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Fifth-generation jet fighter under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Shenyang J-35 is a series of Chinese twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), designed for air superiority and surface strike missions. The aircraft reportedly has two variants, a land-based variant designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), and a carrier-based variant optimized for catapult-assisted takeoff (CATOBAR) for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).
 | This article needs to be updated. (November 2024) |
| Shenyang J-35 | |
|---|---|
| |
| J-35A at 2024 Zhuhai Air Show. | |
| Role | Multirole stealth fighter |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Shenyang Aircraft Corporation |
| Design group | 601st Design Institute |
| First flight | 31 October 2012 (FC-31)[1] 29 October 2021 (J-35)[2] 26 September 2023 (J-35A)[3] |
| Status | Flight testing |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force |
| Produced | 2012–2016 (FC-31) 2020–present (J-35) |
| Developed from | Shenyang FC-31 |
The aircraft is developed from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon (Chinese: 鹘鹰; pinyin: Gǔ yīng),[4][5][6][7][8] a stealth aircraft prototype that serves as a demonstrator aiming to secure potential export customers after SAC lost the J-XX bid to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The prototype had often been referred as J-31,[note 1] F-60, J-21, Snowy Owl or Falcon Hawk in various media reports.[10][11][12][13][14] The fighter initially does not feature the J-XX nomenclatures, as such names are reserved for programs launched and financed by the military, while the FC-31 was developed independently as a privately funded venture by SAC.[15][16] The original FC-31 prototype made its maiden flight on October 31, 2012.[1]
The People's Liberation Army, particularly the PLA Navy, later took an interest in the FC-31 project, leading to the prototype being further developed with a catapult launch bar and folding wings, and the revised variant took flight on 29 October 2021.[2] The land-based variant emerged in 2023[3][17] and was officially debuted ahead of the 2024 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, receiving the designation J-35A.[18] The introduction of the J-35 would make it the second Chinese fifth-generation fighter (after the Chengdu J-20) and China the only country other than the United States to equip two types of stealth fighters.[19][20]
While the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter was officially endorsed by the PLAAF after Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal won the PLAAF bid for the next-generation jet fighter,[21] Shenyang Aircraft Corporation pressed on and developed a private project aiming to secure potential export customers.[15]
In September 2011, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation presented the scale model of the FC-31, dubbed the "F-60" at an innovation competition held in Beijing.[22][23]
In June 2012, a partially assembled F-60 was photographed in a police-escorted road transit through a national highway atop a truck and trailer, with its airframe heavily overwrapped by camouflage covering (which led to netizens nicknaming it the "zongzi plane"). Initially, military observers speculated the subject in transit was the Hongdu JL-10 trainer aircraft.[24] A few days later, pictures of a fully assembled fighter aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on the internet, with the new aircraft displaying stealth characteristics, the registration number "31001" on the front fuselage.[23] Military observers gave temporary names to the aircraft, such as J-21, J-31, or F-60. Several features were also noted, such as the more conventional airframe design with trapezoidal wings (instead of the canard-delta configuration of the Chengdu J-20) and twin nose wheels,[23][25] leading to the speculation that F-60 could become a carrier-borne aircraft in the future.[26]
On 31 October 2012, The first prototype made its maiden flight, accompanied by a J-11 serving as the chase aircraft.[27]
In November 2012, The aircraft was officially revealed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012, with the designation Shenyang FC-31, following Chinese export fighter terminology and aircraft such as FC-1 and FC-20.[23] A scale model of the FC-31 was displayed inside the exhibition hull.[28]
_at_the_2014_Zhuhai_Air_Show.jpg)
On 12 November 2014, the FC-31 prototype performed its first public flight demonstration at Zhuhai Airshow 2014.[29][30][31] The prototype was fitted with two Klimov RD-93 engines. Reuben Johnson of Aviation International News noted the prototype was not optimized in its flight performance. The author also noted that another model with modified details was displayed inside the exhibition hall.[32]
In 2015, the FC-31 model was displayed first time at a foreign military trade expo, at Dubai Airshow. AVIC official told Aviation Week that the company was pushing the aircraft for export while negotiating with the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army for further development. Some additional details were given by the FC-31's designer, including its stealth capabilities, payload, and operational range.[33][34] The aircraft was intended to serve as a competitor to the Lockheed Martin F-35 on the export market, especially for countries which cannot join the F-35 program or afford the American fighter.[35][36][37][38][39]
There were also persistent rumors of the FC-31 being developed into a carrier-based naval fighter. In 2015, the FC-31's chief designer Sun Cong suggested that FC-31 would succeed Shenyang J-15 in operating on China's aircraft carriers.[29][40][41]
In 2015, Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company marketed its EOTS-86 infra-red search and track as a possible addition to the FC-31.[42]
In November 2016, AVIC released a promotional video of an FC-31 prototype, displaying the refinement in construction quality from earlier prototypes.[43]
On 23 December 2016, the second prototype of the FC-31 took flight.[39][23] The second prototype features several revisions and upgrades to the aircraft design.[39] The inefficient RD-93 engine was replaced by two smokeless WS-13E engines, the canopy was changed from the two-piece design to a reinforced single-piece glass, and the control surface configuration was overhauled, now with clipped and swept vertical tails instead of the trapezoid tails. Other improvements included modifications to the vertical stabilizers, wings, and airframe, an electro-optical targeting system, a larger payload, improvements in stealth, and upgraded electronics.[44][45] This airframe was eventually painted in low-visibility color with pennant number '31003', leading to speculations of an unseen static test prototype being the '31002'.[23] This prototype was not featured in the Zhuhai Airshow of 2016.[46] Still, a cockpit model with a sidestick controller, multifunctional touchscreen displays, and a heads-up display was showcased in the AVIC booth.[46]
The real '31001' prototype aircraft was displayed on the ground in Shenyang, China in 2016.[47] It was displayed again at Zhuhai Airshow 2018, implying China no longer deemed first prototype sensitive technologically.[48]
On 21 November 2018, the Aviation Week reported that People's Liberation Army (PLA) has taken interest in the Shenyang FC-31.[49]
In June 2020, the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, the research wing of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), announced that a "new fighter" is under development and will make its maiden flight in 2021. This "new fighter" was theorized by media and military analysts as the navalized version of the Shenyang FC-31.[50][51] Due to the lack of an official announcement, military analysis hypothetically designated this variant as 'J-35' or 'J-XY'.[23] New reports indicated that the new variant would feature a bigger radome, navalized functions, and different alignments of control surfaces to reduce the radar signature.[52][53]
In June 2021, a mock-up of the FC-31 (J-35) prototype was spotted parked on top of China's carrier test facility, which simulates the flight deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier.[54] Analysts believe the J-35 could serve in China's future Type 003 aircraft carrier, as well as launched with ski-jump on China's older carriers, complementing the fleet of Shenyang J-15.[55] In July 2021, a static FC-31 with opened weapons bay was displayed inside the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation Expo Park. Analysts noted the similarity of the weapons bay dimension between Chengdu J-20 and FC-31, which means the fighter could accommodate PL-15 missiles and other armaments in similar quantities.[56]
On 29 October 2021, the modified carrier-based variant of the FC-31, tentatively named J-35, conducted its maiden flight.[57][58] This new prototype, in blue-green primer paint, features a major redesign. A catapult launch bar and folding wing mechanisms were added, intended for operating on the Type 003 aircraft carrier with its electromagnetic catapult system. A chin-mounted sensor turret, similar to the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) on F-35, is featured.[2] The canopy was modified, blending in with the upper fuselage, allowing for more internal fuel load, aerodynamic advantages, and potential to mount sensors behind the cockpit.[59] The overall shape of the first J-35 prototype indicated a developmental lineage from the second prototype of the FC-31.[2][60]
On 22 July 2022, the J-35 prototype '350003' was spotted by military analysts. This new prototype was reportedly the second flying prototype and the third overall prototype of the navalized J-35 variant. The new prototype was also painted in the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) grey camouflage, with the PLAN's 'flying shark' logo visible on its vertical stabilizers. The '350003' features sawtooth edges for compartment panels, seamless exteriors, and new engines, reportedly WS-21 or WS-13X, which is a further development of the WS-13E mounted on the second prototype of the FC-31. This engine is fitted with pronounced, serrated exhaust nozzles, helping to reduce rearward radar and infrared signatures.[61][62] A video of the prototype flying was recorded on the same day.[63]
In March 2023, the People's Liberation Army Navy released a recruitment video, teasing about the service's future carrier aircraft, which included a rough outline of the FC-31.[64][65]
In August 2023, a J-35 prototype was spotted test flying with landing gear extended in China.[66] On 8 December 2023, a mock-up of the J-35 was spotted on the deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier, which was recently launched and preparing for sea trials at her homeport.[67]
On 26 September 2023, the land-based variant of the J-35, tentatively named the J-31 by defense analysts, made its first flight. The land-based variant was distinguished by its smaller wing surface area, single nose wheel, and non-clipped wings, different from the earlier J-35 prototype.[3][17][68]
On 13 February 2024, a full-size mockup of the navalized J-35 fighter was spotted aboard China's aircraft carrier Liaoning, under evaluation for potential use on the aircraft deck. The test of the J-35 on Liaoning signified that the fighter is intended to operate not only on catapult-equipped Type 003 but also the older ski-jump (STOBAR) carriers. Analysts also believed the smaller size and lighter weight of the J-35 can provide operational advantages on the Liaoning and Shandong.[69] A few days later on 29 February 2024, the Liaoning embarked to the sea, carrying the J-35 mock-up for further testing.[70] On 13 March 2024, military analysts noted the third flying prototype of the J-35 testing near Shenyang's facilities.[71]
On 5 November 2024, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) officially announced the J-35A, the air force variant of the J-35, would attend the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024 held in the same month.[72][73] The close-up photograph of the J-35A showcased by the PLAAF was painted in grey paint with the Air Force's roundel, and confirms the differences with earlier naval J-35 on wing size, nose wheel, and vertical stabilizer design.[18] On 12 November 2024, the J-35A conducted its first public flight performance at the Zhuhai Airshow.[74][75][76][77]
_at_2014_Zhuhai_Air_Show.jpg)
The Shenyang J-35 development program was initiated as the Shenyang FC-31 project, an export-oriented demonstrator funded by private ventures. There were constant revisions between the prototypes and the later models supported by the Chinese military as different parties had divergent demands and requirements. The navalized J-35 and land-based J-35A were also developed in parallel with different missions and roles, corresponding to their intended operational environment.[23][61][78] In total, there were four notable variants of the FC-31/J-35 development cycle, including the first flying prototype '31001', referred as FC-31 V1 by analysts;[23] The second flying prototype '31003', often referred as FC-31 V2;[23] and the two variants of the land- and carrier-based J-35 fighters.[61][17]
The Shenyang FC-31 is a medium-sized aircraft, smaller than the Chengdu J-20, and designed to complement the latter with a lower cost and simpler operations.[79] The twinjet aircraft features a conventional configuration with a blended body and a chiseled nose section, followed by forward-swept intake ramp, diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps, trapezoidal wings with leading/trailing-edge flaps, all-moving tail-planes, and two canted swept-back vertical stabilizers (the first prototype has triangle stabilizers) with truncated rudders (full-length rudders on the naval J-35).[80][81] The initial prototype featured a two-piece canopy, later replaced by a single-piece bubble canopy on the second prototype[23] and the clamshell-type canopy on the J-35 variants.[81]
The FC-31 prototype has a twin-wheel nose landing gear, giving provision for the fighter's navalizetion as a carrier-based fighter.[26] The twin-wheel design was late preserved in the naval Shenyang J-35 design,[59] with catapult launch bar added.[2] The naval J-35 also features handholds inside the cockpit,[82] folded wings, and a recovery tailhook to operate on the aircraft carrier.[2] On the land-based Shenyang J-35A, the wheel section is replaced by a single-wheel design,[17] and the variant also features a smaller wing area and different vertical stabilizers.[18] Though two variants have separate missions and roles, the shared platform allows easier cross-service joint operations, according to the AVIC.[78]
The FC-31 features a low-observable aircraft design, focusing on the reduction of the radar cross-section (RCS). To achieve stealth, the engine blades are hidden by the serpentine inlets (S-ducts) behind the diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI) bumps, which obscure the reflective surface of the engine from radar detection. The airframe and its internal weapons bay, compartment doors, and embedded antennas are lined with sawtooth edges and covered with radar-absorbent coating materials.[45][53][61][83] The early prototype featured simple round engine nozzles, which were redesigned on the later models with serrated edges to reduce radar and infrared signatures.[84] AVIC claims the aircraft is stealthy against L-band and Ku-band radars, and would be low-observable against many multi-spectrum sensors.[33]
The Shenyang FC-31 and Shenyang J-35 are fitted with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with a distributed aperture system (DAS)[81] serving as an optical early-warning system[80] and infrared search and track (IRST).[85] The radar advertised for the FC-31 prototype is the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A, which is reportedly similar to performance of the AN/APG-81.[80] Under the chin, the fighter is fitted with a electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) turret.[2][80] Inside the cockpit, there is a sidestick controller, a conventional heads up display, and a large single-piece multi-function touchscreen display (MFD) of 20 in × 8 in (510 mm × 200 mm) in size.[46][85][86] The pilot is also provided with a helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, comparable to that of Striker system made by BAE Systems.[80][85] The flight control system is fully digitalized, with triple redundancy modules and twin data bus.[86] The aircraft is intended to serve as a node in the network of elements with other platforms.[78]
Two prototypes of the FC-31 and the later Shenyang J-35 use different engine options. The earliest prototype is fitted with Klimov RD-93 engines.[87] The RD-93 engine was reportedly inefficient, leading to the aircraft to exhale black-colored exhausts.[32][88][89] Replacing the engine with a more efficient, indigenous choices became a priority for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).[90] The second FC-31 prototype is fitted with the domestic Guizhou WS-13E engine,[61] an improved variant of the Guizhou WS-13 that powered the JF-17, providing 92.16 kN (20,720 lbf; 9,398 kgf) of maximum thrust. The WS-13E engine is smokeless and more efficient than the RD-93.[39][23]
The further developed Shenyang J-35 is powered by the Guizhou WS-21 engine, also known as the WS-13X, a derivative and upgrade of the WS-13E.[61] The WS-21 provides 93.2 kN (21,000 lbf; 9,500 kgf) of thrust,[82] serving as an interim powerplant for the early production J-35.[61] The intended definitive powerplant for the J-35 is the Guizhou WS-19,[91] which incorporate technologies from the Xian WS-15 and is capable of providing 116 kN (26,000 lbf; 11,800 kgf) of thrust with a higher thrust-to-weight ratio.[82][92]
The FC-31 is equipped with a retractable refueling probe for inflight refueling. The aircraft can achieve a short-take off distance of 450 m (1,480 ft) and a landing distance of 700 m (2,300 ft).[86]
The Shenyang FC-31 has a lengthened centerline internal weapons bay[93] with a dimension similar to that of Chengdu J-20.[56][94] The weapons bay has six internal hardpoints. Externally, the fighter has six hardpoints on the wings. The first FC-31 prototype can reportedly carry 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) of payload in total, split between the internal carrying capabilities of 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) and external carrying capacity of 6,000 kg (13,000 lb). Under the regular combat load, the fighter has a combat radius of 648 nmi (746 mi; 1,200 km) and maximum take-off weight of 25,000 kg (55,000 lb).[33][34] On the second prototype, the maximum take-off weight is increased to 28,000 kg (62,000 lb) along with a modified fuselage.[80]
Inside the weapons bay, the FC-31 can carry six air-to-air missiles,[80][95] such as PL-10, PL-15 and PL-21.[95][96] Aside from air-superiority loadouts, the internal bay can also carry precision-strike munitions, with maximum provisions for twelve small diameter bombs, four large deep-penetration bombs of 500 kg (1,100 lb), four supersonic land-attack missiles, or four anti-radition/anti-ship missiles. Externally, the wings allow the maximum provisions of six air-to-air missiles, 18 small bombs, four large bombs of 500 kg (1,100 lb), or four land-attack missiles. Presumably, the operator can mix the combinations of armaments according to the missions.[80]
 | This article may contain an excessive amount of intricate detail that may interest only a particular audience. (November 2024) |
The FC-31 had as early as 2012 been compared to the F-22 and F-35.[97][98][93][99] In 2015, Air Power Australia said the FC-31 was closer in design to the F-22 than F-35.[97]
Following the official debut of the J35 at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, much design comparisons have been made between the plane to the F-35. Popular Mechanics said the design influence of the F-35 on the FC-31, while evident, could only go so far as the J35 "differed substantially in having two engines and a much leaner fuselage" and that physics compelled many modern stealth fighters (such as South Korea's Kf-21 and Turkey’s Kaan jet) to share a similar geometry to the F-35. Performance-wise, the article quoted Shenyang's specifications of its Gyrfalcon prototypes (maximum speed of Mach 1.8, a service ceiling of 52,000 feet, a combat radius of 750 miles before factoring in air-to-air refueling, armament payload of six air-to-air missiles, four air-to-surface missiles, half-ton bombs in an internal weapons bay and an option of carrying six more underwing weapons if the plane forsook stealth) and said "these stats—which likely aren’t representative of fully-outfitted production models—appear to be on par with or like a slight improvement on the F-35’s characteristics." However, the article noted that the F-35’s strengths were "on the inside—its radar-absorbent materials as well as sensors, communications systems, and networked computers" and said whether the J35 could match those strengths remained unclear.[53]
Writing for the War Zone, Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway said "while there is no doubt that China has obtained classified data on a range of sensitive Western military programs, and the F-35 program in particular, it doesn’t mean the jet was ‘copied.’ In fact, China cannot ‘copy’ the F-35, it is one of the world’s most complex machines. It can emulate its overall design and knock-off components and certain technologies that it can reproduce and has the data to do so, but the idea that it is a direct copy is blatantly false and a common trope when it comes to comparing foreign military hardware with U.S. designs." The writers noted critical differences exist between the two planes, such as the J35's twin-engines compared to the F-35’s large single turbofan engine. They said the lack of a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) requirement for the J-35 meant it was sleeker and more slender than the F-35, although it also raised questions "about its internal fuel capacity and its range, as well as the available volume for internal stores." Similarities which they noted included the planes's electro-optical targeting systems, wide-angle head-up displays in the cockpit and radar-reflective Luneburg lens below the fuselage.[18]
The prototype conducted a high-speed taxiing test and briefly became airborne. On 31 October 2012, prototype No. 31001 conducted the model's maiden flight.[11][100][101] It was accompanied by two J-11 fighters in a ten-minute test flight with its landing gear lowered.
With the maiden test flight of prototype No.31001 on 30 October 2012, China became the second nation after the United States to have two stealth fighter designs in field testing at the same time.[100] The aircraft has continued a limited test program, with footage emerging of further flights that took place in February 2013.[102]
On 23 December 2016, the second prototype of the FC-31, No. 31003, took its maiden flight.[23]
U.S. military and industry officials believe that once the FC-31 enters service, it will likely be more than a match for existing fourth-generation fighters like the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. They suggest that the capability of the FC-31 against the newest fighters, such as the U.S. F-22 and F-35, would depend on factors such as quantity of the platforms, quality of pilots, and capabilities of radars and other sensors.[106] Western commentaries also focus on the export potential of the aircraft, suggesting that the FC-31 could be attractive to countries which cannot afford the American fighters or face Western export restrictions.[74][76][77]
Regional rivals, including India (HAL AMCA) and Japan (Mitsubishi F-X), were pursuing their own programs to develop fifth and sixth generation fighters to counter China's developments, while some of China's other neighbors are considering purchase of the F-35 or Su-57 to foster their capabilities.[107][108][109][110]
In April 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported that computer spies, allegedly Chinese, had penetrated the database of the Joint Strike Fighter program and acquired terabytes of secret information.[111] Some experts alleged China to have incorporated the stolen knowledge into the FC-31.[112][113] However, Defense acquisitions chief Frank Kendall told a Senate hearing that he is confident classified information related to the development of the F-35 was well-protected but he is not confident that unclassified information is as well-protected. He claimed these data may only help the U.S. rivals to speed up their own fifth-generation fighter projects and save costs of development.[114] In 2012, Vladimir Barkovsky of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has stated that, despite some design flaws, the FC-31 "looks like a good machine." Although it contains features already in use on the U.S. fifth-generation fighter designs, it is "not a copy but a well done indigenous design."[115] According to an opinion piece published in The Diplomat by Rick Joe, stealth shaping is a much more universal and consistent trait that leaves limited room for variety, and that future international designs will likely reflect this.[116]
In January 2024, Pakistan announced its intent to acquire the FC-31 aircraft.[117][118]
On 3 August 2024, Pakistan's news source reported that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots are currently undergoing training on the Chinese FC-31 stealth fighter aircraft in China. The news of pilot training on the FC-31 itself, however, suggests that Pakistan may be considering acquiring the more advanced J-35 variant, rather than just its export counterpart.[119]
In 2024, Egypt is in talks with China to potentially buy FC-31 fighter jets.[120]
The aircraft is under development, these specifications are approximate and preliminary.
Data from Aviation Industry Corporation of China,[86] Aviation Week,[121] Flight Global[122] unless otherwise attributed
General characteristics
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