Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Deino · May 3, 2018

SinoSoldier said:
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So there were indeed two FC-31V1 prototypes? ... one additional static test airframe?

SinoSoldier · May 3, 2018

Deino said:
So there were indeed two FC-31V1 prototypes? ... one additional static test airframe?

All aircraft programs worth their weight in salt should have static prototypes.

ougoah · May 3, 2018

Nice photos. Thanks for the upload. I think I saw the side bay opening in one of those photos or maybe it was just for the landing gear. Partially blocked from view but the opening looks like J-20s.

siegecrossbow · May 3, 2018

Interview of the FC-31 designer on a Chinese talkshow reviewed that the current FC-31 V2.0 prototype has an empty weight of 12.5 metric tons and a RCS of 0.05 M^2.

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SinoSoldier · May 3, 2018

siegecrossbow said:
Interview of the FC-31 designer on a Chinese talkshow reviewed that the current FC-31 V2.0 prototype has an empty weight of 12.5 metric tons and a RCS of 0.05 M^2.

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So I guess the rumors of the J-10C beating the FC-31 during RCS tests were false. I think the FC-31 would make a great low-observable fighter.

Tirdent · May 3, 2018

Sounds pretty believable to me.

siegecrossbow · May 3, 2018

SinoSoldier said:
So I guess the rumors of the J-10C beating the FC-31 during RCS tests were false. I think the FC-31 would make a great low-observable fighter.

Even if the J-10C has superior RCS in a clean configuration, it means little since a 4th generation fighter will still need to carry weapons externally, which will compromise the RCS by quite a bit.

latenlazy · May 3, 2018

siegecrossbow said:
Even if the J-10C has superior RCS in a clean configuration, it means little since a 4th generation fighter will still need to carry weapons externally, which will compromise the RCS by quite a bit.

That rumour also said the J-31 was overweight. 12.5 tonnes empty doesn’t sound overweight.

SinoSoldier · May 3, 2018

latenlazy said:
That rumour also said the J-31 was overweight. 12.5 tonnes empty doesn’t sound overweight.

Interesting to note that pb19980515 claimed that the J-XY will have an empty weight of 14 tons. I wonder if the 1.5 ton increase is due to the added mass of the optronics and onboard avionics.

latenlazy · May 3, 2018

SinoSoldier said:
Interesting to note that pb19980515 claimed that the J-XY will have an empty weight of 14 tons. I wonder if the 1.5 ton increase is due to the added mass of the optronics and onboard avionics.

Or perhaps that 1.5 tonnes is for extra structural support and an enlarged frame.

Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

Deino

Lieutenant General

SinoSoldier

Colonel

ougoah

Brigadier

siegecrossbow

Field Marshall

SinoSoldier

Colonel

Tirdent

Junior Member

siegecrossbow

Field Marshall

latenlazy

Brigadier

SinoSoldier

Colonel

latenlazy

Brigadier