Shenyang FC-31 prototype to J-XY / J-35 naval fighter

[siegecrossbow]

 

[Deino]

It is grey now !

 

[siegecrossbow]

 

[Deino]

Allegedly a second J-35 prototype numbered '350003' has been spotted. Even if this is only a rough sketch, the image it is based on is allegedly real.

(Image via @塔什蒙贡星系 from Weibo)

 

[siegecrossbow]

PLANAF insignia added.

 

[siegecrossbow]

A shot of it in the air.

 

[TMA1]

Lovely little fighter. The nozzles are a first for me and quite interesting as you can see the pedigree still. I wonder if Russians might try something similar or offer something similar on their rd-93ma turbofan.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Test flight video.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1550762230714494976

 

[Maro.Kyo]

View attachment 681504

PLANAF insignia added.

That really cements the fact that this bird is now officially called J-35 I guess?

 

[siegecrossbow]

View attachment 681504

PLANAF insignia added.

That really cements the fact that this bird is now officially called J-35 I guess?

Same thoughts here Maro.Kyo. Now all we need is an official name for the J-35.

For that we'll need to go through the list of "which mythic creatrues we still have in the list that has not been used on Chinese aircraft" I guess

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1609760619879702528

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/FierceDragons/status/1609760619879702528


a recent pic has emerged.

 

[Deino]

And another J-35 image … plus the one from the Tweet above
(Image briefly seen on Bilibili)

 

[helmutkohl]

is that an IFR probe near the radome on the bottom pic?

 

[FighterJock]

is that an IFR probe near the radome on the bottom pic?

From what I can tell from the picture helmutkohl, it is a IFR probe. One question have they started to use the probe in flight?

 

[kaiserd]

If you are talking about the probe that looks like it is coming directly out of the radome that really looks like a flight testing probe not going to be seen in any production version (and definitely not a IFR probe, which would interfere with the radar, bad place for the necessary plumbing, etc.).

 

[helmutkohl]

If you are talking about the probe that looks like it is coming directly out of the radome that really looks like a flight testing probe not going to be seen in any production version (and definitely not a IFR probe, which would interfere with the radar, bad place for the necessary plumbing, etc.).

Fighterjock and I are referring to this

 

[Deino]

If I'm not mistaken, then these are two J-35s both carrying PL-15 (?) missiles.

(Image via @鼎盛大彪 from Weibo)

 

[cattalonX]

 

[Deino]

Here is the full image comparing both FC-31V2 (top) vs the J-35 prototype …

 

[helmutkohl]

^ the pitot tube on the prototype is still there, may. not be as noticeable because its blends in nicely where the runway and grass meet, but its there.

the only real difference I see is the turkey feathers being serrated, the landing gear being updated for carrier ops, and some sensor bump behind the canopy.

 

[siegecrossbow]

^ the pitot tube on the prototype is still there, may. not be as noticeable because its blends in nicely where the runway and grass meet, but its there.

the only real difference I see is the turkey feathers being serrated, the landing gear being updated for carrier ops, and some sensor bump behind the canopy.

The engine on J-35 has been changed to WS-13E (or WS-21). Although the engine technically has RD-33 ancestry there has been significant modifications to the compressor (different number of fan blades) and even the core of the engine. As per information disclosed via a recent PPT infographics it can generate over 9000 kgf.

 

[HalfACupOfRice]

So I was going through a Toys R Us in Chengdu and I found this not-lego J-35 set that they were selling.
Just something I thought would be fun to post.

 

[siegecrossbow]

So I was going through a Toys R Us in Chengdu and I found this not-lego J-35 set that they were selling.
Just something I thought would be fun to post.
View attachment 705883View attachment 705884

Toys R Us still operates as an independent store in China?

 

[HalfACupOfRice]

Toys R Us still operates as an independent store in China?

I guess so? I don't know the details however.

 

[Deino]

Allegedly a new - maybe third - prototype ... (posted by @立马投投花 from Weibo)

 

[FighterJock]

A third prototype flying Deino? How many prototypes will Shenyang be building before they start working on the production fighters?

 

[Deino]

A third prototype flying Deino? How many prototypes will Shenyang be building before they start working on the production fighters?

Actually the third known if this rumour is correct, however I won't be surprised if there are already more out ... and for everything else I actually don't know, but my feelings tell me they need even more than for the J-20 program, where CAC had altogether 2 demonstrators & 6 true prototypes. So if we try to compare both programs and equal the J-20 demonstrators 2001 & 2002 to the FC-31 demonstrators 31001 & 31003 and consequently the first true prototype no. 2011 first flown in March 2014 with the first J-35 demonstrator no. 350001, then all subsequent prototypes are maybe a useful way to compare both programs ... even if in the end it will only show, both programs running on different schedules:

J-20:
no. 2011 - March 2014
no. 2012 - July 2014
no. 2013 - November 2014
no. 2015 - December 2014
no. 2016 - September 2015
no. 2017 - November 2015 = 6 prototypes within 20 months ---> service entry December 2016

J-35:
no. 35001 - October 2021
no. 35003 - July 2022 (?)
no. 35005 (?) - September 2023 = so far 3 prototypes within 24 months

Anyway, it will be excieting to see, what's next!

 

[FighterJock]

Let's see what happens in the next stage of J-35 development Deino, it will be good to watch.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Allegedly a new - maybe third - prototype ... (posted by @立马投投花 from Weibo)

View attachment 708522
View attachment 708523

Original video.

微博

随时随地发现新鲜事！微博带你欣赏世界上每一个精彩瞬间，了解每一个幕后故事。分享你想表达的，让全世界都能听到你的心声！

m.weibo.cn

 

[FighterJock]

Anyone knows what is being said in the article that siegecrossbow posted above?

 

[Deino]

Anyone knows what is being said in the article that siegecrossbow posted above?

I think it is just the link to the original video

 

[GTX]

Speculation Over Possible New J-35 Variant For China’s Air Force

Imagery taken in China raises the possibility of a new land-based J-35 prototype, but also provides more questions than it answers.

www.thedrive.com

 

[siegecrossbow]

Comparison photo. Supposedly Air Force variant on top and Naval variant on bottom.

Personally I still think it is too blurry to tell, but we’ll see.

 

[Trident]

Seems plausible. Pretty sure the top one has a single wheel nose landing gear and a smaller wing (possibly with different TE devices), which checks out.

 

[FighterJock]

Top photo definitely is the PLAAF variant, with the bottom photo being the PLAN variant with the re-enforced nose undercarriage.

 

[Deino]

Top photo definitely is the PLAAF variant, with the bottom photo being the PLAN variant with the re-enforced nose undercarriage.

I agree it looks like, but how likely is it, this is only the V2 demonstrator?

I must admit I’m still so much unsure…

 

[FighterJock]

That was the same with me Deino the blurred photo does not help much either, I wish that there was another much clearer photo out there in the Internet to clarify what we are seeing.

 

[Trident]

I agree it looks like, but how likely is it, this is only the V2 demonstrator?

I must admit I’m still so much unsure…

The demonstrators had twin nose wheels, didn't they?

 

[siegecrossbow]

I agree it looks like, but how likely is it, this is only the V2 demonstrator?

I must admit I’m still so much unsure…

It can’t be the V2 demonstrator. Look how thick the neck is.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Luneburg lens attached.