Well let's look at the big picture. Here are the upcoming fighters:
JF-17B-WS-13 engine, improved electronics, frontal stealth
---Very possible since it could be a very strong export product.
J-10B/S
---We know this fighter is being developed, it makes sense to improve the J-10 platform.
J-2X-Rumored single engine stealth fighter. Possible since it would be a long term replacement for the J-10.
J-15
---In development, derived from the J-11B. Fills near term need for a carrier fighter.
J-20-Stealth air superiority fighter.
---China's F-22 equivalent.
That's a lot of planes to be developing simultaneously, but we also have these.....
__________________________________________________
J-16-J-11BS/Su-30 derived fighter bomber.
JH-7B-Another fighter bomber....
J-17-Stealthy Flanker....possibly similar to the Su-35?
J-18-Next generation naval fighter
J-19-5th generation SAC multirole fighter.
This is far too many new fighters. There isn't enough money or enough slots to fill in China's air force.
I still don't understand why they would develop a JH-7B and J-16 simultaneously. The J-16 would be far superior and would be quick and easy to develop since it is just a modified J-11B.
But then there is talk of the J-17, J-18, and J-19....
I am going to suggest that these may be the same fighters. If you remember huitongs post about the J-15 before he learned that it was to be just another flanker variant....he thought that it was a semi stealth design based on SAC's failed design bid against the J-20.
But now 70092 is suggesting that the J-19 is also derived from this failed design. I am thinking that maybe, after SAC lost the bid against the J-20, they continued the project on their own but retooled it for multiple roles. Perhaps their fighter will be carrier-ready as well? Otherwise it is a complete overlap over the J-20 and makes no sense.
I compared some multiple sources and here are what they have in common:
This is mostly educated speculation. The PLAAF does not confirm anything in advance.
J-16: this will apparently be simply an upgrade of the J-11BS, perhaps with some more emphasis on ground strike. First flight expected 2011-2012.
J-18: this is in early development, so don't be surprised if you are not going to hear about it for a few years. It is supposedly a naval fighter follow on to the J-15.
J-19: this is the Shenyang's J-XX.
J-2X (or J-21/J-12?): this is supposedly a F-35 type fighter developed from the J-20. It may be for export.
JH-7B: this will be a stealthy variant of the JH-7A with AESA radar and upgraded engines. First flight expected very soon.
JF-17 Block II: stealthy JF-17 with AESA, more composites, etc. First flight may already been completed.
The J-17 is supposedly a cancelled copy of the Su-34.
As you see, many of them are simply upgrades of existing fighters, and many are export oriented. This implies that not all of them will enter service or enter service in significant numbers.
The low observable is interesting. Just looks real close to the USAF low observable.
Nice fighter too...but I would not call it a true 5th gen stealth fighter. I am sure it is much better than the standard flanker...but not up to speed IMHO with true fifth gen stealth fighters. Here's the side and front compared to the F-22:
The plane you are viewing is probably not the Shenyang J-XX. It is more likely the J-16. The J-16 is an upgraded J-11B variant with probable RCS reducing design and AESA radar. It's a strike fighter, probably on par with the F-15SE in terms of stealth and avionics.
Be a nice aircraft to upgrade and make a naval variant for the carriers. A few years from now, if they bring out a carrier variant to upgrade the J-15s. Depends on the perfromance and charactoeristics...but a naval variant would be an option I would think.
China is believed to be developing a follow on fighter to the J-15. It has been temporarily named the J-18, and it is supposedly a stealthier variant. Judging from what few information we have about it, I think of it as a downgraded T-50K.
However, the guy also mentioned that SAC's mutli-role stealth fighter will like to face tough competition from another AVIC's design insistute, 603th insistute, which is expected to develop a stealth heavy fighter-bomber, place more emphasis on stealth, low-cost, and larger internal weapon bay size, at the expense of inferior dog-fight performance.
That sounds like the JH-7B.
The picture comes from an article written by an ex AVIC employee.
In the article the ex employee says that there are three major variants of the J-11 being developed.
Two of these variants will have some stealthy features while the last variant will essentially be a 5th generation fighter.
