Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

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iBBz

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siegecrossbow said:
Whether the Air Force variant of J-35 gains traction within PLAAF depends on two things:

1) Will China go for an all 5th gen air superiority fleet between 2030 and 2050?
2) Will the Chinese sixth gen be operational before 2035?

If the answer to #1 is negative and answer to #2 is positive, we are unlikely to see mass adoption of J-35 by PLAAF.
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I hope they don't go for the J-35 as a J-10 successor and opt for a single WS-15 design, although knowing the PLA, they always choose the economical path.
 
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Kejora

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iBBz said:
I don't think they do, but if it were to ever happen, it would be cool to see a new single engine VLO design from the designers of the PLA.
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lcloo said:
Twin engine fighter jets have better survial chance if one engine is damaged by enemy fire, especially when you have to shut down an engine.
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I think it's better to have one engined UCAV/loyal wingman to accompany twin engined 6th generation heavy fighter.
 
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ACuriousPLAFan

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Unless meant for some kind of next-gen trainer aircraft/light fighter for export (low viability) and/or loyal wingman UCAVs (more realistic) - Developing single-engine 5th-gen fighters today makes little to zero sense for China, especially with the unique operational requirements which have been tailored for the PLAAF and PLAN in mind.

By now, the F-35's infamous debacle with its sole F135 powerplant should have been a very obvious warning for all WRT designing the proper powerplant for future fighter jets, which are only going to be more energy-thirsty and power-hungry than ever before.

Plus, for carrier-based fighters, having two engines is always better than only one.

This post and a couple others in the Ask Anything Thread (Air Force) have explained the topic very well.
 
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MwRYum

MwRYum

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A carrier-borne 5th gen fighter is definitely needed, and should the FC-31 derivative is successful it'd be a "quick" solution to such demand.
Thing is, who else but the PLAN need such a navalised fighter?
 
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pipaster

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MwRYum said:
A carrier-borne 5th gen fighter is definitely needed, and should the FC-31 derivative is successful it'd be a "quick" solution to such demand.
Thing is, who else but the PLAN need such a navalised fighter?
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Finland, Canada, Spain, and Australia didn't need a naval aircraft either. But somehow they selected the F-18 without substantial modifications.
 
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gelgoog

Lieutenant General
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Thailand has a carrier. And they have bought military equipment from China before. Indonesia could also get such ships eventually.
 
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