Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Schwerter_

Junior Member
Registered Member
S
Yes ... since it was revealed in November 2016

View attachment 58148

Anyway I like it ... what is even more astonishing - as per some tweets - that image was allegedly taken already in 2018!

So the pic was taken in 2018, partially sent out (I believe a strip of the photo containing the tail sections and a horizontal stablizer) in 2019 and finally "declassified" in 2020... I wonder what the actual progress of the project is
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Shenyang developed the J-31/FC-31 independently as a way to get ahead of the curve, but that may have offended the "powers that be", anyway it was an inside the company R&D project, it may be that folks don't like hearing that it bears a family resemblance to the "other side of the family"?? who knows, it should be an awesome airplane, I can't imagine why its not at the "head of the class"?
 

manqiangrexue

Brigadier
Shenyang developed the J-31/FC-31 independently as a way to get ahead of the curve, but that may have offended the "powers that be", anyway it was an inside the company R&D project, it may be that folks don't like hearing that it bears a family resemblance to the "other side of the family"?? who knows, it should be an awesome airplane, I can't imagine why its not at the "head of the class"?
Very seriously doubt that disdain for its aesthetics turned it into a political decision to not fund it. Has to be a performance deficiency (that can't be eyeballed) which can be addressed by the V3 evolution. Or it could be that the PLAAF simply did not want a stealth fighter of its size (range, payload) and without anything between the RD-93/33/WS-13 and AL-31/WS-10, Shenyang could not answer. Now they can answer with the WS-19 powered V3 if everything goes well.
 

AndrewS

Brigadier
Registered Member
Shenyang developed the J-31/FC-31 independently as a way to get ahead of the curve, but that may have offended the "powers that be", anyway it was an inside the company R&D project, it may be that folks don't like hearing that it bears a family resemblance to the "other side of the family"?? who knows, it should be an awesome airplane, I can't imagine why its not at the "head of the class"?

A long-range heavyweight air superiority fighter like the J-20 has a much higher cost/benefit ratio than a J-31.
So best to use the limited funding to develop the J-20 first.
But at some point, there will be a lack of worthwhile missions for the J-20, given its cost.

For a lower-priority role like defensive counter-air, a J-20 is overkill.
So cheaper J-31 will suffice for this mission.
 

MastanKhan

Junior Member
Shenyang developed the J-31/FC-31 independently as a way to get ahead of the curve, but that may have offended the "powers that be", anyway it was an inside the company R&D project, it may be that folks don't like hearing that it bears a family resemblance to the "other side of the family"?? who knows, it should be an awesome airplane, I can't imagine why its not at the "head of the class"?

More like 'powers that be '---. The 'powers that be' will only let you go so far---. You may flaunt your product at your own peril and the chinese are very smart people---.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Very seriously doubt that disdain for its aesthetics turned it into a political decision to not fund it. Has to be a performance deficiency (that can't be eyeballed) which can be addressed by the V3 evolution. Or it could be that the PLAAF simply did not want a stealth fighter of its size (range, payload) and without anything between the RD-93/33/WS-13 and AL-31/WS-10, Shenyang could not answer. Now they can answer with the WS-19 powered V3 if everything goes well.

I completely agree, and I was just throwing that out there a bit "tongue in cheek", I agree that the J-31/FC-31/J-35 is a work in progress, what we know currently is that we have two flying "proof of concept aircraft", so we've been holding our breath for a while, so I am looking forward to V3 and as you have so astutely pointed out, the real question has been the engines, and if WS-19 is ready, it may very well be the key to bringing V3 to the forefront.
 
Top