J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread

[latenlazy]

First of all, this is a fighter with twin medium-thrust engines and relatively weak power. The naval model will generally have a weight increase of about 1 ton, and the Air Force will not tolerate such meaningless weight.
Secondly, if export is the goal, the added weight of the naval version will be of no value to most target countries. A standard ground-based fighter is more cost-effective.
Third, the fighter jets used by the Air Force will have higher requirements in terms of multi-purpose. The Navy must rely on the J35 to gain air superiority, while the Air Force can completely rely on the J20.

Therefore, if the Air Force needs to equip the J35, it will inevitably require a special design.

Where did you get “relatively weak power” from?

 

[Alfa_Particle]

Let's remember that the WS-19 likely spits out more power than the F110-GE-400 with a package the size of an RD-33 (kinda confirmed by the Guancha trio too).

 

[Phead128]

Therefore, if the Air Force needs to equip the J35, it will inevitably require a special design.

I.e. if PLAAF would just had wanted to help PLANAF out and get some similar capability - they could've directly taken naval variant, maybe in cheaper configuration. Instead,they went for their own variant with expensive test and evaluation campaign.

Naval J-35 is based on the FC-31 which is land-based export variant, so if anything, PLAN is subsidizing the FC-31/J-35A, not PLAAF subsidizing naval J-35. In other words, the original FC-31 is the cheaper predecessor configuration of the naval J-35, which has decade long developmental history.

 

[Gloire_bb]

In other words, the original FC-31 is the cheaper predecessor configuration of the naval J-35, which has decade long developmental history.

Given the scale of changes, I doubt fc-31 test campaign is applicable(just like yf-17 wasn't enough to make F-18L happen).
I think J-35A is a new plane effectively.

 

[Phead128]

Given the scale of changes, I doubt fc-31 test campaign is applicable(just like yf-17 wasn't enough to make F-18L happen).
I think J-35A is a new plane effectively.

I am sure FC-31's testing was very helpful for J-35A. How else could they go from first flight in late 2023 to first potential export customer in mid-2025 (1.7 years) without building upon FC-31's testing and developmental history?

Edit: updated

 

[Tomboy]

How else could they go from first flight in late 2023 to first export customer in mid-2025 (1.7 years) without building upon FC-31's testing and developmental history?

What export customer? IIRC no export orders were confirmed as of now.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Why the tails of the J-35 and 35A differ will forever puzzle me.

Anyways, here a photo:
View attachment 152928

According to the original poster it is in LRIP, second confirmation we got lately.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Let's remember that the WS-19 likely spits out more power than the F110-GE-400 with a package the size of an RD-33 (kinda confirmed by the Guancha trio too).

extensive use of 3D printing and ultra precision manufacturing.

WS-19 is the first military engine program in mainland to adapt digital design process. due to digitalization WS-19 development time reduced by 25 percent.

Engine entered in material selection stage in 2023. so we can expect small scale production this year.

 

[Deino]

Why the tails of the J-35 and 35A differ will forever puzzle me.

Anyways, here a photo:
View attachment 152928

Could you please how you can see on these few small & gains recent images, that the tails are different?

Anyway, this is the video where the image above is from:

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[Gloire_bb]

I am sure FC-31's testing was very helpful for J-35A. How else could they go from first flight in late 2023 to first potential export customer in mid-2025 (1.7 years) without building upon FC-31's testing and developmental history?

Edit: updated

I guess by doing a fast paced, compressed campaign to a specific desired date of introduction. A-la KF-21.
Which was normal in aircraft world in the past.

Entire nose section changed, stabilizers changed, engines changed.
Granted, mainframe are original from the outside, as are wings - or may not as well.
Still, aerodynamics and the way aircraft receives loads changed significantly.

J-16 had to run through a full test campaign for comparatively lesser changes.
J-35A isn't fc-31v2 with changes from J-35, nor it is J-35 with some tweaking.