Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
re #4225, and more....

KoiF-fxyyfqs3613542.jpg

weapon bay open...J-31, second version...

193_226803_941294.jpg

what can carry in weapon bay.....medium range missiles...

193_226804_659170.jpg

small diameter bombs....

193_226790_454554.jpg

takes to the air...

193_226793_927740.jpg

the first & second version...
Yep, we build all our bombs for "export" to unfriendly nations, "free on time delivery guaranteed"!
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
some musings... given the disclosed specifications of fc31 at zhuhai, their differences from ones given two years ago and the recent images, here is some conjecture and observation. half a meter longer plane should involve a bit longer fuselage, even though most of the increase seems due to repositioned horizontal stabilizators which are now even more aft than before.
assuming take off roll figures are for a nominal TO mass, which seems likely given just 450 meters, and given the linear increase in both take off roll and mtow (around 12%) one could guesstimate that empty weight went up by a similar amount.
even though nominal TO weight wasnt given this time for v2, it seems plausible it is close to 19 tons, given the other increases. fuel carried does seem to be increased as range went up by a smidgeon even though plane is heavier.

given the weights of f35, EF and mig29 family (somewhat comparable), id say there are fair chances v2 is around 12 to 13 tons empty. also, given the increases in weight and roll distance, id wager the powerplant is not meaningfuly more powerful than one in v1. (if it was, plane would be either even heavier or roll distance would be shorter. so similar engines seem like most plausible explanation)
anyway, these new figures seem much more realistic than initial ones. range seemed especially dubious given the weights, but these new figures seem to have corrected that.

While the fuselage may be longer and the horizontal stabs further aft, it also appears that the verts and rudders have been slid forward, probably to reduce RCS. Anyway, China's Best looking airplane, just got better looking.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Anyone knows the advantages to a clipped tail? Is it for RCS reduction or fine trimming for the yaw rate etc?

Yes Sir, it is indeed for RCS reduction, and as its a prominent feature of the F-22?? it must be helpful???

Now Steel, brother, lets not call our friends best girl "un-attractive", in fact in her own way she bears a strong resemblance to the SR-71 in planform. It really has grown on me, and knowing that certain "plumpness is necessary in order to support an "internal weapons bay" all stealthy aircraft will be designed this way.

Stealthy L/O aircraft are gonna be a a little more plump!
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
Yes Sir, it is indeed for RCS reduction, and as its a prominent feature of the F-22?? it must be helpful???

Now Steel, brother, lets not call our friends best girl "un-attractive", in fact in her own way she bears a strong resemblance to the SR-71 in planform. It really has grown on me, and knowing that certain "plumpness is necessary in order to support an "internal weapons bay" all stealthy aircraft will be designed this way.

Stealthy L/O aircraft are gonna be a a little more plump!
Necessary to round the corners as for some post here... ;):D:rolleyes:
The shipment is always guaranteed but not necessarily the return humm :cool:
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Yes Sir, it is indeed for RCS reduction, and as its a prominent feature of the F-22?? it must be helpful???

Now Steel, brother, lets not call our friends best girl "un-attractive", in fact in her own way she bears a strong resemblance to the SR-71 in planform. It really has grown on me, and knowing that certain "plumpness is necessary in order to support an "internal weapons bay" all stealthy aircraft will be designed this way.

Stealthy L/O aircraft are gonna be a a little more plump!

"No deposit, not returns"
 

tidalwave

Senior Member
Registered Member
I heard Iran very interested in getting the FC31 and CHina's anti-stealth radar against Israel.
If that happens, China will gain another Iron Brother besides Pakistan.

This program is very important from a geopolitical standpoint. PLA should adopt this plane ASAP.
The more they use the more foreigners will have confidence.

I expect in 2020, FC31 can supercruise and have thrust vectroring , all those abilities.
 

SteelBird

Colonel
I heard Iran very interested in getting the FC31 and CHina's anti-stealth radar against Israel.
If that happens, China will gain another Iron Brother besides Pakistan.

This program is very important from a geopolitical standpoint. PLA should adopt this plane ASAP.
The more they use the more foreigners will have confidence.

I expect in 2020, FC31 can supercruise and have thrust vectroring , all those abilities.
I don't think so. I think Israel has good relationship with China and used to provide a lot of military hardware to China. So China isn't going to damage this relationship.
 
Top