Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

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Colonel
Registered Member
China's FC-31 fighter jet shows major upgrades at Paris Air Show
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China's fifth-generation stealth fighter jet FC-31 showcased its latest upgrades at the ongoing Paris Air Show, and analysts noted on Wednesday that the displayed model shows noteworthy changes in design that could significantly improve its capabilities.

A scaled model of the FC-31 is being displayed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) at the company's stand at the 53rd Paris Air Show, which is scheduled to run from Monday to Sunday.

Chinese military observers and media said the model on display appears to have undergone many changes compared to the aircraft's past designs.

The area behind the cockpit and the areas where the two engines are housed are now bulkier, Weihutang, a military column affiliated with China Central Television, reported on Wednesday.

The optimized aerodynamic design further reduces wind resistance, the report said.

Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Wednesday that these changes could mean the aircraft has been made more agile and is capable of carrying more fuel, which will give it a larger operational range.

It might also carry additional electronic devices for communication or satellite links, Wang said.

The upgraded FC-31 might even feature a pair of new engines, reported Ordnance Industry Science Technology, a Xi'an-based periodical on the national defense industry.

The nozzles of the engines on the FC-31 model displayed in Paris are very different in structure and shape than the ones previously used, the periodical said, noting that this means the warplane will become more competitive on the international market, giving it a better chance of joining the People's Liberation Army if it gets new and more powerful engines.

Wang said that the warplane will continue to boost its capabilities.

For countries looking to buy an advanced stealth fighter jet, the FC-31 is similar to the US F-35 but much cheaper, and China does not attach political conditions to arms sales as the US does, Wang said.
 

Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
Pakistan should immediately invest $1 billion cash into the FC-31 project

so by the time the the final JF17 Block III comes off the production line in 2024 in 2025 we start on 5th generation fighter

Shenyang continues to shop for "international partners" to help them build the FC-31, Pakistan is indeed a likely "target" partner, as are several other Mid Eastern nations, upgrading to an indigenous engine would help them in their quest. I rather doubt the FC-31 will find much internal funding without at least one major international partner, preferably three or four.

This model we see floating around is likely an attempt to indicate to potential partners that AVIC continues to "refine", or "freshen", the design and is moving forward in bringing this attractive airplane toward the prototype stage.
 

Dizasta1

Senior Member
What are the chances, that if Turkey joins the FC-31 program, that Pakistan, Russia and China team up as well? Because if that happens, it would render a huge boost to the program and allow others to also join in, like Indonesia. With Russia's vast experience coupled with China's rapid advances in the aviation industry, and the other three countries having a solid base in aircraft manufacturing (Pakistan, Indonesia & Turkey), the potential for success would be huge.

Time will tell whether this could actually happen, and if it does, that would be a huge blow to America. The impact could be enormous, provided the program progresses at a fast pace. Getting the aircraft designed, tested, evaluated and certified on time can render decent dividends in the shape of orders from potentially Middle Eastern, Central Asian, North African, South East Asian and Latin American countries.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
It’s all wishful thinking.
The only part of a Partnership Russia would supply is perhaps Engines and that’s questionable.
They HAVE to sell SU57. FC31 is direct competition to SU57. The More FC31 sales the less potential market for SU57 the higher the home price tag of SU57. Ideology falters compared to budget.
The Chinese have pushed ahead of Russia in fifth gens with the production of J20 and prototyping of FC31. If the Chinese seriously start offering FC31 for sale to the military export market Russia has no real incentive to partner on it.
Turkey is trying to play Russia and China fighter buys at home to assure they they don’t need F35 and to try and get the US back into bed.
Pakistan seems solid on China hoping that Beijing gives them their long promised super fighter.
Indonesia is questionable at best last I heard they were still go for KF-X.

As to the Rest it would be interesting but F35 is already exporting to a substantial number of nations and is locked to be the most numerous produced fifth gen fighter in the world. FC31 seems set thus far has no solid on production. Fans want it to be the Sino JSF but with no confirmation and no shopping of it or evidence there In. Markets for it exist but not as wide spread. This is after all the Third world, only a few have actual Air forces and the nature of fifth gens sensitive electronics and Low observable coatings make them hanger queens. Poor choices to nations that lack a strong financial and industrial base. This virtually eliminates African nations save perhaps Egypt and South Africa. Just about all of Latin America, huge chunks of Asia, save perhaps the Middle East its a special platform unique to the developed world. I mean this form of fighter is beyond “Gold plated”.
 

Qi Li

Just Hatched
Registered Member
Considering what happened to Kuznetsov and HQ-9, China are unlikely to cooperate with Turkey.
 
Turkey seems to be cozy up to China. This is very short notice.
Yet skeptics are concern if can Edrogan be a reliable and trustworthy partner or as mentioned just playing one against another? Time will tell.


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Turkey's Erdogan to visit China on July 2

By Cao Desheng | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2019-06-25 20:32
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President Xi Jinping meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, June 15, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit China on July 2 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said on Tuesday.
 

Biscuits

Major
Registered Member
There’s difference between courtesy and friendliness. China is showing the former. It’s a favor that costs them nothing.

Turkey is an US ally, they cannot be trusted with cutting edge technology. Selling anything to turkey is as good as selling it to Washington directly. If a J-31 that isn’t completely gutted like the Iraqi t-72s is sold to turkey, I give it 5 years tops before US rolls out an improved joint strike fighter.
 
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