Shenyang J-35. The Shenyang J-35 is a series of Chinese twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), designed for air superiority and surface strike missions. The aircraft reportedly has two variants, a land-based variant designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), and a carrier-based variant optimized for catapult-assisted takeoff (CATOBAR) for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF).

The aircraft is developed from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon (), a stealth aircraft prototype that serves as a demonstrator aiming to secure potential export customers after SAC lost the J-XX bid to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. The prototype had often been referred as J-31, F-60, J-21, Snowy Owl or Falcon Hawk in various media reports. The fighter initially does not feature the J-XX nomenclatures, as such names are reserved for programs launched and financed by the military, while the FC-31 was developed independently as a privately funded venture by SAC. The original FC-31 prototype made its maiden flight on October 31, 2012.

The People's Liberation Army, particularly the PLA Navy, later took an interest in the FC-31 project, leading to the prototype being further developed with a catapult launch bar and folding wings, and the revised variant took flight on 29 October 2021. The land-based variant emerged in 2023 and was officially debuted ahead of the 2024 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, receiving the designation J-35A. The introduction of the J-35 would make it the second Chinese fifth-generation fighter (after the Chengdu J-20) and China the only country other than the United States to equip two types of stealth fighters.

Development

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

In September 2011, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation presented the scale model of the FC-31, dubbed the "F-60" at an innovation competition held in Beijing.

In June 2012, a partially assembled F-60 was photographed in a police-escorted road transit through a national highway atop a truck and trailer, with its airframe heavily overwrapped by camouflage covering. Initially, military observers speculated the subject in transit was the Hongdu JL-10 trainer aircraft. A few days later, pictures of a fully assembled fighter aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on the internet, with the new aircraft displaying stealth characteristics, the registration number "31001" on the front fuselage. Military observers gave temporary names to the aircraft, such as J-21, J-31, or F-60. Several features were also noted, such as the more conventional airframe design with trapezoidal wings (instead of the canard-delta configuration of the Chengdu J-20) and twin nose wheels, leading to the speculation that F-60 could become a carrier-borne aircraft in the future.

On 31 October 2012, The first prototype made its maiden flight, accompanied by a J-11 serving as the chase aircraft.

Shenyang FC-31
In November 2012, The aircraft was officially revealed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012, with the designation Shenyang FC-31, following Chinese export fighter terminology and aircraft such as FC-1 and FC-20. A scale model of the FC-31 was displayed inside the exhibition hall.

On 12 November 2014, the FC-31 prototype performed its first public flight demonstration at Zhuhai Airshow 2014. The prototype was fitted with two Klimov RD-93 engines. Reuben Johnson of Aviation International News noted the prototype was not optimized in its flight performance. The author also noted that another model with modified details was displayed inside the exhibition hall.

In 2015, the FC-31 model was displayed first time at a foreign military trade expo, at Dubai Airshow. AVIC official told Aviation Week that the company was pushing the aircraft for export while negotiating with the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army for further development. Some additional details were given by the FC-31's designer, including its stealth capabilities, payload, and operational range. The aircraft was intended to serve as a competitor to the Lockheed Martin F-35 on the export market, especially for countries which cannot join the F-35 program or afford the American fighter.

There were also persistent rumors of the FC-31 being developed into a carrier-based naval fighter. In 2015, the FC-31's chief designer Sun Cong suggested that FC-31 would succeed Shenyang J-15 in operating on China's aircraft carriers.

In 2015, Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company marketed its EOTS-86 infra-red search and track as a possible addition to the FC-31.

In November 2016, AVIC released a promotional video of an FC-31 prototype, displaying the refinement in construction quality from earlier prototypes.

On 23 December 2016, the second prototype of the FC-31 took flight. The second prototype features several revisions and upgrades to the aircraft design. The inefficient RD-93 engine was replaced by two smokeless WS-13E engines, the canopy was changed from the two-piece design to a reinforced single-piece glass, and the control surface configuration was overhauled, now with clipped and swept vertical tails instead of the trapezoid tails. Other improvements included modifications to the vertical stabilizers, wings, and airframe, an electro-optical targeting system, a larger payload, improvements in stealth, and upgraded electronics. This airframe was eventually painted in low-visibility color with pennant number '31003', leading to speculations of an unseen static test prototype being the '31002'. This prototype was not featured in the Zhuhai Airshow of 2016. Still, a cockpit model with a sidestick controller, multifunctional touchscreen displays, and a heads-up display was showcased in the AVIC booth.

The real '31001' prototype aircraft was displayed on the ground in Shenyang, China in 2016. It was displayed again at Zhuhai Airshow 2018, implying China no longer deemed first prototype sensitive technologically.

On 21 November 2018, the Aviation Week reported that People's Liberation Army (PLA) has taken interest in the Shenyang FC-31.

Shenyang J-35
In June 2020, the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, the research wing of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), announced that a "new fighter" is under development and will make its maiden flight in 2021. This "new fighter" was theorized by media and military analysts as the navalized version of the Shenyang FC-31. Due to the lack of an official announcement, military analysis hypothetically designated this variant as 'J-35' or 'J-XY'. New reports indicated that the new variant would feature a bigger radome, navalized functions, and different alignments of control surfaces to reduce the radar signature.

In June 2021, a mock-up of the FC-31 (J-35) prototype was spotted parked on top of China's carrier test facility, which simulates the flight deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier. Analysts believe the J-35 could serve in China's future Type 003 aircraft carrier, as well as launched with ski-jump on China's older carriers, complementing the fleet of Shenyang J-15. In July 2021, a static FC-31 with opened weapons bay was displayed inside the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation Expo Park. Analysts noted the similarity of the weapons bay dimension between Chengdu J-20 and FC-31, which means the fighter could accommodate PL-15 missiles and other armaments in similar quantities.

On 29 October 2021, the modified carrier-based variant of the FC-31, tentatively named J-35, conducted its maiden flight. This new prototype, in blue-green primer paint, features a major redesign. A catapult launch bar and folding wing mechanisms were added, intended for operating on the Type 003 aircraft carrier with its electromagnetic catapult system. A chin-mounted sensor turret, similar to the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) on F-35, is featured. The canopy was modified, blending in with the upper fuselage, allowing for more internal fuel load, aerodynamic advantages, and potential to mount sensors behind the cockpit. The overall shape of the first J-35 prototype indicated a developmental lineage from the second prototype of the FC-31.

On 22 July 2022, the J-35 prototype '350003' was spotted by military analysts. This new prototype was reportedly the second flying prototype and the third overall prototype of the navalized J-35 variant. The new prototype was also painted in the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) grey camouflage, with the PLAN's 'flying shark' logo visible on its vertical stabilizers. The '350003' features sawtooth edges for compartment panels, seamless exteriors, and new engines, reportedly WS-21 or WS-13X, which is a further development of the WS-13E mounted on the second prototype of the FC-31. This engine is fitted with pronounced, serrated exhaust nozzles, helping to reduce rearward radar and infrared signatures. A video of the prototype flying was recorded on the same day.

In March 2023, the People's Liberation Army Navy released a recruitment video, teasing about the service's future carrier aircraft, which included a rough outline of the FC-31.

In August 2023, a J-35 prototype was spotted test flying with landing gear extended in China. On 8 December 2023, a mock-up of the J-35 was spotted on the deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier, which was recently launched and preparing for sea trials at her homeport.

On 26 September 2023, the land-based variant of the J-35, tentatively named the J-31 by defense analysts, made its first flight. The land-based variant was distinguished by its smaller wing surface area, single nose wheel, and non-clipped wings, different from the earlier J-35 prototype.

On 13 February 2024, a full-size mockup of the navalized J-35 fighter was spotted aboard China's aircraft carrier Liaoning, under evaluation for potential use on the aircraft deck. The test of the J-35 on Liaoning signified that the fighter is intended to operate not only on catapult-equipped Type 003 but also the older ski-jump (STOBAR) carriers. Analysts also believed the smaller size and lighter weight of the J-35 could provide operational advantages on the Liaoning and Shandong. A few days later on 29 February 2024, the Liaoning embarked to the sea, carrying the J-35 mock-up for further testing. On 13 March 2024, military analysts noted the third flying prototype of the J-35 testing near Shenyang's facilities.

On 5 November 2024, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) officially announced the J-35A, the air force variant of the J-35, would attend the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024 held in the same month. The close-up photograph of the J-35A showcased by the PLAAF was painted in grey paint with the Air Force's roundel with the number '75' engraved on the vertical stabilizers, celebrating PLAAF's 75th anniversary. Photographs confirmed the differences with earlier naval J-35 on wing size, nose wheel, and vertical stabilizer design. On 12 November 2024, the J-35A conducted its first public flight performance at the Zhuhai Airshow.

Design

Overview
The Shenyang J-35 development program was initiated as the Shenyang FC-31 project, an export-oriented demonstrator funded by private ventures. There were constant revisions between the prototypes and the later models supported by the Chinese military as different parties had divergent demands and requirements. The navalized J-35 and land-based J-35A were also developed in parallel with different missions and roles, corresponding to their intended operational environment. In total, there were four notable variants of the FC-31/J-35 development cycle, including the first flying prototype '31001', referred as FC-31 V1 by analysts; The second flying prototype '31003', often referred as FC-31 V2; and the two variants of the land- and carrier-based J-35 fighters.

The Shenyang FC-31 is a medium-sized aircraft, smaller than the Chengdu J-20, and designed to complement the latter with a lower cost and simpler operations. The twinjet aircraft features a conventional configuration with a blended body and a chiseled nose section, followed by forward-swept intake ramp, diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) bumps, trapezoidal wings with leading/trailing-edge flaps, all-moving tail-planes, and two canted swept-back vertical stabilizers (the first prototype has triangle stabilizers) with truncated rudders (full-length rudders on the naval J-35). The initial prototype featured a two-piece canopy, later replaced by a single-piece bubble canopy on the second prototype and the clamshell-type canopy on the J-35 variants.

The FC-31 prototype has a twin-wheel nose landing gear, giving provision for the fighter's navalizetion as a carrier-based fighter. The twin-wheel design was late preserved in the naval Shenyang J-35 design, with catapult launch bar added. The naval J-35 also features handholds inside the cockpit, folded wings, and a recovery tailhook to operate on the aircraft carrier. On the land-based Shenyang J-35A, the wheel section is replaced by a single-wheel design, and the variant also features a smaller wing area and different vertical stabilizers. Though two variants have separate missions and roles, the shared platform allows easier cross-service joint operations, according to the AVIC.

Stealth
The Shenyang FC-31 features low-observable aircraft designs, focusing on the reduction of the radar cross-section (RCS). To achieve stealth, the control surfaces are edge-aligned, and engine blades are hidden by the serpentine inlets (S-ducts) behind the diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI) bumps, which obscure the reflective surface of the engine from radar detection. The airframe and its internal weapons bay, compartment doors, and embedded antennas are lined with sawtooth edges and covered with radar-absorbent coating materials, both structurally "baked in" and applied externally. The early prototype featured simple round engine nozzles, which were redesigned on the later models with serrated edges to reduce radar and infrared signatures. AVIC claims the aircraft is stealthy against L-band and Ku-band radars, and would be low-observable against many multi-spectrum sensors. The Shenyang J-35 inherits the FC-31 design with a smooth surface and low-observable characteristics. A radar reflector (Luneburg lens) is fitted underneath the J-35 to mask its signatures.

Avionics
The Shenyang FC-31 and Shenyang J-35 are fitted with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with a distributed aperture system (DAS) serving as an optical early-warning system and infrared search and track (IRST). The radar advertised for the FC-31 prototype is the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET) KLJ-7A, which is reportedly similar to performance of the AN/APG-81. Under the chin, the fighter is fitted with a electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) turret. Inside the cockpit, there is a sidestick controller, a conventional heads up display, and a large single-piece multi-function touchscreen display (MFD) of  in size. The pilot is also provided with a helmet-mounted display and sight (HMD/S) system, comparable to that of Striker system made by BAE Systems. The flight control system is fully digitalized, with triple redundancy modules and twin data bus. The aircraft is intended to serve as a node in the network of elements with other platforms.

Engines
Two prototypes of the FC-31 and the later Shenyang J-35 use different engine options. The earliest prototype is fitted with Klimov RD-93 engines. The RD-93 engine was reportedly inefficient, leading to the aircraft to exhale black-colored exhausts. Replacing the engine with a more efficient, indigenous choices became a priority for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The second FC-31 prototype is fitted with the domestic Guizhou WS-13E engine, an improved variant of the Guizhou WS-13 that powered the JF-17, providing  of maximum thrust. The WS-13E engine is smokeless and more efficient than the RD-93.

The further developed Shenyang J-35 is powered by the Guizhou WS-21 engine, also known as the WS-13X, a derivative and upgrade of the WS-13E. The WS-21 provides  of thrust, serving as an interim powerplant for the early production J-35. The intended definitive powerplant for the J-35 is the Guizhou WS-19, an engine capable of producing approximately  of thrust with a higher thrust-to-weight ratio. The J-35 is reportedly capable of supercruise with the WS-19 engines fitted.

The FC-31 is equipped with a retractable refueling probe for inflight refueling. The aircraft can achieve a short-take off distance of  and a landing distance of .

Armaments and payload

The Shenyang FC-31 has a lengthened centerline internal weapons bay with a dimension similar to that of Chengdu J-20. The weapons bay has six internal hardpoints. Externally, the fighter has six hardpoints on the wings. The first FC-31 prototype can reportedly carry  of payload in total, split between the internal carrying capabilities of  and external carrying capacity of . Under the regular combat load, the fighter has a combat radius of  and maximum take-off weight of . On the second prototype, the maximum take-off weight is increased to  along with a modified fuselage.

Inside the weapons bay, the J-35 can carry six air-to-air missiles, such as PL-10, PL-15 and PL-21. Aside from air-superiority loadouts, the internal bay can also carry precision-strike munitions, with maximum provisions for twelve small diameter bombs, four large deep-penetration bombs of , four supersonic land-attack missiles, or four anti-radition/anti-ship missiles. Externally, the wings allow the maximum provisions of six air-to-air missiles, 18 small bombs, four large bombs of , or four land-attack missiles. Presumably, the operator can mix the combinations of armaments according to the missions.

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. 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 prototype No. 31001 on 30 October 2012, China became the second nation after the United States to have two stealth fighter designs in field testing at the same time. The aircraft has continued a limited test program, with footage emerging of further flights that took place in February 2013.

On 23 December 2016, the second prototype of the FC-31, No. 31003, took its maiden flight. The second prototype featured a modified airframe, with different engines, cockpit, wings, avionics, electronics, and overall dimensions. The aircraft length was increased from  to  and the maximum take-off weight was increased from  to . A static prototype, No. 31002, presumably existed. The No. 31003 was commonly referred to as the FC-31 V2 by military analysts to distinguish it from the earlier prototype.

On 29 October 2021, the third flying prototype of the FC-31, tentatively named J-35, conducted its maiden flight. The variant featured catapult launch bar, folding wing mechanisms, modified canopy. Overall, the "J-35" prototype was largely seen as the developmental continuation of the FC-31 V2.

On 22 July 2022, the fourth flying prototype, No. '350003', took its maiden flight. it's reportedly the second flying prototype and the third overall prototype of the "J-35" variant, featuring the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) grey camouflage, a more prominent stealth design, and new engines.

On 26 September 2023, the land-based variant of the J-35, with a different wing and landing gear design, made its first flight. No aircraft designation number was shown.

On 13 March 2024, another prototype of the J-35 reportedly flew near Shenyang Aircraft Corporation facilities.

Variants
FC-31
Prototype
J-31B Gyrfalcon
Variant unveiled by Chinese state media in July 2024.  The J-31B was depicted in the video as significantly larger than the FC-31 prototype, and will have side weapon bays each capable of carrying at least two missiles in addition to a main bay.  The aircraft was reported by Nikkei as being a naval variant, stating that it is expected to be deployed on the aircraft carrier Fujian.  However, an expert quoted by South China Morning Post believed that the J-31B is more likely intended for the People's Liberation Army Air Force.
J-35
Naval variant, with folded wings and catapult-launch bars.
J-35A
Land–based variant.

Strategic implications 
U.S. military and industry officials believe that once the FC-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 FC-31 against the newest fighters, such as the U.S. F-22 and F-35, would depend on factors such as quantity of the platforms, quality of pilots, and capabilities of radars and other sensors. Western commentaries also focus on the export potential of the aircraft, suggesting that the FC-31 could be attractive to countries which cannot afford the American fighters or face Western export restrictions.

Regional rivals, including India (HAL AMCA) and Japan (Mitsubishi F-X), were 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.

Some experts have emphasized the FC-31's resemblance to the Lockheed Martin F-35 including their similar size, roles, and wing-tail configurations. In 2013, Defense Acquisitions Chief Frank Kendall told a Senate hearing that stolen F-35 data helped U.S. rivals speed up their own fifth-generation fighter projects. In a 2015 article for the Diplomat, Franz-Stefan Gady said that documents leaked to Der Spiegel provided the first public confirmation of theft of top secret data of the Joint Strike Fighter program by Chinese hackers. However, the copying allegation is also called into question by other experts who cite design difference between the two planes. In 2014, David Bignell writing for Air Power Australia said that contrary to the F-35 theft accusation, the FC-31 was modelled on the F-22. In 2012, Vladimir Barkovsky of Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG said that while the FC-31 incorporated features from the F-35, the plane's overall design is "not a copy but a well done indigenous design."

Articles by the War Zone and Popular Mechanics said there were limits to how far comparisons between the F-35 and J-35 could be made. As evidence, they cited differences in their design structure, internal subsystems, and operational requirements. Writing for The Diplomat, Rick Joe said that design similarities between the two planes might have been more a product of convergence of form of fifth-generation fighters rather than cyberespionage and that whether the J-35 actually benefitted from cyber espionage against the Joint Strike Fighter program would require detailed forensics of both planes.

Operators 
 
 People's Liberation Army Air Force: (planned)
 People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (planned)
 Fujian (18) (planned)

Potential operators
 
In January 2024, Pakistan announced its intent to acquire the J-31 stealth aircraft, thus, potentially becoming the first export customer for the J-31. On 3 August 2024, Pakistan's news source reported that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots are currently undergoing training on the J-31 fighter aircraft in China. The news of pilot training on the J-31 itself, however, suggests that Pakistan may be considering acquiring the more advanced J-35A variant, rather than just its export counterpart.

 
In 2024, Egypt is in talks with China to potentially buy FC-31 fighter jets.

Specifications (FC-31 V2 Prototype)
The specifications denote the FC-31 prototype in development, they are approximate, preliminary, and may not be representative of the Shenyang J-35 variants.

See also

Notes

References

External links 

Stealth aircraft
Shenyang aircraft
Twinjets
2020s Chinese fighter aircraft
Mid-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 2021
Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear