Someone says it is taken last month, in August.
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Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
- Thread starter RedSky
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If you look closely the designation is 31003. This means that it is a new prototype!
I don't think so.
31003 was always the serial number for the 2.0 we talked about. 31002 was rumored to be a prototype used for static testing, but I didn't see a confirmation on this tho.
@angadow, the one that set this picture as his weibo avatar (he didn't post it directly, the other guys that repost this pic are simply reposting his avatar), said before (I think this April) that 31003 is the 2.0, not the 3rd flying prototype that we're waiting for. He was replying to a @9谢艺航6's picture when he said so, I couldn't find the screenshot for that at this moment.
And this picture was posted in late April I believe? It's in this thread also. It is before the famous picture of 2.0 without the pitot tube.
No not really, the designation 31003 is actually the prototype aircraft that many refer to as "version 2.0" Appraently 31002 was a statics testing aircraft and never took to the skies
This is a mix of what I've read on Weibo, Chinese forums and my own guesses: Some claim it uses WS-13/13E engines (not a big surprise); it is currently used as a testing aircraft for avionics and radar, AKA this is not the first prototype for carrier-based 5th gen fighter as some claims; no tail hook as can be seen on the picture.
While I've seen some claim that the flaps and ailerons are seperate in the picture (yellow arrow) I disagree. From what I can see the arrow points toward some sort of circular protrusion which is most likely a sensor for testing purpose, and the flaps and ailerons are still one and the same.
TL,DR: This is still the same prototype we've been seeing for a few years, but I think the very fact that it's still flying can be seen as good news.
While I've seen some claim that the flaps and ailerons are seperate in the picture (yellow arrow) I disagree. From what I can see the arrow points toward some sort of circular protrusion which is most likely a sensor for testing purpose, and the flaps and ailerons are still one and the same.
TL,DR: This is still the same prototype we've been seeing for a few years, but I think the very fact that it's still flying can be seen as good news.
yuxiaochen
Junior Member
english please, i know there are chinese on this forum (myself included), but this is a thread to all people, so posting in english is the least amount of respect you can show to others.确定是ws13嘛
SinoSoldier
Colonel
The new photo seems to be PS-ed or at least touched-up.
However, if it's true that the #31003 prototype has been flying as recently as August, then it might indicate that the airframe is now testing subsystems to be used on the later J-XY.
Note the lack of a pitot tube (although it might be the angle). It might suggest that it's testing avionics.
However, if it's true that the #31003 prototype has been flying as recently as August, then it might indicate that the airframe is now testing subsystems to be used on the later J-XY.
Note the lack of a pitot tube (although it might be the angle). It might suggest that it's testing avionics.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Not just "someone", but rather a well-known SAC photographer.
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