SAC FC-31 Stealth Fighter: News & Discussions

[Oracle]

I think it's cancelled or a tech demonstrator.

nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Akasa]

nooooooooooooooooooo

Word is that the improved prototype is going to make its first flight in 2015.

 

[Akasa]

Update: Pakistan's Air Force Chief has confirmed in a presentation that the J-31 will be Pakistan's next-generation fighter plane.

By the way, @cirr, any idea when the improved FC-31 will make its first flight?

 

[HRK]

Update: Pakistan's Air Force Chief has confirmed in a presentation that the J-31 will be Pakistan's next-generation fighter plane.

By the way, @cirr, any idea when the improved FC-31 will make its first flight?

any source ..... ??? its a great news 'if' true

 

[Akasa]

any source ..... ??? its a great news 'if' true

There's a multi-page thread in the PAF section.

 

[Akasa]

EDIT: disregard the previous post.

It seems that the PAF Chief was simply offered a presentation on the J-31; any prospects of a PAF purchase is still up in the air.

 

[Akasa]

It seems that SAC has offered a model to the PAF Chief.

A few updates on the capabilities:
- it is network-centric-capable and can direct groups of UAVs, which will have surveillance, battle assessment, and air/ground attack capability
- it will have a flight computer that will fly the plane while the pilot concentrates on combat

But, @cirr , when will the prototype roll out?

 

[krash]

Actually, are there any details regarding the expected appearance of the improved variant?

AVIC did display a large scale model of the expected FC-31 at the last Zhuhai Airshow (the pics were posted here). I believe this is what you are looking for,

The clipped wings and tail is very F-22-ish, makes it look prettier.

 

[siegecrossbow]

AVIC did display a large scale model of the expected FC-31 at the last Zhuhai Airshow (the pics were posted here). I believe this is what you are looking for,

The clipped wings and tail is very F-22-ish, makes it look prettier.

I thought the modified tail made it more F-35ish.

 

[krash]

I thought the modified tail made it more F-35ish.

The slanted vertical stabilizers are F-35ish but with clipped corners while the current vertical stabilizers are F-22ish true. But the clipped corners of the wings (giving them 4 edges each) and horizontal stabilizers (giving them 5 edges each) are F-22ish, while the F-35 has sharp corners (3 edges and 4 edges on each wing and horizontal stabilizer, respectively). Interestingly neither of the two has clipped vertical stabilizers, unlike the FC-31.

Similar clipped corners in red and dissimilar sharp edges in green,

 

[mil-avia]

Japanese publication cover showing J-31 fighter :

841 × 1200 pixels


Related link(s).

 

[Deino]

Japanese publication cover showing J-31 fighter :

View attachment 237628
841 × 1200 pixels


Related link(s).

Interesting !!!

By the way are there any new images of Japan's current F-3 configurations 25DMU, since it seems as if there is a report on that type also in this issue?

Deino

 

[j20blackdragon]

Beijing tech show highlights advances in Chinese fighter sensors

Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
16 July 2015

A-Star's EOTS-86 appears to be similar to the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) that equips the Lockheed Martin F-35. (Via Top81 web page)

China's Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company (A-Star) used the first Beijing exhibition promoting "civil-military integration" to reveal new combat aircraft electro-optical systems, some of which may be slated for the country's fifth-generation fighters.

A-Star's booth featured images of a Shenyang Aircraft Corporation J-31 fifth-generation export fighter to highlight two electro-optical systems, although it is not clear that A-Star's systems will equip future developments of this fighter, revealed as the FC-31 at the November 2014 Zhuhai Air Show.

A-Star's EORD-31 appears to be a conventional infrared search and tracking (IRST) system but with a faceted sensor dome; and the claimed ability to detect a F-22. (Via Top81 web page)

The EOTS-89 resembles the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) of the Lockheed Martin F-35, which combines Forward Looking Infrared and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) capabilities.

Beijing tech show highlights advances in Chinese fighter sensors - IHS Jane's 360

 

[Martian2]

Here's a point-by-point comparison of frontal RCS for J-31 vs. F-22

Transparent RAM-coated cockpit canopy: J-31 and F-22. Tie.
Continuous curvature upper radome. J-31 and F-22. Tie.
Faceted lower radome. J-31 and F-22. Tie.
DSI (diverterless supersonic inlet). J-31 only. This means J-31 is stealthier.
J-31 is physically smaller. This means J-31 is stealthier. Less area to reflect radar waves.

In evaluating the frontal RCS of the J-31 and F-22 in X-band, the J-31 is stealthier than the F-22 in two categories and ties in three categories. The J-31 has DSI that blocks radar waves from entering the air intakes and reflecting. Thus, the frontal RCS of the J-31 must be marble-sized or smaller.

 

[cirr]

FC-31 first seen under assembly？

Screen grabs of CCTV programme about AVIC aired last night