SAC FC-31 Stealth Fighter: News & Discussions

[LKJ86]

Allegedly the third prototype ... but IMO it looks more like the second one!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1258298572572745730

https://twitter.com/x/status/1258301454131093504

Isn't no one interested in a keypoint that it was found in Yanliang?

 

[enroger]

Isn't no one interested in a keypoint that it was found in Yanliang?

I noticed it, though it boggles the mind why V2 is there...

 

[Deino]

Isn't no one interested in a keypoint that it was found in Yanliang?

I must have missed this ... the direct translation did not say a word. But this indeed wod be a hint of now being a PLA project - or am I wrong ? - and so it is a recent image?

 

[LKJ86]

But this indeed wod be a hint of now being a PLA project

Agreed

 

[Deino]

Agreed

But how recent are these images?

Anyway, I must apologise again.... It is indeed the FC-31 prototype no. 31003.

(Image via xyqq/SDF)

 

[Deino]

Now I'm confused... Point is, the number confirms there is a third prototype and this seems to be that one. The question is - and so far I haven't got an answer - is this third airframe now the same aircraft we formerly knew as the second one (aka second flying one or V2) since the true second prototype is the statec test specimen or is this the third flying one and we haven't seen any images confirming a no. 31002 and the static test frames simply have no numbers?

 

[Rank]

Now I'm confused... Point is, the number confirms there is a third prototype and this seems to be that one. The question is - and so far I haven't got an answer - is this third airframe now the same aircraft we formerly knew as the second one (aka second flying one or V2) since the true second prototype is the statec test specimen or is this the third flying one and we haven't seen any images confirming a no. 31002 and the static test frames simply have no numbers?

VSTB gonna change soon... wait and watch..

 

[Akasa]

Agreed

Wasn't the JF-17 also tested at Yanliang?

The lack of any PLA emblem suggests that this variant is still export-only.

VSTB gonna change soon... wait and watch..

Based on what? What sort of changes?

 

[Deino]

But how recent are these images?

Anyway, I must apologise again.... It is indeed the FC-31 prototype no. 31003.

(Image via xyqq/SDF)

View attachment 630504

We'll see ...

Otherwise here's another image posted late yesterday evening, however it is PS'ed since someone took an existing image of that FC-31V2 parked on the tarmac, rotated it slightly in order to make it appear flying and put it against a false background to make it appear landing or at least in the air.

 

[Tiqiu]

 

[Maxpane]

View attachment 631072

sise weapon bay?

 

[Deino]

sise weapon bay?

No, but this panel was always there on the first demonstrator.

 

[enroger]

sise weapon bay?

Not enough length there for SD-10, blocked by main gear.

However I predict J-35 will have side bay by lengthening the fuselage.

 

[Maxpane]

No, but this panel was always there on the first demonstrator.

ohh sorry . i thought its a weapon bay

Not enough length there for SD-10, blocked by main gear.

However I predict J-35 will have side bay by lengthening the fuselage.

thanks for the info sir

 

[Tiqiu]

Not enough length there for SD-10, blocked by main gear.

However I predict J-35 will have side bay by lengthening the fuselage.

The reported newly developed engin is 25 percent powerful than the ws13, thus the lengthening of its body is expected. I even guess it is already undergoing.