Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Maybe by 2020, once all the XX-20 projects are proven to be successful, American analysts will have the courage to ask their own military why its systems and procurement have fallen behind!
Pretty selatious considering its only 400 days give or take from 2020.
 

Hendrik_2000

Lieutenant General
Shenyang really intends to position his FC-31 as the next Chinese onboard fighter ... Photos via 用 影像 记录 生活

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Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Is the one-piece canopy an intentional addition?

Probably not, if you'll notice, this is the J-31 proof of concept aircraft from Zhuhai 4 years ago, so no clipped tips of the prototype FC-31...

I believe it could be done fairly easily, but the aft cockpit bulkhead is a heavy structural member, and having it backing the cockpit gives you a great place to hang equipment, as well as a very safe aft "fire wall" for the pilot... that structure does indeed provide the pilot some additional protection.. though it does limit visibility and light somewhat....
 

Dizasta1

Senior Member
The J-31s have a lot of potential as a project and would become the premier stealth fighter of China's closest allies, who don't have their own stealth fighter programs. As it is well known, these stealth fighters are expensive to develop by just one country. America has done it with several allies contributing toward the program development, as partners in a tiered format. Germany is teaming up with France and Spain for their Stealth Fighter program. Brits are teaming up with the dutch for their own stealth aircraft program.

The way I see it, J-31s would feature at the core of Chinese Navy aircraft carrier program. Extensive work will be required, because this aircraft will be on the front lines to confront adversary air and naval power.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
SAC has released no less than 20+ military tenders for what seems to be various subcomponents of a naval stealth fighter.

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For example, this tender (link below) is for a target identification equipment that must be stealth-capable and be able to track naval targets:
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Other tenders can be viewed via the URL above the link.

Interestingly, Global Times (yes, not the most reliable of sources) has also something to say:
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China’s medium-sized stealth fighter jet FC-31 may be deployed on future aircraft carriers: sources
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/1/1 15:45:24

China's future aircraft carriers will see stealth warplanes on their decks, likely the medium-sized fighter jet FC-31, said Chinese military experts as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is procuring stealth parts for China's aircraft carrier-based fighter jet manufacturer.

Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute is in need of an integral unit for photoelectric target acquisition that is stealth capable, according to a notice the PLA weapon and equipment procurement website weain.mil.cn released on Thursday.

The notice also said that the unit must be able to operate against naval targets and capable of monitoring humidity.

Judging from the stated requirements and previous rumors, Chinese military observers said that the parts mentioned in the procurement are very likely to be used on China's new aircraft carrier-based stealth fighter jets although the notice did not specify how the parts will be used.

Having already designed China's current aircraft carrier-borne fighter jet J-15, Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute is developing a new carrier-based warplane based on the FC-31, a Chinese military insider, who asked not to be named, told the Global Times.

The FC-31 is a fourth generation medium-sized stealth fighter jet originally intended for export. Chinese military experts said that the PLA procurement notice suggests the FC-31 is no longer export-oriented, and is destined for domestic military service.

The FC-31 made its public debut flight at Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, but went relatively quiet after that.

Multiple changes and upgrades are being made to the FC-31 allowing it to be used on an aircraft carrier, the insider said.

China's third aircraft carrier, which was confirmed to be under construction by the Xinhua News Agency in November and is widely expected to be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, will use the stealth fighter jet, predicted Wang Yunfei, a naval expert and retired PLA Navy officer.

The single-seat, twin-engine fighter jet will greatly expand Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups' capabilities just as China's most advanced stealth fighter jet the J-20 did for the PLA Air Force, the anonymous insider said.

"Only a fourth generation fighter jet can stand up against another fourth generation fighter in an engagement without being at a significant disadvantage," he said.

The US-made fourth generation fighter jet F-35B and F-35C are capable of operating on aircraft carriers, and Japan is planning to upgrade its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into aircraft carriers, equipping them with imported F-35Bs.

If indeed related to the FC-31/J-XY project, this may be the first official hint that 601 has indeed won the naval tender. Wait and see, of course.
 

SinoSoldier

Colonel
SAC has released no less than 20+ military tenders for what seems to be various subcomponents of a naval stealth fighter.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


For example, this tender (link below) is for a target identification equipment that must be stealth-capable and be able to track naval targets:
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


Other tenders can be viewed via the URL above the link.

Interestingly, Global Times (yes, not the most reliable of sources) has also something to say:
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!



If indeed related to the FC-31/J-XY project, this may be the first official hint that 601 has indeed won the naval tender. Wait and see, of course.

Sorry @Deino could you move it to the J-XY thread? Thanks in advance!
 
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