f-35 for third world
Chinese media touts fifth-gen J-31 as F-35 competitor - IHS Jane's 360
A state-controlled media outlet in China has been talking up the capabilities of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's new fifth-generation fighter, referring to the aircraft as the 'J-31' and claiming it will rival the US-designed Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in future markets.
Although labelled as 'opinion', an article that appeared on a new and expanded portal on People's Daily Online on 29 August asserted that the "excellent performance" of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's new fifth-generation fighter (called fourth-generation by the Chinese) would make it a "strong competitor" to the F-35. This conclusion, the article states, comes only after this fighter has "carried out more than three sets of flight trials at rapidly increasing frequency". Its first flight on 31 October 2012 was not covered by state media but was revealed in a semi-controlled manner on the Chinese internet, similar to the revelation of the Chengdu J-20 fifth-generation fighter at the end of 2010.
Due to pervasive state secrecy, the Chinese internet is awash in all manner of speculation about the Chinese military, so it is noteworthy when a key state-controlled media outlet offers new details about an otherwise well-concealed weapon programme.
The article goes on to adopt the designator 'J-31'. This has not been employed by any Chinese aviation or government officials, who have stressed that the fighter is currently not funded by the Chinese military but by the Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) consortium. It then reveals that the J-31's performance compares "favourably" with the F-35, but asserts that "in payload the J-31 will prevail over the F-35".
Unnamed sources claim the future 'WS-13' turbofan - another designation not used officially -would be more powerful than the Russian Klimov RD-93 that currently powers the J-31. The article cites "test pilot expert Xu Yongling, [who] points out that the J-31's stealth aerodynamic design, stealth engine design and stealth coating design have all reached internationally advanced standards in stealth technology". It also hints that Shenyang might develop a short take-off and vertical landing version, mirroring the capabilities of the F-35B, while stating that the J-31 "cannot do this for the time being". The article also mentions that its chief designer, Sun Cong, earlier this year had suggested that an improved version could become China's next carrier-based fighter and serve with the Shenyang J-15.
Citing unnamed 'experts', the article concludes that the J-31 "will make rapid inroads in the international market in the future and will undoubtedly steal the limelight from the F-35. China's fourth-generation aircraft will become the new option for those countries that have not yet made the decision to purchase the F-35. In particular for those countries which are excluded from access to US arms exports, China's fourth-generation aircraft will certainly be attractive. The J-31 ... represents a serious threat to US arms manufacturers."
It remains to be seen whether Chinese aviation industry officials will explain these claims at future arms exhibitions. At the November 2012 Zhuhai Airshow officials did release basic ordinal performance data about the J-31 but no information concerning its future engine, electronic, weapon or stealth systems.
In recent years Chinese officials have only provided substantial details in relation to one fighter programme, when Chengdu Aircraft Corporation Chief Designer Yang Wei led a briefing about the FC-1/JF-17 fighter at the November 2011 Dubai Airshow, eight years after its first flight in 2003.
At the recent Paris Airshow in July a Chinese official told IHS Jane's that a new military programme would be revealed at the next Dubai show, but declined to provide specifics.
f-35 for third world
http://www.janes.com/article/26546/chinese-media-touts-fifth-gen-j-31-as-f-35-competitor
A state-controlled media outlet in China has been talking up the capabilities of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's new fifth-generation fighter, referring to the aircraft as the 'J-31' and claiming it will rival the US-designed Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in future markets.
Although labelled as 'opinion', an article that appeared on a new and expanded portal on People's Daily Online on 29 August asserted that the "excellent performance" of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's new fifth-generation fighter (called fourth-generation by the Chinese) would make it a "strong competitor" to the F-35. This conclusion, the article states, comes only after this fighter has "carried out more than three sets of flight trials at rapidly increasing frequency". Its first flight on 31 October 2012 was not covered by state media but was revealed in a semi-controlled manner on the Chinese internet, similar to the revelation of the Chengdu J-20 fifth-generation fighter at the end of 2010.
Due to pervasive state secrecy, the Chinese internet is awash in all manner of speculation about the Chinese military, so it is noteworthy when a key state-controlled media outlet offers new details about an otherwise well-concealed weapon programme.
The article goes on to adopt the designator 'J-31'. This has not been employed by any Chinese aviation or government officials, who have stressed that the fighter is currently not funded by the Chinese military but by the Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) consortium. It then reveals that the J-31's performance compares "favourably" with the F-35, but asserts that "in payload the J-31 will prevail over the F-35".
Unnamed sources claim the future 'WS-13' turbofan - another designation not used officially -would be more powerful than the Russian Klimov RD-93 that currently powers the J-31. The article cites "test pilot expert Xu Yongling, [who] points out that the J-31's stealth aerodynamic design, stealth engine design and stealth coating design have all reached internationally advanced standards in stealth technology". It also hints that Shenyang might develop a short take-off and vertical landing version, mirroring the capabilities of the F-35B, while stating that the J-31 "cannot do this for the time being". The article also mentions that its chief designer, Sun Cong, earlier this year had suggested that an improved version could become China's next carrier-based fighter and serve with the Shenyang J-15.
Citing unnamed 'experts', the article concludes that the J-31 "will make rapid inroads in the international market in the future and will undoubtedly steal the limelight from the F-35. China's fourth-generation aircraft will become the new option for those countries that have not yet made the decision to purchase the F-35. In particular for those countries which are excluded from access to US arms exports, China's fourth-generation aircraft will certainly be attractive. The J-31 ... represents a serious threat to US arms manufacturers."
It remains to be seen whether Chinese aviation industry officials will explain these claims at future arms exhibitions. At the November 2012 Zhuhai Airshow officials did release basic ordinal performance data about the J-31 but no information concerning its future engine, electronic, weapon or stealth systems.
In recent years Chinese officials have only provided substantial details in relation to one fighter programme, when Chengdu Aircraft Corporation Chief Designer Yang Wei led a briefing about the FC-1/JF-17 fighter at the November 2011 Dubai Airshow, eight years after its first flight in 2003.
At the recent Paris Airshow in July a Chinese official told IHS Jane's that a new military programme would be revealed at the next Dubai show, but declined to provide specifics.