Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
- Thread starter RedSky
- Start date
vesicles
Colonel
So the official name is now J-31!
And the document shown on the previous page says the J-31 is for international market only. I guess that settles it... the PLAAF / PLAN won't be getting it...
Don't speak too soon. We still don't know who will win (or has won) the carrier fighter contest yet.
Also, if SAC does end up getting customers and is able to set up production without PLA support, I wouldn't be surprised if PLAAF or PLAN makes a purchasing decision at a later date.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
That's quite contradictory. If it has a "J" prefix in its designation, then it is essentially confirmed that it will enter PLANAF or PLAAF service. Perhaps there is an export-tailored model that is the subject of this year's display.
vesicles
Colonel
I don't t know... JF-17 has a "J" designation too...
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Yes, but the "J" in "JF-17" stands for "joint", while the "J" in "J-31" (and other PLAAF fighters) stand for "jian", the designation reserved for their fighter aircraft.
vesicles
Colonel
I see! So the "J" in "JF-17" is actually "joint" in English?! Had no idea... Thanks for the info!
Engineer
Major
AVIC can give any name to the aircraft they want, but the name will only be official when PLAAF says it.
Now, Now, lets not get cranky Eng, we are all getting older, and things that used to flow naturally, now operate in fits and starts, or not at all?? I think that your predisposition against Shen-yang, could be behind that??? So wasn't the export version labeled FC-17 at Zuhai? Now that I've got your attention, what do you think about 2016?? Are those nozzles shorter? or the nacelle longer, or same?
Neat, the DSI in the J-31 model shares the same color as the nosecone. This is the same as the recent change seen in the 2016 J-20.
Assuming the J-31 model is completely faithful to the intended final design, there's probably sensors intended for that space too. Either that or it's just an unfinished paint job, lol.