Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

vesicles said:

I think what he is talking about is bleeding edge for China. Sure, J-31 looks like F-35, but it's not like SAC expects to get any help or can subcontract American companies to produce any subsystems. SAC would have to find domestic partners for all the subsystems on the J-31. Since china has not developed a mature gen-5 fighter infrastructure, this would be bleeding edge for China. I think that's what he meant.

Oh BTW, develop of a 5th gen fighter sounds so easy to you. "Just put something together. Boom! You get a 5th gen fighter". If it was that easy, everyone would have done it. It is a complex and sophisticated and needs highly coordinated effort from multiple institutions and decades of hard work.

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exactly right!

I have said before that Pakistan is likely the Target for this bird. The Chinese Promised them a fifth gen airsuperiority bird to stand up to the Indian-Russian Pakfa derivative, but that likely would not be the end of J31. She may look like F35 but this is a twin engine bird and it's likely she shares a number of systems between her and other top of the line Chinese designs. having J31 also means that if J20 is found to be flawed the PLAAF can hedge their bets.

chuck731 said:

We have no idea just how "developed" J-31 actually is. If it is simply a preliminary technology demonstrator that is miles away from a real service aircraft, then I think it would be well within the power of SAC to finance and develop on its own.

Recall the British Aerospace also self-financed a tech demonstrator in the early 1980s as part of its bid to prove its value to the Eurofighter program. That BAE demonstrator actually looked remarkably like the eventual EF-2000. But of course it is miles away from mission capable.

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Yes, a private company may be able to make decision to sacrifice all other projects and focus on one thing. SAC is a govn't agency. The Chinese govn't, or any govn't, may not sit too well with wasting tax payers' money on a pet project that they don't believe is worthwhile. Yes, SAC may have its own little bank with tons of private money stashed somewhere, but if they decide to invest the money in some other project, that would mean the govn't doesn't t have to give SAC as huge a budget. Also, those working at SAC are still govn't employees. Pulling them away from much more important projects and putting them on a little pet project would not sit too well with any govn't agency in any country.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

I have said before that Pakistan is likely the Target for this bird. The Chinese Promised them a fifth gen airsuperiority bird to stand up to the Indian-Russian Pakfa derivative, but that likely would not be the end of J31. She may look like F35 but this is a twin engine bird and it's likely she shares a number of systems between her and other top of the line Chinese designs. having J31 also means that if J20 is found to be flawed the PLAAF can hedge their bets.

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According to info leaked from SAC the J-31 has similar flight envelopes to the J-11B with current engines. Given recent speculations about thrust vectored WS-13, I believe that SAC is primarily going for an air superiority platform as well.

I found this pic I'm not sure how credible it is. Ignore the typo I know it is supposed to read J-31 not J-21.
It shows basic, carrier and air superiority variant.

no_name said:

I found this pic I'm not sure how credible it is. Ignore the typo I know it is supposed to read J-31 not J-21.
It shows basic, carrier and air superiority variant.

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There's a similar rumor on Pakistan Defence as well

SinoSoldier said:

There's a similar rumor on Pakistan Defence as well

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It's striking to see the similarities between the J-31 as a scaled down version of the F-22 based on the latest comparative CGI graphics!

In the hands of the Pakistani's, who are noted for their dog fighting skills, the J-31 is likely to be a worthy opponent for the PAK-FA, especially WVR engagement scenarios, though the PAK FA is likely to have the upper hand in BVR engagements due to its greater combat persistence (range / super cruise) and payload (6-8 AAM for the PAK FA vs 4-6 for the J-31).

It's an equally interesting comparison with the USN F-35C, especially if a PLAN naval version of the J-31 equipped with higher thrust engines and modern EW, EOTS and AESA set, the much heralded 5th Gen advantage/s will start to look less and less credible.

Interesting times ahead...

To admit this image showing these configurations appeared for the first time quite soon after the maiden flight ... IMO it's simply some fan boy's art, nothing more regardless any rumours esp. on Pakistan Defence.

Deino

@Deino:
Whether the J31 is high tech as J20 or not... That is a question indeed but the roles are not the same. My assumptions are that where J20 will be multi role with huge range and extremely high altitude the J31 will be mainly CAP/air defense. It will be a lot more traditional then better cashed J20 project. Maybe... Maybe it will get improvements but I am pretty sure J20 will be a lot more high end. Whether it is Pakistan oriented? I am not so sure. I think the Pakistani would love to have J20 in small numbers or what is more realistic... Chinese J20 based in... My predicaments are that we will start with J11 and within 5 years with something like J20. Why? The western route to oil is through Pakistan. It is needed for development of western China (stability!) and is less susceptible to US influence. Just look at the issues China has to get goods and to export from the other side... And one other link. Just look at the billions China is investing in Pakistan right now. I doubt that is done without risk calculations.

To admit I agree in one and completely disagree in another oint You mention.

First, YES, both are completely different birds. different in requirement, in budget, in priority and even more in configuration ... resulting in a different role. As such IMO both types could complement each other maybe even better then F.22 & F-35 are supposed to do, esp. since the J-20 will surely not substitute each and every Flanker on a 1 on 1 basis. IMO it will be more something like a silver bullet in probably higher numbers than the Raptor, but I can't think of more than 300.

The J-31 in contrast "could" - and that's where politics are the main matter - be the next standard fighter for both the PLAAF and PLANAF ... but it depends on the flight test result, the political will and ability to fully develop and field a second 5th. generation type and most of all - for both types the weak point - the availability of engines.


I completely disagree with You however with Your opinion that the PAF will EVER introduce something like the J-20 - IMO not even the J-11, I say NEVER ! Maybe I'm wrong, but given the political situation in Pakistan - the problem with islamic radicals and even more the Taliban in mind - China will never deliver its high end technology to even its best friend.

Deino