Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
- Thread starter RedSky
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Carring PL-10 on external hardpoint is not stealth, how does FC-31 cope with it?
In the same way the USAF and other forces handle it for the F-35 when carrying external AIM-9s. It is an option if not an all-out stealth configuration is required.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
They can also carry them in external LO pods. Much better than normal external carry, but obviously still not ideal compared to internal carry.
In terms of the arguments in favour of the J31 on size grounds, I do not really think that would be a good enough reason for the PLAN.
Let’s not forget that the PLAN has already made a similar choice in terms of aircraft performance vs numbers when they decided to develop the J15 rather than buy newerly updated Mig29Ks off the shelf from Russia.
When you factor in that Chinese naval aviation is focused overwhelmingly on naval battles rather than bombing 3rd world nations or terrorist training camps, you can see why they would value raw airframe capability over numbers.
I am also a strong believer that the proliferation of 5th gens will bring back a new golden age of dogfighting, as radar guided BVRAAMs are especially handicapped against 5th gens in terms of both likely engagement ranges and terminal seeker performance.
In that context, the J20’s side bays and likely superior kinetic performance, especially with WS15s, is likely to count for a lot in the eyes of PLAN planners.
The primary justification for the J31 is going to be on availability and cost grounds ( I am looking from only the PLAN’s POV, so ignoring political and industrial considerations).
However, with recent international developments, I think Trump has probably helped to push the J31 over the line. Since with trade wars, tensions are increasing, and the old assurances (China had that the US would hurt itself too much economically to start a fight against China) are slowly but steadily being stripped away, thus increasing the likelihood of actual armed conflict.
However, I do not think it would not out of the question for China to develop both a naval J20 and J31 and put both into operation.
We are now in deeply uncertain times, and may even already be in a de facto new Cold War. As such, normal rules and considerations may no longer apply to defence decisions.
In terms of the arguments in favour of the J31 on size grounds, I do not really think that would be a good enough reason for the PLAN.
Let’s not forget that the PLAN has already made a similar choice in terms of aircraft performance vs numbers when they decided to develop the J15 rather than buy newerly updated Mig29Ks off the shelf from Russia.
When you factor in that Chinese naval aviation is focused overwhelmingly on naval battles rather than bombing 3rd world nations or terrorist training camps, you can see why they would value raw airframe capability over numbers.
I am also a strong believer that the proliferation of 5th gens will bring back a new golden age of dogfighting, as radar guided BVRAAMs are especially handicapped against 5th gens in terms of both likely engagement ranges and terminal seeker performance.
In that context, the J20’s side bays and likely superior kinetic performance, especially with WS15s, is likely to count for a lot in the eyes of PLAN planners.
The primary justification for the J31 is going to be on availability and cost grounds ( I am looking from only the PLAN’s POV, so ignoring political and industrial considerations).
However, with recent international developments, I think Trump has probably helped to push the J31 over the line. Since with trade wars, tensions are increasing, and the old assurances (China had that the US would hurt itself too much economically to start a fight against China) are slowly but steadily being stripped away, thus increasing the likelihood of actual armed conflict.
However, I do not think it would not out of the question for China to develop both a naval J20 and J31 and put both into operation.
We are now in deeply uncertain times, and may even already be in a de facto new Cold War. As such, normal rules and considerations may no longer apply to defence decisions.
Carring PL-10 on external hardpoint is not stealth, how does FC-31 cope with it?
The same way F-35 does.
Because J-31 was not designed to accommodate side bays because of considerations for space and price perhaps? Side bays would have taken room from main bays while adding huge complexities, time in production, and cost. It was never designed to be a dog-fighter and likely won't make an exceptional one even with WS-19s. So why compromise. Internal bays seem to be a monumental task. KF-X is now officially decided to not have internal bays at least for the first model. J-20 is currently the only stealth fighter with total bay volume that more or less matches F-22. J-31 missions will hardly ever require two SRAAMs. Any such requirement can be filled by the handful of other fighter types available to PLAAF. Weren't stealth fighters always been designed for the sniper/ door opener/ force multiplier role? The shoot and scoot guerilla tactics, sometimes visible often not, sources of enemy frustration. J-20 side bays are more useful as a PR tool than actual use. Exposing J-20 to WVR air to air combat would be such a silly risk to take. Everything from Hornet to Rafale and Typhoon have successfully "taken out" F-22s in exercises. IIRC some claimed the Su-30MKM have "gunned down" F-22s in their exercises back in 2016?
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SinoSoldier
Colonel
Carring PL-10 on external hardpoint is not stealth, how does FC-31 cope with it?
I recall the insider pb19980515 making the claim that the FC-31 or J-XY can carry WVRAAMs on the doors of its weapons bays, if my translation is correct.
If the photos of J-31 opened bay doors are anything to go by, there's no way SRAAMs are going to be hanging off the inside of those doors. Missiles are meant to be ejected or dropped out of doors. How will such a setup allow the J-31 to drop these missiles unless they completely change the way those doors open. If they are to shoot those missiles off the surface, it may risk damaging parts. Imagine shooting off a SRAAMs and door mechanism fails and you're stuck with an open bay door. Sounds like fanboy theories.
Have you seen the door of J-31 opened? Not CGs, real photos.
No I haven't. When I said if the photos ... I'm referring to the CGI ones obviously.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
FC-31 weapons bay doors. There is also a GIF of this.
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