your point was that J-31's development wasn't a waste of money. Even if they made a jet that nobody tendered for and can't sell, it still keeps SAC sharp. That's what you said your point was and that's fine. What are you arguing now? That's J-31 is secretly funded? Or that it could be? Because I agree it could be, but since it's moving so slowly, I don't think that's likely at all.
I'm not sure what you're saying, but I don't think you're right. First, it looks like a post. Second, it's no longer there on weibo. Third, post replaced it. I haven't seen anybody suggest it was "PSed for sensationalism."
To admit ... I really cannot see the slightest bit of relevance to the FC-31. IMO - maybe due to the lack of news - some are spinning to much of their imagination into any post.
I know it's hard ... but we all should sit and wait.
Deino
Depends on expected employment of the fleet.
For naval aviation, air superiority operations are 3rd priority, and even these ones are tied to strike package or support asset escort/suppression.
Naval aviation doesn't perform fighter sweeps the way AF ought to do all that often.
By no means it means what a2a performance is unnecessary, but naval warfare(including fleet strikes) is wastly different from the land one.
J-15, unlike Su-33, carries ASuW weapons - point of complementing it with medium stealth aircraft is dubious: no enough space for both, and things in which upgraded j-15 will be outright superior are actually more important. (low speed handling, supersonic dash capability, range, endurance on CAP station, external carriage flexibility, buddy refueling capability and so on).
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
Absolutely right. Besides, unlike in WWII, carriers are not weapons that capable military powers confront each other with today; they are tools for large countries to intimidate small and weak countries with. Against any foe who can field F-35B, China will not use carriers, whether they be filled with J-15 or J-31. It would be a job for the PLA rocket forces, submarines, 052D/055, and J-20/J-16.
For things like sailing through the Taiwan Strait, monitoring the ECS/SCS, the STOBARs with J-15 are perfectly fine for now. China has time to develop what it wants for its next gen carrier and its fighter compliment. Take their time and get it just right.
But if the PLA intends to have the capability to uproot US bases in the Pacific stealth fighter will still be significant assets.
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