Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Deino said:

Indeed, as such J-21 for a PLAAF variant would make sense, however the no. 35 is always explained with two versions: First to mock LM and the F-35 and second, since it combines the stealth characteristics of the J-20 in a J-15 successor; as such J-20 + J-15 = J-35.

But my point is: Who is @柳絮纷飞竟不是雪 and how reliable/credible is he/she?

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@Deino also match the engine designation to WS21 (former WS 13E)

ansy1968 said:

@Deino also match the engine designation to WS21 (former WS 13E)

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Yes, but AFAIK the WS-21 is a small turbofan for UAVs and since the J-20/WS-15 has alos no connection by using the same number I don't think, the J-21/31/35 or whatever needs to have the same number for the engines.

There are actually two possibilities: 1. J-21, the AF version of FC-31; 2. JH-21, XAC’s new stealth fighter bomber. Each has its own chance.

huitong said:

There are actually two possibilities: 1. J-21, the AF version of FC-31; 2. JH-21, XAC’s new stealth fighter bomber. Each has its own chance.

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Really? There are still rumours concerning the JH-XX?

Deino said:

Really? There are still rumours concerning the JH-XX?

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Well, rumor never said the JH-XX program is dead.

huitong said:

Well, rumor never said the JH-XX program is dead.

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Wait a sec, was the jh program part of the h-x family? I somehow remember jh-7 was rumored named h-7 at the beginning

Deino said:

Really? There are still rumours concerning the JH-XX?

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I think there’s a petty high likelihood that we’ll end up seeing some kind of JH-XX just because it addresses a pretty significant capability gap for the PLA, and they’re no longer resource or capability constrained to pursue such a platform.

huitong said:

Well, rumor never said the JH-XX program is dead.

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latenlazy said:

I think there’s a petty high likelihood that we’ll end up seeing some kind of JH-XX just because it addresses a pretty significant capability gap for the PLA, and they’re no longer resource or capability constrained to pursue such a platform.

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I know, but equally we - or at least I - haven't heard any more rumours since months? Or did I miss something?

I think SAC are just obsessed with rule of cool in their fighter numbering.

It was all sequential and sensible up to J11, but then they jumped to J15 and J16 (which I could kinda accept if they assigned unofficial J-numbers to the imported flankers, with J12-MKK, J13-MK2 and J14-Su35).

J20 makes sense as a clear generational leap (similar to J10 and J11 move up from the J7 and J8, although those were also sequential due to the experimental J9), and then SAC went completely nuts with J31/35.

It would good if the PLAAF imposed some sanity and make the SAC 5th gen J21 in keeping with traditional and bloody common sense!

^Call it the J-20 Grand Pro Max