Shenyang J-31 Fighter

Posted by eagle over at CDF... hmm... Hmm.. HMMM...

Weaponsbay look significantly larger.

More interesting is that it's a two seater. Looks like a real stealthy F-15SE.

Assuming the drawing is credible, and going by the model's similarity with the picture I'd think it is.

Someone should send the pics to huitong and see if he can shed some light/confirm them. I don't know about the drawing, but the photo all but confirms the existence of a semi-stealth design in the works.

Maybe, since it is "multi-role" it will come out in variants like the F-35. That would explain the persistent ambiguity with distinguishing the J-17, J-18, and J-19. Each is the same fighter modified to suit a different role.

One is a strike fighter, another is a carrier variant...for example.

Originally Posted by Centrist

Someone should send the pics to huitong and see if he can shed some light/confirm them. I don't know about the drawing, but the photo all but confirms the existence of a semi-stealth design in the works.

Good idea, I'll do so.

Maybe, since it is "multi-role" it will come out in variants like the F-35. That would explain the persistent ambiguity with distinguishing the J-17, J-18, and J-19. Each is the same fighter modified to suit a different role.

One is a strike fighter, another is a carrier variant...for example.

I don't think something so extensive is already planned out. I'm sure SAC is hoping the PLA will go for such a program but at the moment this aircraft is probably more of a privately funded prototype.

Originally Posted by Bltizo

Good idea, I'll do so.



I don't think something so extensive is already planned out. I'm sure SAC is hoping the PLA will go for such a program but at the moment this aircraft is probably more of a privately funded prototype.

There is no such thing as a completely privately funded prototype. The Air Force will start pouring in money sooner or later.

Originally Posted by siegecrossbow

There is no such thing as a completely privately funded prototype. The Air Force will start pouring in money sooner or later.

If the air force is interested that is, which by the sounds of things they will be, if just to prop up SAC.

Originally Posted by Bltizo

Posted by eagle over at CDF... hmm... Hmm.. HMMM...

That could be the JH-7B. Twin vertical stabilizers, medium wings, etc.

But that does seem to have a similarity of a supposed concept picture of the J-18:

Originally Posted by Bltizo

If the air force is interested that is, which by the sounds of things they will be, if just to prop up SAC.

The point is, SAC wouldn't spend money and resources on this plane if they weren't almost 100% sure it would get orders. Aside from technology demonstrators (which China has no history of doing) can someone name a modern (gen 4.5 onwards) jet where prototypes were built but the project went no further?

Again, not tech demonstrators here, I am talking full blown prototypes.

The X-32 and YF-23 were just tech dems.

I cannot think of any in the modern era, which makes me suspicious of the claim that Shenyang doesn't have official PLAAF support.

I don't know, maybe the F-15SE as of now? Mig-35?

And we're assuming the J-19 which will fly late this year will be a full prototype. Are the YF-23/22 or X-32/35 not considered real prototypes..? I've always considered a prototype an aircraft which can be developed into something into production while tech demos usually show feasibility of an idea.

And iirc there's an idea the JH-7B will not be a real 5th gen but rather be like the superbug. We'll know soon enough I suppose.

Originally Posted by Bltizo

I don't know, maybe the F-15SE as of now? Mig-35?

And we're assuming the J-19 which will fly late this year will be a full prototype. Are the YF-23/22 or X-32/35 not considered real prototypes..? I've always considered a prototype an aircraft which can be developed into something into production while tech demos usually show feasibility of an idea.

And iirc there's an idea the JH-7B will not be a real 5th gen but rather be like the superbug. We'll know soon enough I suppose.

Being built for export is different from terminating the project. A terminated project means that all development has been stopped and production stopped. I suspect that many of SAC's future fighters are being built for export, especially the suspected J-16 and J-17.

Originally Posted by SinoSoldier

Being built for export is different from terminating the project. A terminated project means that all development has been stopped and production stopped. I suspect that many of SAC's future fighters are being built for export, especially the suspected J-16 and J-17.

If nobody buys your plane a program will effectively go no further, whcih is what centrist was asking for.

Originally Posted by Bltizo

If nobody buys your plane a program will effectively go no further, whcih is what centrist was asking for.

Then that implies the PLAAF have a lot of confidence in its projects.

Originally Posted by Bltizo

I don't know, maybe the F-15SE as of now? Mig-35?

And we're assuming the J-19 which will fly late this year will be a full prototype. Are the YF-23/22 or X-32/35 not considered real prototypes..? I've always considered a prototype an aircraft which can be developed into something into production while tech demos usually show feasibility of an idea.

And iirc there's an idea the JH-7B will not be a real 5th gen but rather be like the superbug. We'll know soon enough I suppose.

Those example aren't entirely new aircraft though, they are modifications over existing ones. Regardless...

The lines between tech dem and prototype are blurry I agree. But any source will tell you that the first F-22 prototype flew in 1997 and was in flight testing until 2002. The YF-22 on the other hand, flew in 1990.

I guess the difference has to do with definitions. The YF-22 was more of a very very early prototype while the 1997 aircraft was closer to a pre-production prototype.

Anyways, maybe not much can be extrapolated there.