The prototype of the Chinese Shenyang J-35 stealth
fighter, also often referred as the FC-31, has emerged online; A number of
interesting details are reveled about the aircraft.
Since its initial, poor-quality images started to
surface last year, the aircraft’s development has garnered media attention. How
Beijing could outfit its expanding fleet of aircraft carriers with stealth
aircraft?
The aircraft in question is reportedly the second flying prototype and third in all. On the top of the aircraft’s tail fin is a “flying shark” emblem resembling those on PLAN J-15 carrier-based fighter jets. The new pictures show the FC-31 stealth aircraft with the serial number 35003 and a gray tactical paint job. It also has toned down national insignia and other markings that can be seen in the pictures.
China’s
Growing Naval Power,
The PLA Navy (PLAN) and the People’s Liberation Army
Air Force (PLAAF) had previously rejected the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
built FC-31. Even during the pandemic, it is said that China made significant
progress on this program. “[The J-35 program]
This confirmed its planned naval role and indicated
that it has been advancing steadily over the last few months. The latest image
also shows that the aircraft has taken some design cues from the American
stealth fighter. The aircraft’s canopy is a front-opening, internally bowed
with an integral bulkhead at the back, just like the F-35’s.
The J-35’s engines are particularly noticeable in
the latest images of the aircraft. Experts believe this could be the first
glimpse of the new WS-21 engines that power this aircraft. The J-35 fitted with
WS-21 engines was reported to be making a formal appearance at this year’s
Zhuhai Air Show, which is scheduled for November, according to a report from
the Chinese state-run CCTV television.
Experts argue that it is currently difficult to
determine how stealthy this design is. However, the continuous development of
the aircraft shows Beijing’s intention to deploy a new fifth-generation
aircraft on its aircraft carriers shortly. The naval forces of Beijing are
expanding quickly. The J-35 will take off and land on Type 004, China’s planned
fourth aircraft carrier. This Type 004 aircraft carrier could be a
nuclear-powered ship and would signal its entry as a true maritime power
rivaling the United States.
The J-35’s appearance in July 2021 had “caught the
attention of US defense policymakers,” according to a Breaking Defense report. A
retired US naval intelligence officer, Capt. James Fanell told Breaking Defense
that the J-35 could be another critical turning point in China’s long-term
quest for a blue-water carrier-based naval aviation capability. “We are seeing
the goals of [now retired] Admiral Wu Shengli coming to fruition as the PLA Navy
continues its transformation into the most powerful navy on the planet,” he
said.
The new J-35’s latest images demonstrate the ability of China’s aerospace industry and provide much more information about the aircraft than was previously known.
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