Shenyang J-31/35 Stealth Fighter

J31 is not actually called J31， Air force and navy still not decide to buy this fighter，coz we don't see the army emblem on this aircraft.
J is for fighter in Chinese.  it's like american ATF XX now  .

shenyang and chengdu compete the 4 gen fighter project in 1990s , as we now chengdu won (J20)

shenyang lost the 3 gen fighter (J10) and 4 gen fighter project.

they must keep the design team and have experice on 4 gen fighter design.  they decide to build a 4 gen fighter for export, and they have a little hope , when this fighter appear . PLA will want it for new AC.

they use their own money to develop this project( not from defence budget)

about the engine still no clue .

If the J-31 and J-20 design actually were pitted in a competition and Shenyang lost the bid to produce a fifth generation fighter for the PLAAF than it kinda explains why development is slow compared Chengdu's J-20 program. It's appearance in the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow shows it's allowed for export and it will get a host of modifications as seen from the model. This is likely the main reasons why the J-31 program continues because it's planned to be an export jet fighter similar to the JF-17 or a technological demonstrator program.

Very surprising that after all this time this aircraft is more secretive than the J-20. What's certain that it's is open for export and will very likely get some changes once more prototypes appear. Another theory is that the PLAAF does plan to introduce the J-31 but the J-20 is a higher priority since most of its technologies and systems have gone through various testings and major components, particularly the engine is known to be in development. Compared to the unknown engine for the J-31 it's likely why the program is taking much longer. If the PLAAF does plan to hold on to the J-31 than it's possibly an aircraft designed as a carrier wing for future PLAN CVs, which is much suited for the role compared to the J-20.

Tyloe wrote:If the J-31 and J-20 design actually were pitted in a competition and Shenyang lost the bid to produce a fifth generation fighter for the PLAAF than it kinda explains why development is slow compared Chengdu's J-20 program. It's appearance in the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow shows it's allowed for export and it will get a host of modifications as seen from the model. This is likely the main reasons why the J-31 program continues because it's planned to be an export jet fighter similar to the JF-17 or a technological demonstrator program.

Very surprising that after all this time this aircraft is more secretive than the J-20. What's certain that it's is open for export and will very likely get some changes once more prototypes appear. Another theory is that the PLAAF does plan to introduce the J-31 but the J-20 is a higher priority since most of its technologies and systems have gone through various testings and major components, particularly the engine is known to be in development. Compared to the unknown engine for the J-31 it's likely why the program is taking much longer. If the PLAAF does plan to hold on to the J-31 than it's possibly an aircraft designed as a carrier wing for future PLAN CVs, which is much suited for the role compared to the J-20.

no different plan ， Shenyang and Chengdu compete for the heavy 4gen program, here is a pic of that lossing candidate
it's a three-surface configuration fighter. after Shenyang fail ，they begin to work on a new middle-sized fighter for export. And hope J31 could be on PLAN CVs one day. It develop slow coz they use their own money not from national defence budget. There is still no army emblem on 31001 （J31） ， but you can find it on J20 prototype

J-31 Weapons bay

The first flight of the second prototype of the Chinese FC-31 fighter aircraft from Shenyang

Uncertain Future of the Chinese FC-31 fighter

The development of the news of the last days of the first flight of the second prototype of the Chinese fighter J-31 / FC-31 give reasonably interesting material «FC-31 Future?» Authored by Andreas Rupprecht, published in the December issue of the journal «Air International». According to the author, the future of FC-31 is not known. According to recent statements, the fighter remains in development Shennyanskoy Aviation Corporation (Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, SAC), while apparently the project has minimal support from the Air Force and Navy of the PLA.

There were rumors that he would soon have to get off the ground a second prototype (which is what happened last week - bmpd). This aircraft will be different solid lantern, several elongated and extended fuselage, modified vertical tail surfaces, installed winglets on the keels and wings, as well as the installation of engines WS-13A and the WS-13E with inconspicuous nozzles, electro-optical sighting system in the nose as well as the rod refueling.

As reported, SAC has built one copy for the static test, and July 3 cargo plane was seen, covered with a tarpaulin which was carrying aircraft, outlines similar to FC-31, then it has been suggested that this is the second prototype. This aircraft was later seen returning to Shenyang.

However, unlike the fighter J-20A, there are questions as to what the future of the FC-31, particularly after the message that is being developed in Shenyang new single-engine fighter.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2346491.html

Subscribe The Youtube Channel For The Latest Videos...

https://www.youtube.com/c/militarystuffvideos

China has developt a "third-generation medium-thrust aeroengine" for is J-31 fighters. Gess this means they will stop buying the RD-93 from Russia.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202102/1215468.shtml

GarryB wrote:In the case of exports that would probably come down to export customers preferences... they might want to continue with the same engine as they already have it in service, but of course it would come down to any advantages the new Chinese engine might offer.

If the j-31 is going to be the next Carrier fighter im gessing they want it to be equipt as much as possible with chinese technology.

"Make a Breakthrough": China announced the creation of a new generation carrier-based fighter

Yesterday, 07: 42

China is starting to develop a new carrier-based fighter, which in the future should replace the carrier-based J-15 in service with the PLA Navy. According to the Chinese press, the Chinese company Shenyang Aircraft Ltd. will be engaged in the creation of the new aircraft.

Development of the carrier-based fighter will begin this year, the company declares its intention to "make a breakthrough" in the program for the creation of fifth generation fighters. According to the plans of the developers, the aircraft will be ready by the mid-2030s.

Shenyang Aircraft Ltd does not specify the details of the development, but, most likely, the new carrier-based fighter will be created on the basis of the fifth-generation fighter FC-31 (J-31) already developed by the company.

Plans to develop an improved version of the J-31 for use from the deck of aircraft carriers were announced back in 2018. The Chinese Ministry of Defense considered this aircraft a successful platform for creating a promising carrier-based fighter and opened funding. The carrier-based fighter at that time was designated as J-FX.

The J-FX project will be based on the design of the existing FC-31 aircraft. At the same time, certain improvements are needed. The aircraft needs a folding wing, a reinforced landing gear, a brake hook, etc. In addition, during the restructuring of the finished fighter, it is planned to carry out a serious modernization of the onboard radio-electronic equipment.

In 2020, it became known that Chinese specialists are busy solving the problem of increasing the thrust of the J-31 engine - with bringing the thrust indicators to those parameters that would provide not only super-maneuverability, but also the ability to take off from the deck of aircraft carriers without problems.

To date, the main carrier-based fighter of the Chinese Navy remains the J-15, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Ltd on the basis of the Russian Su-33.

https://en.topwar.ru/181466-sovershit-proryv-v-kitae-anonsirovali-sozdanie-palubnogo-istrebitelja-novogo-pokolenija.html

PapaDragon wrote:
So they are finally ditching that Ukrainian albatross?

To think they could have had proper Su-33 all this time but instead made idiots of themselves just to save some pocket change

Its first flight was in 2009. They could have purchased su 33's and then got right to work on a 5th gen carrier jet. Then it would probably be going into service now.

Anyway glad to hear something is finally official. It will be great to have a new fighter in the mix.

This should pressure India into ordering su 57 naval variants.

Ready by the "mid 2030s".
The J-15 still have some time left then.

GarryB wrote:that top picture in the post above (no. 58) I thought it was a MiG-29 for a second.

I guess they all have the same basic twin engine twin fin layout of the MiG-25 anyway...

Mig 29K dimensions FC-31

length 57ft 57ft
wing span 40 ft 38ft
height 14ft 6in 15ft
Wing area 460 sqft 430 sqft

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/new-stealth-fighter-how-crafty-china-got-its-j-31-jet-189191

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42920/chinas-carrier-capable-stealth-fighter-has-flown

China’s Carrier-Capable Naval Stealth Fighter Has Flown

Photos beginning to appear on social media apparently show, beyond little doubt, the carrier version of China’s Shenyang FC-31 stealth fighter, which is expected to play a vital role in the continued and impressive development of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier force. While we have previously seen an apparent mockup of the jet — the first stealthy carrier-capable fighter to be developed outside the United States — the new images show a prototype flying for what may well be the first time.

The aircraft in question retains the same basic configuration as the land-based FC-31, first flown in prototype form in October 2012, but which has not yet won any orders from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force or export operators, to whom it has been increasingly targeted. Wearing a blue-green primer finish, the new jet has the same twin canted tailfins, twin engines, and high-mounted cockpit of the FC-31, but adds a catapult launch bar and a wing-fold mechanism, confirming it’s intended for carrier operations

First flight:

J-20 - 2011
FC-31 - 2012
FC-31V2 - 2016
J-20 twin seat - 2021
J-XY - 2021

The progress is incredible.

What's curious however is why they are unable to field a larger fleet of J20, or even a functional deck-fighter.

Sujoy wrote:First flight:

J-20 - 2011
FC-31 - 2012
FC-31V2 - 2016
J-20 twin seat - 2021
J-XY - 2021

The progress is incredible.

What's curious however is why they are unable to field a larger fleet of J20, or even a functional deck-fighter.

Sources claims anywhere from 40-150 active J-20 stealth fighters. Doubt they could have produced 150 already, the real number is probably 50-70 aircrafts.

And although the J-15 has have its problems, its still more then enough for the present STOBAR carriers. The J-31 will probably enter service with the new type-003 carrier.

Are the Aircraft carriers Stealth ? Then the Aircraft are not . If China can neutralize Carrier at sea , then America can do it too . But like having skyscrapers , they are the must have things or status symbols . Useful perhaps for pushing around poor and weak nations . Otherwise against an opponent with parity , then they are a waste of money . Who are the Chinese building these to be used against ?