Shenyang J-31

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Shenyang J-31 (F60)
RoleStealth multirole fighter
National originPeople's Republic of China
ManufacturerShenyang Aircraft Corporation
First flight31 October 2012[1]
StatusFlight testing
Number built2 prototypes [2]
The Shenyang J-31,[3][4] rumored to be nicknamed "Gyrfalcon" (鹘鹰), orFalcon Hawk[5] by some military enthusiasts,[6] is a twin-engine, mid-size fifth-generation jet fighter currently under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The fighter has also been referred to as F-60 or J-21 Snowy Owl(雪鸮) in media reports.[3][2][7]

Development[edit]

A photo of a model labeled F-60 was posted on the Internet in September 2011.[8] In June 2012, photos and camera video clips started to emerge on internet about a heavily overwrapped possible F-60 prototype being road-transferred on a highway, earning the nickname "the zongzi plane" (粽子机) among Chinese netizens, though some suspect it of merely being a L-15 trainer aircraft.[9] Pictures of a possibly fully assembled aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on September 15–16, 2012.[10][11] The F-60 is reported to be the export version, where the J-31 would be the domestic Chinese version of the same fighter.[12]
It is unknown if the J-31 is meant to be a competitor to the J-20 stealth fighter or a complement to it. It is also unknown if it will be a land-based fighter for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, or a carrier-based fighter for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force on the Liaoning Aircraft Carrier[6] and future Chinese carriers. The J-31's chief designer, Sun Cong, has said that he hoped that the aircraft would follow his J-15 onto China's aircraft carriers.[13][14] However, industry sources say development of the J-31 was provided entirely by the PLAAF with no input from the PLAN. This would mean the Air Force plans to operate two stealth fighters for different missions, like the U.S. Air Force with the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II; the heavier J-20 would primarily be a high-altitudedogfighter, while the J-31 would perform a multitude of medium and low-altitude missions (in addition to air-to-air) including close air support, air interdiction, aerial bombardment, and suppression of enemy air defenses.[15]
On 30 December 2013, Sina Corp reported that the J-31 would be redesigned to have ground attack capabilities. The J-31 acting as a stealthy tactical bomber fills a gap in Chinese close air support between the short-range Xian JH-7 and the expensive Xian H-6strategic bomber. The PLAAF operates the Sukhoi Su-30MK2 for the mission, but that is vulnerable to radar detection. By making the J-31 less dedicated to the fighter role, its range, payload, and stealth can be increased.[16]

Strategic implications[edit]

The appearance of the J-31 raised concern about a potential arms race in Asia, as some of China's neighbors might again start to consider purchasing the F-35.[17][18][19][20]
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.[21][22] AVIC confirmed at the exhibition that the aircraft was intended for export.[23][24] In 2013 Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong confirmed that the J-31 was only for export to countries unable to buy the F-35 and would not be used by the PLAN.[25] Stephen Biddle of the Council for Foreign Relations has speculated that the aircraft design was intended for domestic use, but found to be under performing and hence relegated to the export market.[26]However, a new photo which shows PLAAF officials with a model of the aircraft in air force livery seems to suggest that the aircraft, contrary to previous beliefs, has received official support. This may indicate the air force or navy might adopt this aircraft.

Flight testing[edit]

The prototype conducted a high-speed taxiing and briefly became airborne. On 31 October 2012, prototype No. 31001 conducted the model's maiden flight.[2][27][28][1][29] 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 October 31, 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.[27][28] The aircraft has continued a limited test program, with footage emerging of further flights which took place in February 2013.[30]

Design[edit]

The J-31 is a mid-weight, twin rudder and twin-engine jet with the typical configuration that is commonly shared by other 5th generation fighters such as Sukhoi T-50.[31] J-31 incorporates certain stealth characters such as forward swept intake cowls with diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps and a two-piece canopy.
The J-31 appears to be a smaller and more agile aircraft than the Chengdu J-20 that resembles a twin engine F-35C. This may be because it might be used as a fifth generation carrier based fighter.[32][33][34] Another feature that the J-31 shares with the F-35C (and most other carrier based fighter jets) is the twin forward wheels.[35] Bill Sweetman has cited several improvements to the F-35C design files the Chinese may have acquired in the J-31.[36] Like the F-35, 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.[37]
Vladimir Barkovsky of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG (formerly known as the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau) 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." Barkovsky has confirmed that the engines on the prototype aircraft are RD-93s.[10][38] 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-13A with 100KN 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.[39]
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.[40]
USAF Lieutenant General Charles Davis has said that while the Chinese fifth generation fighter may have used stolen information from the F-35 program, they were unlikely to measure up to the American aircraft.[41]
Unlike the F-35's "baked in" fiber-mat stealth, the J-31 uses stealth coatings.[42]

Specifications (estimated)[edit]

Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications — based on available imagery — are approximate and preliminary.
Data from Chris Pocock[43] and Aviation Week.[44]
General characteristics
  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Length: 16.9 m (55 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 40 m2 (430 sq ft)

See also[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shenyang military aircraft.
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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to:a b "China unveils new fifth-generation stealth fighter".
  2. ^ Jump up to:a b c New Chinese fighter conducts maiden flight - Flightglobal.com, October 31, 2012
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b Tamir Eshel (2012-09-16). "A New Stealth Fighter Unveiled in China". Defense Update.
  4. Jump up^ "Chinese F-60/J-21/J31 Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet Unveiled". Chinese Military Review. 2012-09-16.
  5. Jump up^ DefenseAerospace.com: Intensive Flight-Tests for China's J-31 Fighter; May Challenge US for Market Share
  6. ^ Jump up to:a b China’s Newest Stealth Fighter Takes Flight - Wired.com, October 31, 2012
  7. Jump up^ "J-21 Snowy Owl (Jianjiji-21 Fighter aircraft 21) / F-21".
  8. Jump up^ Shenyang "F-60", UCAV stealth models revealed?, Flight Global. 29 September 2011
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  11. Jump up^ 18 September 2012, Two models of Chinese 5th-Gen fighter in works (PHOTOS), RT
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  28. ^ Jump up to:a b 5th Generation Shenyang J-31 had its maiden flight on October 31st
  29. Jump up^ Maiden flight of J-31.
  30. Jump up^ "Amateur video showing China’s second stealth plane’s test flight emerges" "The Aviationist", 21 August 2013.
  31. Jump up^ Comparison view of Sukhoi T-50 & Shenyang J-31
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  37. Jump up^ "Two models of Chinese 5th-Gen fighter in works (PHOTOS)." RT, 18 September 2012.
  38. Jump up^ Karnozov, Vladimir. "Russian Officials Reveal J-31 and Describe Engine Sales to China." AIN, 23 November 2012.
  39. Jump up^ " Sky-high target for engines."
  40. Jump up^ Fisher, Richard. "Deterring China’s Fighter Buildup."International Assessment and Strategy Center, 19 November 2012.
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  44. Jump up^ "Avic Promotes J-31 As An Export Fighter." Aviation Week, 16 November 2012.