J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31

[Deino]

Even if clearly NOT naval J-35 but Air Force J-35A, these two images were mixed in-between those of the images showing the two naval J-35 making their first flight today!

 

[Tomboy]

Even if clearly NOT naval J-35 but Air Force J-35A, these two images were mixed in-between those of the images showing the two naval J-35 making their first flight today!

View attachment 167668
View attachment 167669

Still a LRIP? Interesting

 

[Deino]

Still a LRIP? Interesting

Pardon ... on what detail do you differ a LRIP from a FRP aircraft? ... and maybe those images are older?

 

[Tomboy]

Pardon ... on what detail do you differ a LRIP from a FRP aircraft? ... and maybe those images are older?

It still has a solid EOTS

 

[Maikeru]

It still has a solid EOTS

Maybe that's just a cover?

 

[Deino]

It still has a solid EOTS

Well, weren't the factory-fresh early J-20s also flying with covers?

 

[Tomboy]

Maybe that's just a cover?

Well, weren't the factory-fresh early J-20s also flying with covers?

I suppose it *could* but given now that J-20As and J-35s and even FRP J-20s all fly from the factory with no cover it just seems unlikely that J-35A would have such a delicate EOTS to have never seen a single picture where it is uncovered even on the 9.3 parade. F-35s LRIP, J-35 and J-20 prototypes/LRIP also had no EOTS and simply just a solid block in place of the external sensor, so it isn't really unprecedented either.

 

[vincent]

Still a LRIP? Interesting

LRIP J-20

 

[sunnymaxi]

solid start by SAC in 2026. seems like first batch of J-35/J-35A rolling out from assembly line. i m actually more impressed by AECC Guiyang work. it means WS-21/WS-19 production going well.

no wonder chief designer earned its place in Chinese academy of Engineering.

 

[sequ]

The whole cover for the EOTS thing could be explained by something trivial as "the law prevents use of weapons systems by civilians" or something like that.