Posted on 11/14/2014 7:42:30 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
We don’t know much about the FC-31, China’s other stealth fighter prototype. But a non-flying model of the FC-31 that appeared at the Zhuhai air show in southern China in early November offers some compelling new clues.
That’s because the model is different than the flying FC-31 prototype—which also attended the Zhuhai show and put on a spirited aerobatic display on Nov. 12.
Comparing the model and the plane could reveal Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s ambitions for its new stealth jet.
The model boasts better stealth features, new engines and a wider range of sensors. If Shenyang adds all these enhancements to the FC-31, the resulting fighter could more closely match the American F-35.
Here’s what we know for sure. The FC-31 first appeared in September 2012 at Shenyang’s factory airfield and took off on its inaugural test flight on Oct. 31 that year. Early on, observers called the new plane the J-31. Shenyang confirmed the FC-31 designation at Zhuhai this year.
There has only ever been one FC-31 prototype—and for good reason. Unlike Chengdu’s J-20 stealth fighter—four copies of which are flying—the FC-31 is a strictly private venture. The Chinese military has not yet ordered the plane … and may never. The J-20 is set to become China’s first, and likely main, front-line stealth fighter.
That’s not unusual. Chinese industry currently produces several warplane designs solely for export—most notably the JF-17, a hugely upgraded MiG-21 variant that forms the backbone of the Pakistani air force.
Indeed, there are rumors that Pakistan is interested in buying FC-31s.
The FC-31 is roughly 55 feet long, sports a one-man, two-piece cockpit and two Russian-made RD-93 engines. Its belly bay can accommodate four medium-range PL-12 air-to-air missiles—assuming artwork on display at Zhuhai is accurate.
The F-35 can also carry four medium-range air-to-air missiles in its internal bays.
The new Chinese plane has side-by-side twin nose wheels, a feature often associated with carrier-launched naval fighters. Blurry photos in the summer of 2014 seemed to depict a non-flying FC-31 model on the deck of a land-based mock-up version of Liaoning, China’s sole aircraft carrier—a possible hint at a future role for the FC-31 in Chinese service.
To be fair, some observers say the shape on the carrier mock-up is not an FC-31, rather a shrouded J-15—an older fighter model. In any event, there’s definitely a carrier version of the U.S. F-35.
The FC-31 prototype seems to have limited sensor capabilities. Its nose can surely contain a multi-mode radar. And at least one antenna on its wing could be part of a passive receiver for detecting enemy radar emissions. But unlike many other fighters including the F-35, the FC-31 doesn’t have fittings for a long-range camera.
Close up of that antenna on FC-31's wing
But if the non-flying model at Zhuhai is any indication, the FC-31 could get a host of improvements. The model has a bigger nose, possibly to indicate carriage of a high-tech electronically-scanned-array radar. The model also includes an under-nose fairing for a camera, similar to the fairing on the F-35.
At top—the FC-31 at Zhuhai. Above—the model at Zhuhai. Photos via Chinese social media
The model’s tail fins are a different shape than the flying prototype’s fins, with parallel angles that could improve the plane’s ability to avoid radar detection. The canopy is one-piece—representing another possible signature reduction.
Likewise, the model’s engines are different, with sawtooth nozzles that could also improve the FC-31’s stealth. Shenyang reportedly wants to fit domestically-made motors to the FC-31 to replace the Russian RD-93s.
Now, we don’t know when—or even if—Shenyang plans to add the model’s improvements to the FC-31. Although, it’s worth pointing out that Chengdu has progressively improved its J-20 prototypes with stealth features.
Nor can we say for sure that the FC-31 will ever evolve into a useful front-line warplane. It needs much more development.
And it needs a buyer.
It looks like a hodge-podge of Russian parts bin stuff. Probably nothing stealthy about it at this point.
Well Obama was just in China dropping off more secrets so expect the improvements soon
It is getting to where they all look alike to me.
Have you looked at cars these days?
Good point.
There was a time back in the 50s and early 60s when I could tell every car at a glance. Not only year, brand and model but even what engine they had.
During WWII the planes were very distinctive. The BF-109, FW-190, ME-110, Hurricane, Spitfire, Thunderbolt, Mustang, P-40, P-38, Corsair could all be identified immediately.
I probably would have trouble with a Widlcat and a Hellcat unless they were beside each other. Also a Zero and Oscar looked a lot alike.
The reason they do today may have more to do with espionage than anything else.
At least warships can still be identified as well as they ever could
From a CNN article:
a senior MiG official stated “no, as far as I know they [the Chinese] completed this design themselves, and they seem to have done a good job on their own.”
The MiG official may be correct. An aircraft of this type designed with Russian assistance would probably perform better.
The FC-31’s flight routine shows that it “bleeds” too much energy — so when it enters into a turn it begins to lose altitude. Even during straight and level flight the pilot has to engage the engine’s afterburners in order to keep the aircraft from sinking to a lower altitude. These are defects in the aircraft’s aerodynamic design that a Russian design team would not have made.
READ: China lands first jet on aircraft carrier
Western aerospace analysts point out that the FC-31 flown at Zhuhai is a “clean” jet in that it is not armed, which means that an aircraft configured for a real mission and fitted with weapons would be even heavier and would perform even worse.
The J-31 looks to be a MiG-29 sized YF-22 (not F-22) knockoff with the somewhat more stealthy F-35 inlets and smaller nose. It uses MiG-29 engines (either ones obtained from Russia or knockoffs)
Wildcats had landing gear that retracted into the fuselage, Hellcats’ retracted into the wings ;-)
Right before Midway a det of VT-8 TBF Avengers flew onto the island to bolster it’s offensive punch. There were no diagrams, profiles or models to show the AA gunners and fighter pilots on the island what they looked like, and there was a fear they’d be shot down. What the folks on Midway were told was that they looked like “pregnant Wildcats”. Which worked.
Several Japanese fighters were caught by surprise when they jumped what they thought were Wildcats without noticing the rear-facing turrets with .30 cal Brownings.
A rear gunner on a Dauntless nearly got Saburo Sakai at Guadalcanal. He shot Saburo through the eye but he somehow managed to make it back to Lae.
He did permanently lose sight in that eye tho.
I also read that another Japanese ace had been making a maneuver against Wildcats which always succeeded. He then tried it against a Hellcat not knowing it was not a Wildcat.
He got shot down.
It is rumored that ChiComs has almost talked Russian export control into allowing them to get a newer ‘item 117’ type engine designed for Sukhoi version of Raptor from Saturn Co.
It would make ChiCom fighter much more appealing.
I'd think it was photoshopped, but they've mastered the art of copy and it's not unlike what the Chinese do with the Russian designs they build.
Perhaps they didn't have enough motor for a single, at least not yet, or maybe they prefer a twin engine and went with two, smaller but proven engines instead.
Either way, they've saved a bunch on engineering and caught up quickly. The electronics and software should be relatively easy.
What do you think is holding back the F-35 from entering IOC? Software and electronics.
Other than opposition in high places? Lots of things would be my guess, including software and electronics, and recently some engine problems.
But I would just be guessing. Hopefully, the engine woes have been resolved:
From Lockheed Martin: https://www.f35.com/about/life-cycle/software
Full report that specifies Block 3F for Navy IOC: https://www.f35.com/assets/uploads/downloads/12994/f-35_ioc_joint_report_final.pdf
The Chinese can build an airframe that more or less copies the F-35. They cannot and will not build an aircraft with comparable avionics and software, and certainly not faster than Lockheed Martin can.
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