Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

latenlazy

Brigadier
That said, I do strongly believe that an air force like the PLAAF needs a long-range, stealthy strike aircraft capable of hauling large payloads but still retaining enough aerodynamic capability for supersonic flight. The FC-31 or J-XY will not fulfill that requirement since, unlike the F-35C, the J-XY would not be able to hold heavy air-to-surface weaponry in its internal bays. Maybe a "JH-20" based on the J-20 will be developed in the future.
Also entirely possible that changing circumstances can revive this project.
 

Totoro

Major
VIP Professional
Fc31 just looks too slender for my taste. Like it might seriously lack range. Perhaps for some smaller countries it might be fine (and hence why it's an export oriented design) but for Chinese needs it looks too short legged.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator

Dang stuff on top of pictures,,, so looks like meta-material coating on the top of the verts,,, I'd say there's not nearly as much on the FC-31 as there is on the J-20,, as to our concern about the small size, I would remind that the Japanese are flying a small scale model, and aircraft of this planform, scale up rather well, as evidenced by the Hornet to up-scale to the Super Hornet..

I'd say a bigger concern at this stage are powerplants??
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Fc31 just looks too slender for my taste. Like it might seriously lack range. Perhaps for some smaller countries it might be fine (and hence why it's an export oriented design) but for Chinese needs it looks too short legged.

1250 km combat radius for the V2.0 variant and possibly more for the J-XY with enlarged wings. And who's to say that this is too short-legged for the PLAN's needs?
 

Dfangsaur

Junior Member
Registered Member
1250 km combat radius for the V2.0 variant and possibly more for the J-XY with enlarged wings. And who's to say that this is too short-legged for the PLAN's needs?
Do you have a source on that number? I still question the future of Fc-31 tbh. If it was really a desirable choice, why has there only been two prototypes?
 
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