Shenyang J-31 Fighter

Originally Posted by Deino

But even if that bird finally has arrived at Xi'an-Yanliang, I don't understand why they had to transfer that thing to Xi'an partially completed to do the structural tests ???
Is this impossible at SAC ??? ... and a maiden flight at SAC is surely possible too.

As such IMO the biggest question is that WHY ?? What was so important, that it can't be done at Shenyang ??

Was it only a marketing-plot to take away the crowd from CHengdu and its J-20 (at least I hope so) ?

Deino

For that, there's one speculation from one Chinese source: SAC's onw facility is occupied with something else also important.

Possibly some sort of high supersonic/hypersonic bomber? Or a spaceplane?

Originally Posted by siegecrossbow

Love how people are still calling this L-15 and in denial of the whole thing on other forums. The airframe is so un-L15 like that it isn't even funny.

That same type of denial has since the J-10 era appeared repeatedly, predictably, and laughably...Every time when it happens, I would hear the same whispering: Pathetic people... Please forgive them, Lord, for they are so lost and know not what they are thinking..

---------- Post added at 11:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Possibly some sort of high supersonic/hypersonic bomber? Or a spaceplane?

I don't remember. It's either that or some transport aircraft (if SAC is engaged in that, too). I'll check and come back... Well, it was an indirect quote of someone's remarks, which didn't specify what that "more important" or "more shocking" thing under test at SAC's facility was... I didn't like that forum too much... because it is such an HKC den, full of characters suffering from ultra-nationalism, super optimiitism (that's what HKC means), schizophrenia, zenophobia, scientific illiteracy, hatred, etc. etc., no better than those Bharat Rakshak characters...

Originally Posted by siegecrossbow

Love how people are still calling this L-15 and in denial of the whole thing on other forums. The airframe is so un-L15 like that it isn't even funny.

Whoever still called it L-15 , just banned them. Because they do not meant seriously discussion and is just trying to fan the flame bait.

Originally Posted by Skywatcher

Possibly some sort of high supersonic/hypersonic bomber? Or a spaceplane?

Bomber is at Xi'an, the only thing I can think of at SAC is probably some sort of UCAV.

It takes up three lanes when it's tilted. I don't know about Chinese highways in general but I've seen a lot of pics of the new highways being built and most only have two lanes in each direction.

Two more and slightly clearer shots from that video .... + a nice whif in PAF-service !!

And finally the last one wasn't posted here before ???

Deino

Has anyone seen these?7444663326_126b101ca2_b.jpg7444663102_53fa5a10dc_b.jpg

Originally Posted by jon88

Has anyone seen these?7444663326_126b101ca2_b.jpg7444663102_53fa5a10dc_b.jpg

Yes. Those are from CJDBY.

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------

Originally Posted by jon88

Has anyone seen these?7444663326_126b101ca2_b.jpg7444663102_53fa5a10dc_b.jpg

Yes. Those are from CJDBY.

From the wrapped pictures... This thing is about size of super hornet. looks like. glad to see 601 and avic has the sense of leaving the high side to J-20.

Agreed, I'm actually glad and surprised how "huge" - in comparison to the first impression - this thing is !

Holy Smoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totaly missed this page!!!!!!!!!!

what is this, another new stealth fighter under development, it looks totaly real and no CG, cant believe someone actually caught pictures of this while it was under transport

sharing information is so easy these days, this is just a amazing development almost too good to be true, again its amazing that someone caught it in numerious occasions on their cell phones

Originally Posted by siegecrossbow

Love how people are still calling this L-15 and in denial of the whole thing on other forums. The airframe is so un-L15 like that it isn't even funny.

L-15 is already done its round of static loads tests. I am not sure about fatique cycle loads but definitly the static loads.

btw also in Yanliang.

---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:49 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Schumacher

Don't be so sure even if it's only for export which I doubt. When this thing is ready, it'll be at least about 2018 which will be a very different world in terms of perception and reality of Chinese products, not to mention global geopolitics.
Some potential buyers are like PAF who will need stealth if/when IAF gets T50s. If the Arabs don't share some of their huge defence budgets with China, don't whine if China sells to Iran/Iraq. I can see some South Americans being interested in stealth where the F35 may not be viable in terms of price/politics.

South America, Periferal Middle east and Richer African countries. would prob be the customer base.
some one wants something better than a Su-27/F-16/18 but can not afford F-35.
at least that would be the justification avic and 601 put forth.
by the time this thing matures (2020?) PLA would wants a follow on low-end fighter for their high-low mix. amd PLAN's new catobar carrier fighter competition would begin. If them people in 601 play the cards right this could be the F-4 Phantom II of china and enjoy a big long production run with both naval aviation and airforce. like what they intended for F-35 to be, except with out the absurd VTOL requirement.

Lockmart executives prob is sweating a bit right now. but not too much I guess since I guess they still think Dod is a captive customer.

If and CAC develops their medium weight 5th gen, things will get really interesting.

I would expect CAC's medium weight to be single engined so that it would share the same powerplant as the J20 for logistical savings as well as because of CAC's experience with single engined types like the J10 and JF17.

I can see the PLAN preferring the twin engined approach for added safety, while the air force might prefer the logistics savings from having a common engine.

That is, of course assuming that CAC does come up with a medium weight 5th gen. CAC is very capable, but just looking at the sheer number of projects they have running, and it might be a case of project overload for them.

In addition, I have long held reservations about whether it is necessary or even wise at all for the PLAAF to follow the American model and go all fifth gen.

I think it would be much better for the PLAAF to just have the J20 as it's only fifth gen fighter, and buy them in decent number as opposed to what happened to the poor F22.

For the strike role, I think a J20 sub-variant with twin seats, larger and deeper weapons bays for heavy ground attack munitions like what the FB22 was to the F22 would be perfect.

For the PLAAF's future lo-end fighter, a J10C with WS15 engines and redesigned fuselage should be a step up from the likes of the Typhoon and Rafale and be more than enough to meet the PLAAF's needs.

This SAC design would serve as the PLANAF's future carrier fighter to serve alongside the J15, and also act as China's export fifth gen while the J20 is kept strictly off limits.

If this is how it works out, it would be quite amusing actually. Because I think it is almost a certainty that this SAC 5th gen will use the WS13 engine as it's powerplant, thus the arch rivals at SAC and CAC would actually present a high-lo mix of the J21 and JF17 that would actually work extremely well as a pair.