SAC FC-31 Stealth Fighter: News & Discussions

[Deino]

WS19 for fuel economy J31. Ws10 for j35?

J31 for PLAAF medium size stealth fighter. J35 for navy large fighter equivalent to F14 meant for fleet defense and high speed interceptor. J31 navalized version for PLAN for less payload interdiction mission direct challenger to F35.

Surely not ... there won't be two different types aka the regular J-31 (which simply does not exist!) and a larger upscaled J-35 with WS-10.

There will be - if these rumours are correct - only one type, namely a at best slightly enlarged, modified FC-31 powered by these WS-19s, which is then called J-35.

 

[kungfugymnast]

No one can give you a close speculative answer unless time tells us the fate of FC-31 and it’s relation with J-35 project.

J31 project will go on as it's the only new product from Shenyang team and its engine slots could be enlarged for WS10 engines in case WS19 gone bad as per military analysis. It is like economic version of J20 that could be built in large numbers and consumes less fuel to fly.

Surely not ... there won't be two different types aka the regular J-31 (which simply does not exist!) and a larger upscaled J-35 with WS-10.

There will be - if these rumours are correct - only one type, namely a at best slightly enlarged, modified FC-31 powered by these WS-19s, which is then called J-35.

Guess fuel economy is more of a concern if J35 retains the size and engines in FC31. Since carrier is mobile, they don't need larger fighter with more powerful engines apart from saving space on deck.

 

[Deino]

J31 project will go on as it's the only new product from Shenyang team and its engine slots could be enlarged for WS10 engines in case WS19 gone bad as per military analysis. It is like economic version of J20 that could be built in large numbers and consumes less fuel to fly.

....

Pardon to contradict, but the J-31 does not exist. Period.

And even the FC-31 will from all we know NOT proceed, it evolved into the J-35 if these rumours are correct and even less its engines slots could be enlarged to hold the WS-10. That is as ridiculous as to think, the JF-17 could be enlarged to hold a WS-10.

And by the way, we already too far off topic.

 

[StormBreaker]

J31 project will go on as it's the only new product from Shenyang team and its engine slots could be enlarged for WS10 engines in case WS19 gone bad as per military analysis. It is like economic version of J20 that could be built in large numbers and consumes less fuel to fly.



Guess fuel economy is more of a concern if J35 retains the size and engines in FC31. Since carrier is mobile, they don't need larger fighter with more powerful engines apart from saving space on deck.

I sincerely don’t proceed in these debates where people don’t research properly before talking, why the hell would an airframe built according to a engine of WS-13 class be used with WS-10 class engine by “juSt ENlaRgiNg inTaKEs”

No offense but aeronautics doesn’t work like that...

 

[Silicon0000]

Pardon to contradict, but the J-31 does not exist. Period.

And even the FC-31 will from all we know NOT proceed, it evolved into the J-35 if these rumours are correct and even less its engines slots could be enlarged to hold the WS-10. That is as ridiculous as to think, the JF-17 could be enlarged to hold a WS-10.

And by the way, we already too far off topic.

Some fanboy is having it's own fantasy and you are getting serious

 

[kungfugymnast]

Pardon to contradict, but the J-31 does not exist. Period.

And even the FC-31 will from all we know NOT proceed, it evolved into the J-35 if these rumours are correct and even less its engines slots could be enlarged to hold the WS-10. That is as ridiculous as to think, the JF-17 could be enlarged to hold a WS-10.

And by the way, we already too far off topic.

JF17 is small fighter already in production stage. FC31 is still in prototype, it's Shenyang precious project now for its honor as own original made rather than replica fighter. Changes could still be made as long as it has yet to enter mass production. You may take Boeing X32 project for example, they wanted to make last minute redesign after all the testing done on the X32 prototype found out disadvantage of being too small at 45 feet long without separate elevator at the aft. Unfortunate for them, it was too close to dateline and the congress picked the larger Lockheed X35 for JSF.

 

[Deino]

JF17 is small fighter already in production stage. FC31 is still in prototype, it's Shenyang precious project now for its honor as own original made rather than replica fighter. Changes could still be made as long as it has yet to enter mass production. You may take Boeing X32 project for example, they wanted to make last minute redesign after all the testing done on the X32 prototype found out disadvantage of being too small at 45 feet long without separate elevator at the aft. Unfortunate for them, it was too close to dateline and the congress picked the larger Lockheed X35 for JSF.

But honestly, You don't integrate such a dramatic change that late in a program and changing the engine would be de facto a new aircraft. As such the proposed changes from X-32 to F-32 are off. Also, you don't develop a new medium thrust engine and the develop in parallel an XL-variant of the same type. That was never done, contradicts all reports I know and would also be beyond AVIC/SAC's resources.

 

[kungfugymnast]

But honestly, You don't integrate such a dramatic change that late in a program and changing the engine would be de facto a new aircraft. As such the proposed changes from X-32 to F-32 are off. Also, you don't develop a new medium thrust engine and the develop in parallel an XL-variant of the same type. That was never done, contradicts all reports I know and would also be beyond AVIC/SAC's resources.

Changes can still be made as the cost is still bearable. Only not bearable when assembly plant started and lots of parts manufactured would go to waste. What do you personally think on the FC31? Should it stay as F35 competitor having speed of mach 1.8 with center internal bay only carrying 4 air to air or 2x air to air & 2x air to ground?

Or enlarged to over 60ft fitted with WS10B/C engines that would reduce maintenance cost since parts can be shared with J10/11/15/16, acceleration and speed increased, internal bay added 2x side for IR guided PL10, then center bay could focus fully on air to ground, air to air or mixed? TVC is available since ws10 engines are always being improved over time to complement the flankers and j10.

 

[Deino]

Changes can still be made as the cost is still bearable. Only not bearable when assembly plant started and lots of parts manufactured would go to waste. What do you personally think on the FC31? Should it stay as F35 competitor having speed of mach 1.8 with center internal bay only carrying 4 air to air or 2x air to air & 2x air to ground?

Or enlarged to over 60ft fitted with WS10B/C engines that would reduce maintenance cost since parts can be shared with J10/11/15/16, acceleration and speed increased, internal bay added 2x side for IR guided PL10, then center bay could focus fully on air to ground, air to air or mixed? TVC is available since ws10 engines are always being improved over time to complement the flankers and j10.

I think this discussion is as moot as the discussion on whether the JF-17 should be enlarged to fit a WS-10: As it seems, the PLAN has made a decision to use more or less a similar sized variant, powered by the WS-19 and eventually called J-35. As such, everything else concerning your question was probably relevant several years ago, but no longer now.

 

[kungfugymnast]

I think this discussion is as moot as the discussion on whether the JF-17 should be enlarged to fit a WS-10: As it seems, the PLAN has made a decision to use more or less a similar sized variant, powered by the WS-19 and eventually called J-35. As such, everything else concerning your question was probably relevant several years ago, but no longer now.

With advances in anti-ship missiles technology having greater effective range and speed lately, there has been debate on US carrier fighters effective range & combat radius arose. F35C has the combat radius but slow while F/A18E/F poor aerodynamic giving it poor range and the plan for CFT is in consideration. Now they are thinking of coming up with high speed large long range fighters to deal with rising threat from China & Russia. They expect to reduce numbers of fighters on the deck.

So for PLAN, do you think it is practical to have the J35 enlarged in order to have the speed, range and payload for fleet defense and offensive roles? With introduction of EMALS later, the J15 would be able to carry more fuel and easily launch from carriers extending the combat radius.

 

[Deino]

...
So for PLAN, do you think it is practical to have the J35 enlarged in order to have the speed, range and payload for fleet defense and offensive roles? With introduction of EMALS later, the J15 would be able to carry more fuel and easily launch from carriers extending the combat radius.

No offence ... go and tell this to the PLAN, but at least from what I read, the decision was made against such an enlarged WS-10-powered type.

 

[Beethoven]

No offence ... go and tell this to the PLAN, but at least from what I read, the decision was made against such an enlarged WS-10-powered type.

Any updates on the WS19???? What is its current status???

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

I think this discussion is as moot as the discussion on whether the JF-17 should be enlarged to fit a WS-10: As it seems, the PLAN has made a decision to use more or less a similar sized variant, powered by the WS-19 and eventually called J-35. As such, everything else concerning your question was probably relevant several years ago, but no longer now.

I guess FC-31 would basically end up as the tech demonstrator that leads to the J-35, but the J-35 (if it materializes) will be a very different fighter?

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

I guess FC-31 would basically end up as the tech demonstrator that leads to the J-35, but the J-35 (if it materializes) will be a very different fighter?

Better to consider it as a step along the development pathway. The FC-31 was an inadequate attempt to make a stealth fighter (understandable since SAC lost the Chinese 4th gen competition to CAC), but it still taught SAC a lot. CAC has been brought in to help SAC on the J-XY, and it's likely that a lot of the work done on the FC-31 will be transferable to that.

Any updates on the WS19???? What is its current status???

We know very little about the current status of the WS-15/WS-19. Both seem to be in advanced testing and should be production-ready by around 2025.

 

[Deino]

I guess FC-31 would basically end up as the tech demonstrator that leads to the J-35, but the J-35 (if it materializes) will be a very different fighter?

Actually I don't think so or at least it has to be seen if the changes from FC-31 to J-35 are comparably huge as from the X-35 to the final F-35. I won't be surprised when they are minor and more an evolutional design from the FC-31V2.

But again, that remains to be seen.

Better to consider it as a step along the development pathway. The FC-31 was an inadequate attempt to make a stealth fighter (understandable since SAC lost the Chinese 4th gen competition to CAC), but it still taught SAC a lot. CAC has been brought in to help SAC on the J-XY, and it's likely that a lot of the work done on the FC-31 will be transferable to that.

That too is not clear especially since the FC-31 was not the contender for the PLAAF's heavy stealth fighter, that was indeed won by CAC. In my understanding, SAC's contender - that large tri-plane type - was indeed a failure with no chance against CAC's J-20, but SAC learned a lot and developed with the FC-31 a type, taht could become what the F-35 could have been if it was not meant to be a beast for all services and all missions.

Anyway, that all depends on the engine.

Any updates on the WS19???? What is its current status???

Unfortunately not to my knowledge. Maybe @LKJ86 knows more.