Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

fasiiih

New Member
Registered Member
enlarging FC-31 with the current RD-93 or WS-13E engines ? Is WS-17 is still on the development track ? or any other next generation mid thrust engine..
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
What is the reason for not using the j-20 as basis for a carrier fighter?

to big, and historically aft mounted Delta wings were not in service very long, Rafale is the lone exception these days.

In any respect there are many of us who called the FC-31 for the PLANAF long ago?? so we will see whether or not, current events bring new life to the FC-31?
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
enlarging FC-31 with the current RD-93 or WS-13E engines ? Is WS-17 is still on the development track ? or any other next generation mid thrust engine..

I would suspect we would likely see it with the WS-13 initially unless they do enlarge it significantly, remember, we have seen a very successful airshow debut several years ago, and the J-31 flew very well, J-20 highlighted the show this past fall at Zuhai.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Wouldn't J-31 be referred to as a fourth generation fighter in Chinese nomenclature?



Talk about fighting yesterday's war ... or do you really imagine that the US Navy's next fighter will not significantly exceed the F-14 Tomcat in range and payload capability? In fact, we can reasonably expect "more range" to be at the top of the US Navy's (and USAF's for that matter) requirements list for the next generation of aircraft to come online by mid-2030s, and for those aircraft to at least match and probably exceed J-15 in size/weight.

the current trend seems to be smaller carrier fighters, range however is at a premium, and the FC-31 is indeed aimed at 5th generation capabilities. The J-15 is exceptional for many reasons, size and range among those reasons, but remember the J-15, likely flies off the ramp with considerably less fuel and weapons than it is capable of carrying?? that is the 64 dollar question.
 

fasiiih

New Member
Registered Member
the current trend seems to be smaller carrier fighters, range however is at a premium, and the FC-31 is indeed aimed at 5th generation capabilities. The J-15 is exceptional for many reasons, size and range among those reasons, but remember the J-15, likely flies off the ramp with considerably less fuel and weapons than it is capable of carrying?? that is the 64 dollar question.
exactly the reason i am concerned about FC-31´s current engine...maximum useful weapons load it can carry when stationed on a STOBAR carrier. i agree about its aerodynamics performance can we compare it to mig-29k ?
 

Lethe

Captain
The only reason USN does not have a J-15 size naval aircraft right now is because NATF was cancelled as part of the post Cold War draw-down. And we're a long way past that now. Going forward the US Navy wants fighters with longer legs so the carrier can remain more distant from evolving threats such as DF-21D. There is a good chance that the next US carrier-based fighter will be the largest it has ever operated.
 
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KIENCHIN

Junior Member
Registered Member
the current trend seems to be smaller carrier fighters, range however is at a premium, and the FC-31 is indeed aimed at 5th generation capabilities. The J-15 is exceptional for many reasons, size and range among those reasons, but remember the J-15, likely flies off the ramp with considerably less fuel and weapons than it is capable of carrying?? that is the 64 dollar question.
On the up coming CATOBAR carrier, the J15's full load potential would come to bear and on the question of whether there would be a catapult launch capable carrier or not is no longer a question of if but when it would finally turn up.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Wouldn't J-31 be referred to as a fourth generation fighter in Chinese nomenclature?



Talk about fighting yesterday's war ... or do you really imagine that the US Navy's next fighter will not significantly exceed the F-14 Tomcat in range and payload capability? In fact, we can reasonably expect "more range" to be at the top of the US Navy's (and USAF's for that matter) requirements list for the next generation of aircraft to come online by mid-2030s, and for those aircraft to at least match and probably exceed J-15 in size/weight.
Current concepts place the weight of the FA-XX around 40,000 lb same as the F14 , lighter than F22 just 2,000 pounds heavier than J15 that would make it 6,000 pounds heavier than F35C. Estimates for FC31 vary but generally it's around the weight of F35C
 
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