Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Centrist said:

Agreed. Having a bunch of platforms is different than developing redundant platforms simultaneously. There is simply no reason to expend so much resources into a bunch of planes that do the same thing.

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I do not see how China can be developing 10 new aircraft simultaneously guys. Some of these aircraft must be figments of our imaginations.

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Here's your problem, you're actually reading what sinosoldier writes. Don't.

dingyibvs said:

Here's your problem, you're actually reading what sinosoldier writes. Don't.

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Actually that's based on Huitong. Huitong supports the existence of all these projects, including the Q-6, which I did not include. Indeed, that would make 11 aircraft in development, 21 different aircraft in service in 2020.

Centrist said:

Actually that's based on Huitong. Huitong supports the existence of all these projects, including the Q-6, which I did not include. Indeed, that would make 11 aircraft in development, 21 different aircraft in service in 2020.

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Developing is small in comparison to actually putting them into service. I bet half of those projects will either not emerge, or at least not have plaaf interest

Bltizo said:

Developing is small in comparison to actually putting them into service.

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Theoretical developing maybe, but creating a prototype and its testing is already a comparable task (and pretty costly one too). I seriously doubt that China will be able to develop at least 11 modern prototypes in the next 9 years, let putting them into service alone.

Awwal12 said:

Theoretical developing maybe, but creating a prototype and its testing is already a comparable task (and pretty costly one too). I seriously doubt that China will be able to develop at least 11 modern prototypes in the next 9 years, let putting them into service alone.

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Well test flying a couple of them as "privately" funded tech demonstrators doesn't sound too unrealistic.

Centrist said:

Actually that's based on Huitong. Huitong supports the existence of all these projects, including the Q-6, which I did not include. Indeed, that would make 11 aircraft in development, 21 different aircraft in service in 2020.

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It's possible that these projects exist, but you, like sinosoldier, are discussing them as if they will all fly some day. Actually, it's worse. You are assuming that they will all be IN SERVICE in less than 10 years.

That's just ludicrous.

There are numerous projects going on for all branches of all major militaries, but most of them never get beyond perhaps scaled models stage. Even the Americans don't build more than a prototype or tech demonstrator for most projects.

Bltizo said:

Developing is small in comparison to actually putting them into service. I bet half of those projects will either not emerge, or at least not have plaaf interest

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It's obvious that not all 21 aircraft will enter service. Some of them are export oriented. However, I won't be surprised if most of them do. Most of them are simply variants of existing fighters.

In fact, the only projects that are completely new are:
- J-20
- J-15
- J-19
- Y-20
- H-X bomber
- Z-15

Awwal12 said:

Theoretical developing maybe, but creating a prototype and its testing is already a comparable task (and pretty costly one too). I seriously doubt that China will be able to develop at least 11 modern prototypes in the next 9 years, let putting them into service alone.

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Honestly I don't wanna see that neither

so much random speculation and designation going on, that some people are actually believing them.

personal view of this:

J-11B => (upgraded avionics, radar, engines)=some variant
JH-7A => (upgraded avionics, radar, engines, little air frame modification)=some variant
JF-17 => (upgraded avionics, radar, engines)=some variant
H? => some kind of new bomber

Evidence of existance

J-10B
J-15
J-20

I have doubts on this so called "silent flanker" it sounds fanboy to me. As soon as silent eagle F-15SE was annouce fanboys started saying that there was a silent flanker. Sounds too much like a fanboys wet dream and desperation.

Stealth JF-17 not going to happen. Maybe JF-17 with lowered RCS but that is all. The existance of JF-17 was:
- simplicity
- cheap
- easy to build
- easy maintenance
- as an alternative to F-16

This aircraft should have larger weapon load, long range, and can fire cruise missile or anti-ship missile.
May be it is designed for the PLA NAVY as a multirole fighter or attacker.
I do not think the PLAAF will take two different kinds of heavy fighters for air superiority.
If it is a air superiority fighter, I also doubt it wil be accepted by the PLAAF or PLA NAVY considering it looks inferior to the J-20.