The J-31 is a 5th generation mid-sized twinjet fighter aircraft, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It is currently being ramped up for test flights. We'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this aircraft. In this article, we will also discuss its AVIC designation, weight disadvantages, and Land-based variant.
AVIC designation
The first Chinese fighter jet has been revealed. It's known as Shenyang J-31. It debuted at 2014 Zhuhai Air Show. It was a big hit at the show, which was open for the public. Although the jet is still in development by China, Chinese authorities have permitted it to be publicly displayed. It will be displayed at Dubai Airshow next week.
The J-31 could join the J-20. Both aircraft will operate in high-altitude and low-altitude flight modes. This is very similar the US Air Force’s mix. It is also expected that it will serve on the aircraft carriers for the future Chinese navy. It is also expected to be exported from China to Pakistan, where it could help counter India's acquisitions of stealth fighters.
Weight disadvantages
China's new J-31 aircraft combines both carrier and land-based missions. The J-31 is similar to F-35 in its design, but it is lighter and easier to maneuver. It does not have the F-35 stealth and sensor suite. This is why it is still considered to be a niche aircraft.
The J-31 is very restricted in its internal weapons bays. It's difficult to transport useful weapons. It appears to be designed for A2A and anti-ship missiles. The J-31 could be combined to meet carrier-borne landing requirements with J-15s in early-service. The J-31 doesn't face the same design challenges than the F-35 which must develop both a VTOL and a conventional flight variant.
Option for those who live on the land
There are a few things to keep in mind when developing a land-based variant of the J-31. First, the aircraft has a limited range. The Russian RD93 engine is used for landing flights but is not sufficient for carrier operations.
PLA Air Force might be interested in a land-based J-31 variant as a medium-weight fighter. It could be used to complement the J-20 and J-10 fighter aircraft fleets, or replace the fourth-generation J-10/J-11 fighters. It is not yet clear if this type of aircraft will become a production item.
Future production plans
The J-31 stealth aircraft prototype flew its first flight on December 26, 2016. It will soon start production testing. It is expected to enter service with the People's Liberation Army sometime in the next year. The PLA branch it will serve is not known, but the potential exists.
The J-31 fighter is fifth-generation. It can fly at speeds of up to two-and half times those of an F-16. The service ceiling for the J-31 is approximately 20,000 meters. It was developed initially as a demonstration model and is currently being designed to replace the Shenyang J-15 carriers fighters, which were considered white elephants by the Chinese military. China's Aircraft Corporation has been developing it. It is expected that it will be in service in 2024.