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

[HailingTX20]

Looks to be a new ground photo of the J-35A? Judging by the horizontal stabilizers and the front landing gear, I mean.

View attachment 153527

I was thinking about posting that too, but something about it looks a bit off: Maybe it's just digital zoom artifacts, but it almost feels a little photoshopped.

Still, it's interesting and very weird that we're seeing images of both the J-35 and J-35A, apparently from inside facilities, appearing online all at the same time.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Still, it's interesting and very weird that we're seeing images of both the J-35 and J-35A, apparently from inside facilities, appearing online all at the same time.

Someone's getting invited for tea real soon, I believe.

 

[zyklon]

The original poster agreed to a commentor's question that this satellite imagery was taken at the base with the Wanghai Brigade.

If the claim is true, then this is also the first bridage with a J-20 + J-35A mix.

There's been chatter of the 9th Fighter Brigade a/k/a Wang Hai Brigade ("王海大队") receiving the J-35 since at least late last year.

Some of it has been touched upon in this thread:

It is rumored that the J-35A has equipped the PLAAF's Eastern Theater Command at Wuhu Airbase. Unconfirmed, of course.

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hmm?… equipping a front-line unit before it was tested / went thru OPEVAL at a FTTB unit would be strange

Besides, Wuhu is home to the 9th AB, which received the J-20 in 2018. It'd be surprising for it to convert from one 5th gen to another.

IIRC, the 9th Air Brigade, or more precisely its predecessor regiment under the former 3rd Air Division, was one of the first, if not the first unit to be equipped with the Su-27SK in the early 1990s, and then the Su-30MKK around 2000.

Fairly sure they were also the first or second line unit to be equipped with the J-20. Not sure precisely how elite or special this unit is, but it has been characterized as such given its history of prioritized access to and adoption of the PLAAF's newest fighters.

This is obviously a rumor, but not an implausible scenario. Wouldn't be shocking if it was true.

 

[siegecrossbow]

There's been chatter of the 9th Fighter Brigade a/k/a Wang Hai Brigade ("王海大队") receiving the J-35 since at least late last year.

Some of it has been touched upon in this thread:

Some folks who did measurement of the satellite photo claim that it might be an L-15 based on size. Also, since the photos were apparently snapped back in November 2024 it is possible that they were the Zhuhai birds making a transit.

 

[Deino]

View attachment 153523

First or second operational unit.

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what unit should be the first?

 

[siegecrossbow]

what unit should be the first?

Cangzhou would be my guess.

 

[Tomboy]

Looks to be a new ground photo of the J-35A? Judlike its by the horizontal stabilizers and the front landing gear, I mean.

View attachment 153527

I unfortunately don't think this is a serial aircraft, the EOTS window is still painted over like the prototypes at Zhuhai last year.

 

[siegecrossbow]

I unfortunately don't think this is a serial aircraft, the EOTS window is still painted over like the prototypes at Zhuhai last year.

Are we sure it is painted over and not covered with a lid like we’ve seen with J-20 at Zhuhai?

 

[HailingTX20]

I unfortunately don't think this is a serial aircraft, the EOTS window is still painted over like the prototypes at Zhuhai last year.

I wonder if it is the Zhuhai prototypes with the 75 PS'd over. Though the trees make it look like it was taken somewhere in the north.

 

[bsdnf]

the most reasonable assumption is that the FTTB (Flight Test & Training Base) in Cangzhou will be the first unit