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Shenyang FC-31

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FC-31 Gyrfalcon
FC-31 prototype at 2014China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition
Role Stealthmultirole fighter
National origin China
Manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Design group 601 Institute
First flight 31 October 2012[1]
Status Prototype

TheShenyang FC-31Gyrfalcon(Chinese:Cốt ưng;pinyin:Gǔ yīng),[2][3][4]also known as theJ-31[5]orJ-35,[6]is a Chineseprototypemid-sizedtwinjet5th-generationfighter aircraftdeveloped byShenyang Aircraft Corporation(SAC). The official nickname published by SAC is "Gyrfalcon",though it has also been referred to as the" F-60 "or" J-21Snowy Owl"(Chinese:Tuyết hào) in some media reports,[7][8][9]or "Falcon Hawk" by some military enthusiasts.[10][11]J-XXnomenclatures in the Chinese military are reserved for programs launched and financed by thePeople's Liberation Army,while the FC-31 plane was developed independently as a private venture by the aircraft manufacturer.[12][13]

Development

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Origin

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While theChengdu J-20stealth fighter was officially endorsed by thePeople's Liberation Army Air ForceafterChengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal won the PLAAF bid for thenext-generation jet fighter,[14]Shenyang Aircraft Corporation pressed on and developed a private project aiming to secure potential export customers.[12]

A photo of a model labeled F-60 was posted on the Internet in September 2011.[15]In June 2012, photos andphone cameravideo clipsstarted to emerge on internet regarding a heavilyoverwrappedfighter planeairframe(widely suspected to be the F-60prototype) being road-transferred on a highway, earning the nickname "thezongziplane "(Chinese:Tống tử cơ) among Chinesenetizens,though some suspect it of merely being anL-15 trainer aircraft.[16]Pictures of a possibly fully assembled aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on 15 or 16 September 2012.[17]The F-60 is reported to be the export version, where the J-31 would be the domestic Chinese version of the same fighter.[18]Chinese aviation expert Xu Yongling has called the J-31 an export-orientedlow-end latest generation warplane.[19]

Public reveal

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A1⁄4-scale model of the J-31 was shown at theChina International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition2012, hinting at a desire to offer the aircraft for export, as an alternative for those countries that cannot purchase theF-35.[20]

The J-31 airframe was publicly unveiled on 12 November 2014 at Zhuhai Airshow.[21][22]In TV broadcast of the unveiling,AVICchairman Lin Zuoming claimed that funding for the aircraft came entirely from the company, with no input from military.[23]

As typical in flight displays of fighter jets,[citation needed]afterburners were engaged throughout the maneuvers. Nevertheless, Reuben Johnson of ainonline.com claimed it to be evidence of aerodynamic inefficiencies, concluding that the aircraft "bleeds a lot of energy and the pilot had a hard time keeping the nose up."[24]Flights were done when the jet was "clean," so results would be worse when fitted with a combat loadout. However, a large-scale model of the FC-31 on display did show some detail changes of configuration compared to the flying prototype.[24]

At the 2015Dubai Airshow,AVIC released more details regarding the aircraft's capabilities. The company revealed it is still looking for a partner in the aircraft project, and is actively marketing the aircraft toPeople's Liberation Army Air Force.AVIC's plan was to have a production model first flight by 2019.[25][26]

Design revision

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It is very likely that the J-31 will be inducted as acarrier-based naval fighter.In an interview with China's state-run media, FC-31's chief designerSun Congexpressed that the aircraft would follow hisJ-15onto China's aircraft carriers.[27]However, officials fromAVIConly said that the aircraft was intended for export as a competitor to theF-35.[28][29][30][31]There has also been reports that thePLANhas urged Shenyang to develop a carrier-compatible version of J-31.[32]

In 2015, Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company marketed its EOTS-86infra-red search and trackas a possible addition to the J-31.[33]An improved prototype, with modifications to the vertical stabilizers, wings, and airframe, an electro-optical targeting system, a larger payload, improvements in stealth, and upgraded electronics, made its maiden flight in December 2016.[34][35]

In November 2018, anAviation Weekarticle stated that the FC-31 program has received government funding and is being sought after by both thePLANAFandPLAAF,according to official sources.[36]In June 2020, reports surfaced that a third variant of FC-31, albeit a more production-ready version with smoother lines, a bigger radome for a bigger radar, and a closer alignment of control surfaces to reduce the radar signature, had been developed.[32]The "new fighter" has been referred to by some as J-35.[37]

[edit]
Navalized prototype of the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter

On October 29, 2021, the modifiedcarrier-basedvariant of the FC-31, dubbed J-35 by commentators, made its maiden flight.[38]It is intended to operate from the forthcomingType 003 aircraft carrierwith anelectromagnetic catapultsystem. The naval variant is based on the second prototype of the FC-31, but also includes a catapult launch bar and afolding wingmechanism.[39][40]

Operational history

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Flight testing

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The prototype conducted a high-speedtaxiingtest and briefly became airborne. On 31 October 2012, prototype No. 31001 conducted the model's maiden flight.[1][8][41][42][43]It was accompanied by twoJ-11fighters in a ten-minutetest flightwith its landing gear lowered.

With the maiden test flight of the prototype No.31001 on 30 October 2012, China became the second nation after the 1991Advanced Tactical Fighterfly off, to have two stealth fighter designs in field-testing at the same time.[41][42]The aircraft has continued a limited test program, with footage emerging of further flights which took place in February 2013.[44]

Design (2013–2019)

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J-31 in flight

J-31 incorporates certain stealth characteristics such as forward-sweptintake rampswithdiverterless supersonic inlet (DSI)bumps, a two-piecebubble canopy,contouredweapon baysand two obliquevertical stabilizers.

Airframe

[edit]

The J-31 is smaller than theChengdu J-20.The use of twin-wheelnose landing gearled to speculations that the J-31 may have been intended to be acarrier-basedfighter.[45][46]Bill Sweetmanhas cited several improvements to the F-35C design files the Chinese may have acquired in the J-31.[47]Analyst David Bignell argues that J-31 is rather based onF-22,due to the similarity in platform, shape, aerodynamics and airframe configuration, instead of F-35.[48]

The J-31 has two internal weapons bays that can each carry two medium-range missiles, along with two heavy hardpoints and one light hardpoint on each wing, but while it seems to have added an additional light hardpoint to each wing over the capacity of the F-35, it seems to lack the capacity of the F-35 to mount a centerline gunnery or jamming pod.[citation needed]

Officials fromAVICclaimed thatadditive manufacturingwas extensively used on the aircraft, resulting in 50% reduction in components compared to similar aircraft. However, the resulting airframe cannot be disassembled, and the static test frame had to be transported in whole as a consequence.[23]

Engines

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According to Vladimir Barkovsky ofRussian Aircraft Corporation MiG(formerly known as the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau), the engines on the prototype aircraft areRD-93s.[17][49]However, China already has an engine similar to the RD-93, theGuizhou WS-13currently installed on theJF-17which has the same thrust and size of the Russian RD-93. China is working on an improved variant named WS-13E with 100 kN (22,000 lbf) of thrust for use on the J-31. Lin Zuoming, chairman of China'sAVIC,has said that he hopes to put domestic engines on the fighter.[50]As the Chinese build up confidence in newer, more reliable and powerful domestic engines, they may be able to power the J-31 sooner than the larger J-20 and in greater numbers.[51]

Payload

[edit]

The J-31 can carry 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) of payload, with four munitions totaling 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) internally, and 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) carried on six external hardpoints; primary armaments include thePL-10short-range missile andPL-12medium-range air-to-air missile. 4PL-21missiles can also be fitted inside the J-31's internal weapons bay.[52]It has a combat radius of 648 nmi (746 mi; 1,200 km) and a maximum take-off weight of 25,000 kg (55,000 lb).[25][26]

Stealth

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The J-31 is speculated to use stealth coatings instead of "baked in" fiber-mat stealth.[53]Officials fromAVICclaim the aircraft to be stealthy against L-band and Ku-band radars, and would be low-observable against a number of multi-spectrum sensors.[25]The engine nozzles are apparently being redesigned to reduce radar and infrared signatures.[54]

Recent updates (2020-)

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Payload

[edit]

The maximum take-off weight of this J-31 increased from 25,000 kg to 28,000 kg.[55]

Engines

[edit]

Shenyang Aircraft Corporationhas officially confirmed that J-31 will eventually install theGuizhou WS-19turbofan engine,which is a fundamentally new design incorporating similar technology as the J-20'sXian WS-15,and has a maximumthrustof 10tonnes-force(98.1kN), compared to the interimWS-13whose thrust is 9 tonnes-force (88.3 kN) withafterburner.[55][56]The total thrust of the jet has been increased from 18 tons to 20 tons. The maximumcombat rangeof this jet was also extended to 1,250 km (780 mi),[55]and it can alsosupercruise.[55]

Stealth

[edit]

The J-31 is now usingstealthcoatings instead of "baked in" fiber-mat stealth.[citation needed]

Foreign reactions

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U.S. military and industry officials believe that once the J-31 enters service, it will likely be more than a match for existing fourth-generation fighters like theF-15 Eagle,F-16 Fighting Falcon,andF/A-18E/F Super Hornet.They suggest that the capability of the J-31 against the newest fighters, such as the U.S. F-22 and F-35, would depend on factors such as numbers of platforms, quality of pilots, and capabilities of radars and other sensors.[57]

India (HAL AMCA) and Japan (Mitsubishi F-X) are 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 theF-35orSu-57to foster their capabilities.[58][59][60][61]

Vladimir Barkovsky ofRussian Aircraft Corporation MiGhas stated that, despite some design flaws, the J-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."[49]

At a ceremony in January 2024, Pakistan announced its intent to acquire the J-31 aircraft.[62]

Controversy

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In April 2009, theWall Street Journalreported that computer spies, allegedly Chinese, had penetrated the database of theJoint Strike Fighter programand acquired terabytes of secret information.[63]AVICis alleged to have incorporated the stolen knowledge into the J-31.[64][65][66]

Specifications (FC-31 estimated)

[edit]

Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications—based on available imagery—are approximate and preliminary.

Data fromAviation Industry Corporation of China,[67]Aviation Week,[68]Flight Global[69]unless otherwise attributed

General characteristics

  • Crew:one (pilot)
  • Length:17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan:11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
  • Height:4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area:50 m2(540 sq ft)[70]
  • Max takeoff weight:28,000 kg (61,729 lb)[71]
  • Powerplant:2 ×WS-13afterburningturbofans,56.75 kN (12,760 lbf) thrust each dry, 87.2 kN (19,600 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed:Mach 1.8 at high altitude
    • Mach 1.14 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph) at sea level
  • Combat range:1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) on internal fuel, or 1,900 kilometres (1,200 mi) with aerial refueling
  • Service ceiling:16,000 m (52,000 ft)

Armament

Avionics

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
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