Jump to content

Shenyang FC-31

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 49.131.214.124 (talk) at 02:42, 4 January 2024. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

FC-31 Gyrfalcon
FC-31 prototype at 2014 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition
Role Stealth multirole fighter
National origin China
Manufacturer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Design group 601 Institute
First flight 31 October 2012[1]
Status Prototype
Developed into Shenyang J-35

The Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon (Chinese: 鹘鹰; pinyin: Gǔ yīng),[2][3][4] also known as the J-31[5] is a Chinese prototype mid-sized twinjet 5th-generation fighter aircraft developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The official nickname published by SAC is "Gyrfalcon", though it has also been referred to as the "F-60" or "J-21 Snowy Owl" (Chinese: 雪鸮) in some media reports,[6][7][8] or "Falcon Hawk" by some military enthusiasts.[9][10] J-XX nomenclatures in the Chinese military are reserved for programs launched and financed by the People's Liberation Army, while the FC-31 plane was developed independently as a private venture by the aircraft manufacturer.[11][12]

Development

Origin

While the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter was officially endorsed by the People's Liberation Army Air Force after Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal won the PLAAF bid for the next-generation jet fighter,[13] Shenyang Aircraft Corporation pressed on and developed a private project aiming to secure potential export customers.[11]

A photo of a model labeled F-60 was posted on the Internet in September 2011.[14] In June 2012, photos and phone camera video clips started to emerge on internet regarding a heavily overwrapped fighter plane airframe (widely suspected to be the F-60 prototype) being road-transferred on a highway, earning the nickname "the zongzi plane" (Chinese: 粽子机) among Chinese netizens, though some suspect it of merely being an L-15 trainer aircraft.[15] Pictures of a possibly fully assembled aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on 15 or 16 September 2012.[16] The F-60 is reported to be the export version, where the J-31 would be the domestic Chinese version of the same fighter.[17] Chinese aviation expert Xu Yongling has called the J-31 an export-oriented low-end latest generation warplane.[18]

Public reveal

A 1⁄4-scale model of the J-31 was shown at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2012, hinting at a desire to offer the aircraft for export, as an alternative for those countries that cannot purchase the F-35.[19]

The J-31 airframe was publicly unveiled on 12 November 2014 at Zhuhai Airshow.[20][21] In TV broadcast of the unveiling, AVIC chairman Lin Zuoming claimed that funding for the aircraft came entirely from the company, with no input from military.[22]

As typical in flight displays of fighter jets,[citation needed] afterburners were engaged throughout the maneuvers. Nevertheless, Reuben Johnson of ainonline.com claimed it to be evidence of aerodynamic inefficiencies, concluding that the aircraft "bleeds a lot of energy and the pilot had a hard time keeping the nose up."[23] Flights were done when the jet was "clean," so results would be worse when fitted with a combat loadout. However, a large-scale model of the FC-31 on display did show some detail changes of configuration compared to the flying prototype.[23]

At the 2015 Dubai Airshow, AVIC released more details regarding the aircraft's capabilities. The company revealed it is still looking for a partner in the aircraft project, and is actively marketing the aircraft to People's Liberation Army Air Force. AVIC's plan was to have a production model first flight by 2019.[24][25]

Design revision

It is very likely that the J-31 will be inducted as a carrier-based naval fighter. In an interview with China's state-run media, FC-31's chief designer Sun Cong expressed that the aircraft would follow his J-15 onto China's aircraft carriers.[26] However, officials from AVIC only said that the aircraft was intended for export as a competitor to the F-35.[27][28][29][30] There has also been reports that the PLAN has urged Shenyang to develop a carrier-compatible version of J-31.[31]

In 2015, Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company marketed its EOTS-86 infra-red search and track as a possible addition to the J-31.[32] An improved prototype, with modifications to the vertical stabilizers, wings, and airframe, an electro-optical targeting system, a larger payload, improvements in stealth, and upgraded electronics, made its maiden flight in December 2016.[33][34]

In November 2018, an Aviation Week article stated that the FC-31 program has received government funding and is being sought after by both the PLANAF and PLAAF, according to official sources.[35] In June 2020, reports surfaced that a third variant of FC-31, albeit a more production-ready version with smoother lines, a bigger radome for a bigger radar, and a closer alignment of control surfaces to reduce the radar signature, had been developed.[31] The "new fighter" has been referred to by some as J-35.[36]

Navalized prototype of the Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter

On October 29, 2021, the modified carrier-based variant of the FC-31, dubbed J-35 by commentators, made its maiden flight.[37] It is intended to operate from the forthcoming Type 003 aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. The naval variant is based on the second prototype of the FC-31, but also includes a catapult launch bar and a wing-fold mechanism.[38][39]

Operational history

Flight testing

The prototype conducted a high-speed taxiing test and briefly became airborne. On 31 October 2012, prototype No. 31001 conducted the model's maiden flight.[1][7][40][41][42] It was accompanied by two J-11 fighters in a ten-minute test flight with its landing gear lowered.

With the maiden test flight of the prototype No.31001 on 30 October 2012, China became the second nation after the 1991 Advanced Tactical Fighter fly off, to have two stealth fighter designs in field-testing at the same time.[40][41] The aircraft has continued a limited test program, with footage emerging of further flights which took place in February 2013.[43]

Design (2013–2019)

J-31 in-flight

J-31 incorporates certain stealth characteristics such as forward-swept intake ramps with diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps, a two-piece bubble canopy, contoured weapon bays and two oblique vertical stabilizers.

Airframe

The J-31 is smaller than the Chengdu J-20. The use of twin-wheel nose landing gear led to speculations that the J-31 may have been intended to be a carrier-based fighter.[44][45][46] Bill Sweetman has cited several improvements to the F-35C design files the Chinese may have acquired in the J-31.[47] Analyst David Bignell argues that J-31 is rather based on F-22, due to the similarity in platform, shape, aerodynamics and airframe configuration, instead of F-35.[48]

The J-31 has two internal weapons bays that can each carry two medium-range missiles, along with two heavy hardpoints and one light hardpoint on each wing, but while it seems to have added an additional light hardpoint to each wing over the capacity of the F-35, it seems to lack the capacity of the F-35 to mount a centerline gunnery or jamming pod.[citation needed]

Officials from AVIC claimed that additive manufacturing was extensively used on the aircraft, resulting in 50% reduction in components compared to similar aircraft. However, the resulting airframe cannot be disassembled, and the static test frame had to be transported in whole as a consequence.[22]

Engines

According to Vladimir Barkovsky of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (formerly known as the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau), the engines on the prototype aircraft are RD-93s.[16][49] However, China already has an engine similar to the RD-93, the Guizhou WS-13 currently installed on the JF-17 which has the same thrust and size of the Russian RD-93. China is working on an improved variant named WS-13E with 100 kN (22,000 lbf) of thrust for use on the J-31. Lin Zuoming, chairman of China's AVIC, has said that he hopes to put domestic engines on the fighter.[50] As the Chinese build up confidence in newer, more reliable and powerful domestic engines, they may be able to power the J-31 sooner than the larger J-20 and in greater numbers.[51]

Payload

The J-31 can carry 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) of payload, with four munitions totaling 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) internally, and 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) carried on six external hardpoints; primary armaments include the PL-10 short-range missile and PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missile. 4 PL-21 missiles can also be fitted inside the J-31's internal weapons bay.[52] It has a combat radius of 648 nmi (746 mi; 1,200 km) and a maximum take-off weight of 25,000 kg (55,000 lb).[24][25]

Stealth

The J-31 is speculated to use stealth coatings instead of "baked in" fiber-mat stealth.[53] Officials from AVIC claim the aircraft to be stealthy against L-band and Ku-band radars, and would be low-observable against a number of multi-spectrum sensors.[24] The engine nozzles are apparently being redesigned to reduce radar and infrared signatures.[54]

Recent updates (2020)

Payload

The maximum take-off weight of this J-31 increased from 25,000 kg to 28,000 kg.[55]

Engines

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation has officially confirmed that J-31 is installing WS-19 engine, which has a maximum thrust of 12 tons, compared to WS-13 whose thrust is 9 tons.[55] The total thrust of the jet has been increased from 18 tons to 24 tons. The maximum range of this jet was also extended to 1250 km.[55] It can also supercruise.[55]

Stealth

The J-31 is now using stealth coatings instead of "baked in" fiber-mat stealth.

Foreign reactions

U.S. military and industry officials believe that once the J-31 enters service, it will likely be more than a match for existing fourth-generation fighters like the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. They suggest that the capability of the J-31 against the newest fighters, such as the U.S. F-22 and F-35, would depend on factors such as numbers of platforms, quality of pilots, and capabilities of radars and other sensors.[56]

India (HAL AMCA) and Japan (Mitsubishi F-X) are pursuing their own programs to develop fifth and sixth generation fighters to counter China's developments, while some of China's other neighbors are considering purchase of the F-35 or Su-57 to foster their capabilities.[57][58][59][60]

Vladimir Barkovsky of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has stated that, despite some design flaws, the J-31 "looks like a good machine." Although it contains features already in use on the U.S. fifth generation fighter designs, it is "not a copy but a well done indigenous design."[49]

At a ceremony in January 2024, Pakistan announced its intent to acquire the J-31 aircraft.[61]

Controversy

In April 2009, the Wall Street Journal reported that computer spies, allegedly Chinese, had penetrated the database of the Joint Strike Fighter program and acquired terabytes of secret information.[62] AVIC is alleged to have incorporated the stolen knowledge into the J-31.[63][64][65]

Specifications (FC-31 estimated)

Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications—based on available imagery—are approximate and preliminary.

Data from Aviation Industry Corporation of China,[66]Aviation Week,[67] Flight Global[68] unless otherwise attributed

General characteristics

  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Length: 17.3 m (56 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 50 m2 (540 sq ft) [69]
  • Max takeoff weight: 28,000 kg (61,729 lb) [70]
  • Powerplant: 2 × WS-13 afterburning turbofans, 56.75 kN (12,760 lbf) thrust each dry, 87.2 kN (19,600 lbf) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 at high altitude
    • Mach 1.14 (1,400 km/h, 870 mph) at sea level
  • Combat range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) on internal fuel, or 1,900 kilometres (1,200 mi) with aerial refueling
  • Service ceiling: 16,000 m (52,000 ft)

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ a b "China unveils new fifth-generation stealth fighter". Archived from the original on 2013-01-04. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  2. ^ "业务领域 战斗机". AVIC. Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  3. ^ "FC-31 Makes Airshow China Debut". Aviation Week. 2014-11-11. Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  4. ^ "Fighters For Business". AVIC. Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  5. ^ "China's second FC-31 takes flight". FlightGlobal. 2016-12-23. Archived from the original on 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  6. ^ Tamir Eshel (2012-09-16). "A New Stealth Fighter Unveiled in China". Defense Update. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  7. ^ a b New Chinese fighter conducts maiden flight Archived 2012-11-02 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, October 31, 2012
  8. ^ "J-21 (Jianjiji-21 Fighter aircraft 21) / F-21". www.globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-22.
  9. ^ "Intensive Flight-Tests for China's J-31 Fighter; May Challenge US for Market Share". Defense News. Archived from the original on 2014-11-10. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  10. ^ China's Newest Stealth Fighter Takes Flight Archived 2014-03-20 at the Wayback Machine - Wired.com, October 31, 2012
  11. ^ a b I Sutton, H (8 June 2021). "First Sighting Of New Stealth Fighter For Chinese Navy's Aircraft Carriers". Naval News.
  12. ^ Kenhmann, Henri (28 August 2016). "La fin du programme Shenyang FC-31 ?". East Pendulum (in French). Archived from the original on 2016-12-29. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  13. ^ "中国空军选定下一代战机由611所方案胜出". War China (in Chinese). 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  14. ^ "F-60, UCAV stealth models revealed?". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  15. ^ New Chinese fighter revealed? Maybe or maybe not. Most probably just a very well known L-15 advanced jet trainer. Archived 2012-08-29 at the Wayback Machine, The Aviationist. 22 June 2012
  16. ^ a b Waldron, Greg. "PICTURES: New fighter aircraft emerges in China". Flight International. Archived from the original on 2012-09-18. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  17. ^ Minnick, Wendell. "Glimpse of China's New Fighter Fuels Rumors." Defense News, 5 August 2012.
  18. ^ "J-31 Stealth Fighter to Appear At Zhuhai Air Show". defense-aerospace.com. China Military Online. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Latest China military hardware displayed at airshow." Archived 2012-11-14 at the Wayback Machine AFP, 13 November 2012.
  20. ^ Savadove, Bill (November 12, 2014). "China shows off new stealth fighter". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  21. ^ Chan, Minnie (November 11, 2014). "VIPs flock to Zhuhai airshow as J-31 stealth fighter takes to the skies". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
  22. ^ a b 《对话》20141207： J31珠海航展特辑 － 角力天空的中国力量 [Special editorial of J-31 at Zhuhai Airshow]. CCTV2. December 7, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-10-09. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  23. ^ a b China's FC-31 Fighter Disappoints in First Display Archived 2014-11-21 at the Wayback Machine - Ainonline.com, 17 November 2014
  24. ^ a b c AVIC Begins FC-31 Export Drive Archived 2015-11-11 at the Wayback Machine - Aviationweek.com, 8 November 2015
  25. ^ a b Customer sought for AVIC's new stealth fighter Archived 2015-11-11 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 8 November 2015
  26. ^ Reed Business Information Limited. "China fighter designer compares J-15 to F/A-18 Hornet". Archived from the original on 2015-05-30. Retrieved 4 February 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ Waldron, Greg. "AIRSHOW CHINA: AVIC proposes stealth fighter for export". Flight International. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  28. ^ "AIRSHOW-China pushes exports, flags ambitions at arms fair." Archived 2015-10-05 at the Wayback Machine Reuters, 16 November 2012.
  29. ^ Rajagopalan, Megha; Laurence, Jeremy (9 December 2014). "China's stealth fighter could "take down" foreign rival - industry exec". in.reuters.com. Reuters. Archived from the original on 2015-06-29. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  30. ^ Yap, Chuin-Wei (12 December 2014). "China Stealth Jet Maker Walks Back Boast It Could 'Take Out' F-35". Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  31. ^ a b Axe, David. "The Chinese Navy Could Save The Stealth Fighter No One Else Wants". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  32. ^ Fisher, Richard D Jr (16 July 2015). "Beijing tech show highlights advances in Chinese fighter sensors". www.janes.com. IHS. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  33. ^ Fisher, Richard D. Jr; Dominguez, Gabriel (28 December 2016). "China's second FC-31 fighter prototype makes maiden flight". janes.com. IHS. Archived from the original on 2017-01-01. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 2017-05-14. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
  35. ^ "Avic's J-31 Fighter Is a Winner After All". aviationweek.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-20. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  36. ^ Mizokami, Kyle (2020-06-30). "Reports Say China Has a New Jet Fighter in the Works. Here's What We Know". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  37. ^ "China's New Carrier-Based Stealth Fighter Makes First Flight". 29 October 2021.
  38. ^ "China's Carrier-Capable Naval Stealth Fighter Has Flown". 29 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Our Best Look Yet At China's J-35 Carrier-Capable Stealth Fighter". 22 July 2022.
  40. ^ a b "New Stealth Fighter Jet to Make China Military Leader in the Region, Says Expert." Archived 2012-11-06 at the Wayback Machine IBT, 3 November 2012.
  41. ^ a b "Chinese Stealth Fighter Shenyang J-31 Gyrfalcon maiden flight » MiGFlug.com Blog". 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  42. ^ FFCZ. "中国第二款隐形战机成功首飞 - 热点追踪 - 超级大本营军事网站-最严肃的军事网站 - CJDBY.net". Archived from the original on 2012-12-20. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  43. ^ "Amateur video showing China's second stealth plane's test flight emerges" Archived 2013-08-21 at the Wayback Machine "The Aviationist", 21 August 2013.
  44. ^ Thompson, Mark. "Beijing Doubling-Down on Stealth Fighters." Archived 2012-07-20 at the Wayback Machine Time Magazine, 17 July 2012.
  45. ^ Gertz, Bill. "Beijing's Raptor Knockoff." Archived 2012-07-19 at the Wayback Machine Washington Free Beacon July 17, 2012
  46. ^ Axe, David. "Questions Abound as China Unveils Another Stealth Jet". WIRED. Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  47. ^ Sweetman, Bill. "China's New Stealth Fighter. Not a repeat from December 2010." Archived 2014-11-05 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week, 16 September 2012.
  48. ^ "Zhuhai 2014 PLA Aircraft and PGMs".
  49. ^ a b Karnozov, Vladimir. "Russian Officials Reveal J-31 Engine and Describe Sales to China" AIN, 23 November 2012.
  50. ^ "Sky-high target for engines-Science-Tech-chinadaily.com.cn". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  51. ^ Fisher, Richard. |head "Deterring China's Fighter Buildup." International Assessment and Strategy Center, 19 November 2012.
  52. ^ "This new ramjet engine could triple the range of Chinese missiles". 18 March 2019.
  53. ^ F_161. "Intensive flight-tests for China's J-31 fighter; may challenge US for market share - People's Daily Online". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 4 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  54. ^ Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (13 November 2014). "China's J-31 Stealth Fighter: Then And Now". www.popsci.com. Popular Science. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  55. ^ a b c d 王云飞：歼-31隐形战机传来捷报，下一代隐形舰载机配涡扇-19性能飙升！, retrieved 2020-12-08
  56. ^ U.S. Pilots Say New Chinese Stealth Fighter Could Become Equal of F-22, F-35 Archived 2014-11-07 at the Wayback Machine - News.USNI.org, 5 November 2014
  57. ^ "Chinese Aircraft Industry's New J-31 Stealth Fighter: Implications for India". Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  58. ^ Ajai Shukla (10 November 2012). "New Chinese stealth fighter heightens dilemma for Indian Navy". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 2013-01-12. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  59. ^ "Lockheed sees increased Singapore interest in F-35 fighter". Reuters. 9 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  60. ^ ""IOPFOR; New Chinese stealth design and the strategic implications."". Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  61. ^ "Pakistan's army chief praises air force's advanced weapon induction, calls it vital for regional power balance". Arab News. 2024-01-03. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  62. ^ Gorman S; Cole A; Dreazen Y (April 21, 2009). "Computer Spies Breach Fighter-Jet Project Article". The Wall Street Journal.
  63. ^ "Stolen F-35 secrets now showing up in China's stealth fighter". Fox News. 20 December 2015.
  64. ^ "New Snowden Documents Reveal Chinese Behind F-35 Hack". The Diplomat. 27 January 2015.
  65. ^ "America says China's fifth-generation jet fighter J-31 stolen from its F-35". The Economic Times. 13 November 2015.
  66. ^ "型号：FC-31" (in Simplified Chinese). 中國航空工業集團.
  67. ^ Perrett, Bradley; Hewson, Robert; Johnson, Reuben; Sweetman, Bill (19 November 2012). "Avic Promotes J-31 As An Export Fighter". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  68. ^ Waldron, Greg (21 September 2021). "New Chinese carrier-borne fighter by year-end: J-15, FC-31 designer". Flight Global.
  69. ^ asiavikin (2018-06-29). "算一算鹘鹰的当量机翼面积". 知乎. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  70. ^ a b c d e f g h Fisher, Richard D. Jr (9 November 2016). "New details emerge on Shenyang FC-31 fifth-generation export fighter". IHS Janes 360. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  71. ^ a b Waldron, Greg (8 November 2015). "Customer sought for AVIC's new stealth fighter". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 2015-11-11. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  72. ^ "J-31 (Jianjiji-31 Fighter aircraft 21)". www.globalsecurity.org.

Media related to Shenyang FC-31 at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shenyang_FC-31&oldid=1193492112"