SAC FC-31 Stealth Fighter: News & Discussions

[Maxpane]

I think it is much too early to know. We now have after years of rumors only now got some harder facts. Anyway this could mean anything: was it cancelled and thrrefore allowed to be leaked? Or is it. Lose to a certain milestone? ...

And - honestly - why mentioning the PAF? If they can get the FC31 they could be lucky but a stealthy striker is at leat for the moment as likely as the German Luftwaffe will have a functioning air force again.

Thank you sir

 

[Deino]

FC-31V1 showing its weapon bays ... no smaller side bays !

 

[LKJ86]

FC-31V1 showing its weapon bays ... no smaller side bays !

View attachment 471676

Is there anything new?

 

[Ultima Thule]

Is there anything new?

No just telling @Gomig-21 that there are no side bays on FC-31V2 @LKJ86 bro

 

[LKJ86]

No just telling @Gomig-21 that there are no side bays on FC-31V2 @LKJ86 bro

Thanks, bro.

 

[帅的一匹]

From weibo, one of the photo in the photobook.

What is that thing behind the rack? A stealthy bomber?

 

[Ultima Thule]

What is that thing behind the rack? A stealthy bomber?

Where can tell me sir @wanglaokan

 

[帅的一匹]

Where can tell me sir @wanglaokan

I am also eager to know....

 

[Gomig-21]

No just telling @Gomig-21 that there are no side bays on FC-31V2 @LKJ86 bro

Indeed, bro. Side walls beyond the divertless intakes seem rather thin to be able to house a bay deep enough for a missile or two. BUT............but......that was V1 not V2!

If there were a few pretty radical changes from V1 to V2, then there still is the possibility, although unlikely.
Too bad the interior of the intakes are shaded and we can't see the shape of the ducting. I bet that they angle drastically, at least certainly upward to make room for the belly weapons bay and also eventually to the center of the fuselage to make room for the landing gear wheels. All those things have to go into that area as well, so the ducting needs to S-shape rather drastically for not only RCS reduction, but out of necessity to make room for the LG and the weapons bay.

This is an interesting pic showing some of what's inside those side, access panels.

The other reason why I asked if there was another weapons bay is that a single, belly one can only house so many weapons. It needs more bays to carry more weapons like both, the F-35, F-22 and J-20. But it seems to have rather long, very long belly bay doors. Not sure what that means, if weapons will be stacked front and rear like the PAK-FA but withing a single bay. PAK-FA has forward and aft doors, so two separate bays while the FC-31V2 has this single, VERY long weapons bay.

The other remarkable thing is how close the front of the doors are to the intake openings. That definitely suggest the duct ramps up drastically from the intake opening.

 

[samsara]

Just a kind reminder to ALL here who spoke aloud and in adamant fashion previously, even annoying repetitively, acted as the kind of guy who knows everything, please stay away from such bold, excessive speculative, groundless imposition [in future, incl for other issues]... that J-31 / FC-31 would see DEAD END (unless it finds export customer) ... maintaining some humility doesn't hurt indeed

Xi Jinping and FC-31

https://twitter.com/x/status/992076325367287808

 

[LKJ86]

 

[LKJ86]

 

[LKJ86]

Published on November, 2013

 

[ozranger]

The release of those photos strongly suggests that FC-31 development has approached its end.

 

[Deino]

The release of those photos strongly suggests that FC-31 development has approached its end.

Or just the start into another lease of life!?