Since 2012, Chinese aircraft manufacturers from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation have been conducting flight tests of the promising FC-31 fighter. This aircraft is developing and improving, but its future is still unknown. The situation may change in the near future. The latest news shows that the project is getting the support it needs and is moving into important new stages.
In the process of development
The SAC Corporation developed the FC-31 on its own initiative, without ordering and support from the Air Force or the PLA Navy. This significantly influenced the course of work and predetermined the future of the project. However, in 2018 it became known that the project received state support, moreover, from the air and naval forces at the same time.
About a year ago, foreign media reported on the development of a new modification of the FC-31, which has a number of characteristic differences and more fully meets the requirements of the PLA. This version of the aircraft is often featured in the news under the designation J-35. Whether such a name is used at the official level is unknown.
It was believed that the FC-31 was designed for aircraft carriers. The exhibitions featured mock-ups of the deck version of such an aircraft, incl. together with the ship model. Later, information appeared about the support of the project by the Chinese fleet. Recently, interesting new information about the current work on the fighter was published, directly confirming the carrier-based future of the fighter.
Several photographs of an airbase near Wuhan, where a full-size model of an aircraft carrier was built, have become freely available. The photo captures almost the entire range of Chinese-designed carrier-based aircraft, and in addition, the newest FC-31 fighter or its mock-up is seen on the "concrete ship" for the first time.
The shooting date is unknown. Foreign media outlets and blogs note that the photographs could have been taken no earlier than spring or summer 2019 - during this period, previous photographs of the "aircraft carrier" and its aviation group were published, and the FC-31 was absent from them. It is unclear what kind of events the aircraft of the new type is taking part in. However, this does not prevent the emergence of the most daring assumptions and forecasts.
Attempts to analyze
Unfortunately, the new photos were taken from a long distance and therefore are not of high quality. In addition, a promising aircraft or its mock-up is present in only one image. Nevertheless, and this speaks volumes. At the very least, this allows you to understand the current stage of work.
At the same time, several aircraft on the deck of the "aircraft carrier" were captured in the frame. The promising FC-31 or J-35 at the time of shooting was standing next to the superstructure, bow to stern. In front of him, closer to the bow of the "ship", there was a kind of canopy. Not far from the plane were placed two fighters and one helicopter of well-known types - they were placed across the deck.
Apparently, the aircraft was captured during a break in tests or other events. Such an arrangement excludes the possibility of performing training take-offs or landings. However, naval specialists could work out the features of the basing and operation of equipment on an aircraft carrier. In particular, these could be experiments with aircraft towing and mooring, simulating procedures before departure and after landing.
You can also make a global conclusion. Judging by the presence of the FC-31 or J-35 on the "concrete aircraft carrier", the PLA Navy is seriously interested in the new aircraft from SAC and intend to conduct a full range of tests, including operational ones. Such tests will determine the possibility of using new technology in carrier-based aircraft; also the corporation-developer should issue a list of recommended improvements.
After correcting the identified deficiencies and confirming all characteristics, the new FC-31 / J-35 can receive a recommendation for adoption. However, a negative outcome cannot be ruled out. The aircraft was developed on an initiative basis, without a technical assignment for the Navy. As a result, it may not meet all the wishes and requirements of the fleet, and the feasibility of redesigning the project requires a separate study.
Technical Advantages
SAC FC-31 is positioned as a 5th generation multipurpose fighter with high tactical and technical characteristics and the ability to use a variety of weapons. At the same time, the exact parameters and capabilities of the machine were not officially announced, and well-known foreign estimates may not correspond to reality.
The J-35 or FC-31 has a length of about 18 m with a wingspan of more than 11 m. Maximum take-off weight is estimated at 25-28 tons. The aircraft is equipped with two WS-19 afterburner turbojet engines allowing a speed of 2000-2200 km / h … The fighter has a distinctive appearance showing the use of stealth technology and reduced signature across all spectra. Some solutions and assemblies typical for carrier-based aircraft are envisaged.
It is believed that the FC-31 carries a modern airborne radar with an active phased array and has an OLS. The presence of a defense complex is assumed, the sensors of which are distributed throughout the airframe. The aircraft can carry up to 8 tons of weapons; about 2 tons are placed in the inner compartment. The range of weapons should include all modern missiles and guided bombs of Chinese design.
It should be noted that the development of the project continues to this day and leads to various changes. To date, at least 2-3 experimental aircraft have been built and, as the available photographs show, they have some external differences. Probably, the internal equipment of the equipment also changes, which affects the characteristics and potential.
Aircraft for the Navy
The current state of affairs and prospects of the FC-31 aircraft are still unknown, and the developer and customer are in no hurry to clarify them. Breaking through individual information, in turn, demonstrates the implementation of some work that can have the most interesting result.
It is known and confirmed that the FC-31 / J-35 project is no longer an initiative development of SAC, and now the work is carried out with the help and under the supervision of real customers in the person of the Air Force and the Navy. Moreover, in the interests of the fleet, some tests are already being carried out aimed at working out the operation of equipment on an aircraft carrier. In this regard, it cannot be ruled out that in the near future, the newest fighter, having undergone the necessary modifications, will be adopted by the naval aviation.
It should be noted that the FC-31 really has a good chance of entering service and is of real interest to the Navy. Its prospects are determined by both the general level of performance and the achieved potential, and the specific state of the carrier-based aircraft of the PLA Navy.
Right now, China is building its third aircraft carrier, which will soon need planes and helicopters of different classes. The basis of carrier-based aviation at the moment is the 4th generation J-15 fighters. This Chinese aircraft dates back to the Soviet Su-27 and Su-33, which limits the potential for its further development. Obviously, in the future, the J-15 will have to be supplemented and then replaced by the next generation technology.
At the moment, only one Chinese fighter of the 5th generation, suitable for operation on an aircraft carrier, is reliably known - this is the FC-31 or J-35. If there are other projects of this class, they have not yet been disclosed, and their implementation will take time. Accordingly, the FC-31 is in a more advantageous position and has every chance to advance further and even go into service. The processes preceding the beginning of operation in the troops can be observed right now.
The situation is clearing up
Thus, one of the Chinese projects of the next generation fighter, developed by SAC on its own initiative, received the support of the armed forces, and with it the chances of a successful completion. At the same time, the PLA Navy gets a real opportunity to upgrade carrier-based aircraft and begin the transition to the 5th generation.
It should be noted that China, unlike other countries, carries out work with the observance of secrecy and does not boast of every new step in promising programs. In addition, the language barrier hinders the spread. However, from time to time, official reports are published, there are rumors and leaks. Despite the limited scope, all these factors provide a fairly detailed picture. How much it corresponds to reality will become known later, when the PLA makes and announces a decision on the future of the new aircraft.
