New pictures show second Chinese stealth fighter being test flown
WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN has obtained detailed photographs of a new stealth fighter being tested in China.
It is the second such stealth fighter China has tested in as many years and appears destined to become the communist nation's future aircraft carrier-based fighter jet, according to weapons analysts.
The plane, dubbed by outsiders as the J-31, was test flown Tuesday in Shenyang. According to the analysts, the two photographs obtained by CNN appear to have been leaked by officials in China.
J-31 Chinese fighter jet. (Photo cjdby.net)
"It has to be an official photographer because nobody else can get that close to the airplane," said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org. "These are all publicity photos from the factory, and I could not imagine that the factory would publicize these things without somebody higher up in the food chain authorizing it."
Richard Fisher, a senior fellow in Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center (IASC), agrees these are not pictures sent out surreptitiously by some Chinese aviation aficionado. "The Internet censors are controlling this process, have no doubt that."
But Fisher said the reason for the release may not be as threatening as some might imagine.
"It's being done in a way to help promote pro-military nationalism in China. There's just a huge, large audience in China for this kind of information. It's kind of like NASCAR."
No matter who let the pictures go public, they won't answer all the questions surrounding China's fighter program. "They don't want to reveal anything that's truly useful to a foreign military or intelligence service," Fisher said.
In January 2011, China tested the J-20, a fighter jet with stealth characteristics, much like the American F-22.
J-20 Chinese fighter jet. (Photo from IHS/Janes)
Fisher said the J-31 appears be a lighter fighter jet similar to the American F-35.
"The J-20 is the heavy stealth fighter, (The J-31) is going to be the medium-weight stealth fighter. It's very much in the same vein as the F-22 versus the F-35, with the Raptor, the F-22 being the heavy fifth-generation fighter for the U.S. Air Force versus the medium-weight F-35."
Pike said that could be the case, but it may be that China is test flying both prototypes and will choose just one to put into production.
While these are both fifth-generation fighter jets, that doesn't put them on par with America's two newest fighters.
For example, Pike said China's jet engines just don't come close to American engines. "This is a sucking chest wound of Chinese military aviation."
Pike said the primary Chinese military jet engine is based on an American design. "We started development of this engine back in the '60s. Then they commercialized it in the 1970s. Then the Chinese got a hold of it 20 years ago and it's still no good. It's a half century-old design that they've been working on for two decades, and it's still no good."
Fisher has a higher opinion of that engine. "It's not entirely true that China is currently facing massive problems. They've actually had some measure of success."
And Fisher said China appears to be developing a brand new engine for the J-31. "The engines that will likely power the J-31 we do know a bit more about. Those engines were actually revealed at the Zhuhai show in 2008," Fisher said referring to an annual China air show. He believes the new J-31 engine is undergoing preliminary testing.
Another problem is the stealth characteristics of the plane.
The J-31 is designed to have a stealthy shape. "From the side profile, it really looks like a 75% (scale) F-22 from the bottom, and the top profile it very much looks like an F-35."
The J-31 may have the stealth coatings that help it absorb radar signals instead of letting them bounce off and give away its position.
But Pike explained the plane has wide seams where different parts of the plane come together. "The seams form something the radar can bounce off of. I'm looking at some close-ups of the J-31 and it's seamy. It's got all kinds of seams and ripples on the skin."
Fisher agreed. "Yes, that's definitely a fair assessment, but what we can say is that it will have a definite low-observable capability, that's for sure."
While it may start out as a land-based fighter, Pike and Fisher both said it could become China's carrier-based fighter jet when the nation builds a second, catapult-based carrier. Their first carrier, currently undergoing sea tests, uses a ski-jump style flight deck to launch planes.
So should America start worrying about these new fighters ?
"Who else do you think these airplanes were designed to fight?" Pike said. "If the Chinese think that their military is a lot stronger than anybody else in the neighborhood, then they're going to throw their weight around."
Pike estimated the J-31 might become a threat in 2027. "You would expect to see the Chinese stealth fighter enter operational service, I don't know, 15 years from now."
Fisher is predicting much sooner.
"My estimate is that the J-31 will start entering squadron service in four to five years."
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
As an aeronautical engineer who works for the company that made the F-22 and is currently producing the F-35, I feel I need to explain something here.
To those spouting off about this being a "knock off" or copy of the F-22/35, you need to understand a thing or two about aircraft.
First, for a specified set of performance criteria there is going to be an optimum design space, and based on current technology the most efficient designs are very likely to have similar characteristics. That's just a natural result of the laws of physics, which in turn dictate aerodynamics, thermodynamics, structural mechanics, and so on down the line. This is especially true when you add the requirement for stealth, using current technology there are even fewer options in terms of geometry.
Second, a critical part of preliminary design is to consider historical designs with similar requirements and compare your derived results against them. The F-22 and F-33 are probably aircraft with similar requirements, don't you think so? Any good aeronautical engineering team would do that, no matter what nation-state they may be born into or what race they are.
What are you people expecting to see that would not make it a "knock off," I wonder? Anti-gravity generators? Fusion engines? Something more like what you would see in a science fiction film? Get real. The J-20 design actually does use canards, which the F-22 does not. Not that you all spewing about copying would even know what that means.
You would be amazed what stepping back and considering your position might do for you, rather than regressing to arrogant jingoism, most likely rooted in racism and ignorant fear.
Yeah, I am sure the Chinese would NEVER copy anything we make here in the US like computers, electronics, CD's, DVD's, games, etc etc etc etc. You need to do some reading in your spare time and put that slide rule away.
He's not saying they aren't stealing. He's saying it wouldn't be necessary. The arrogance to think others cannot eventually pull off what we do is dangerous.
Thank you. As a non aeronautical engineer but still blessed with a brain it's pretty obvious what some of the fundamental characteristics of low observable aircraft are. I'm sure the Chinese are stealing technology as fast as they can but I see nothing (from the outside) in these designs that could not be figured out. I'm actually a bit surprised at certain "lumps" near flight controls though. In those spots It seems like they engineered down some dead end path and got stuck. The rounded exhaust also seems like a big compromise on R&D cost vs effectiveness. If it shaved years off of development time then maybe it's worth the tradeoff. Dunno.
We've got some amazing (and expensive) stuff but if our aerospace industry thought it was the only one in the world that could pull this off we would be in real trouble. I'm glad our professionals have more respect for our potential adversaries than the rock banging ethnic slurring monkeys I see in these posts.
I am troubled by how much some commentators are blinded by their racism and bigotry, you can easily deduce that they are just low level simpletons, and should be forgiven.
I think you're exactly right, I'm no expert on low observable techniques, but there are parts of this design that don't look too stealthy. I don't know if there is an advantage to "partial stealth," but indeed the engineers working this probably did do a trade study and cost-benefit analysis. If spending years on radar cross section testings was going to seriously delay the program, then it just doesn't make sense to compromise. It might even be conceivable that the plane isn't really stealth at all, just looks like it because they got so far down the development cycle that they decided to keep what they had engineered rather than do a total redesign as non-stealth.
Interesting and educational comment from an insider.
I was thinking along the same line, but do not have the technical background to present in layman terms as you so ably did.
Thank you for the information.
This is great!
Finally the chinese are going to make home delivery faster; better than using a moped. Too bad we still have to wait four years. Be nice if they can also put those nice uniforms in use 🙂
Romney sold them the plans after shipping jobs to them.
Nah, a Chinese college exchange student went to the nearest Toys R Us and bought a Revell model which has all the necessary specs. Thought you knew....
It may be made in China but take a close look don't it look like one of our own? This should tell you a thing or two the Chines will steal any thing they can get there hands on. I'll still put my money on our boys an there training on how much better flyer they are compared to the slant eyes. `It may look good on the out side but what counts is it any good where you can see the insides it may be only spit a bailing wire on the in side.
Ethnic slurs merely convey insecurity and stupidity and therefore weakness. Everything on the outside of this could be engineered using the most rudimentary knowledge of stealth. While I am certain the Chinese have a strong espionage program I see nothing here that need be stolen to be achieve. I am also not really impressed with what they have come up with. It has obvious flaws for a low observable aircraft. The mediocre F-35 looks better.
Aren't the Chinese violating some of the major patents owned by US Govt and other defence contractors ?
Josh, it's time to face reality. You are a Chinese liar. Not an American named Josh. Now get to work making those shoes please.
soon we will have to buy these from china
Sure why not ? Walmart is already working on a manufacturing and delivery model.
Google the status of Chinese aircraft carrier. You will get a really good laugh at it. According to the Russian experts, Chinese aircraft carrier will never be operational.
So, just relax!
and take it easy.
This might compete with an F-16 🙂 Sorry China.
It looks more like a bomber...
That's too generous in my opinion. Chinese radar, avionics, and missiles are quite inferior compared to the American counterpart. The biggest factor of all is the quality of pilots. Chinese pilots are like truck drivers compared to Americans or even their adversaries across the strait. F-22 piloted by truck driver will still get defeated by F-16 with well trained pilot.
And you know this how?
"Chinese pilots are like truck drivers...", common dude give them a break !
It looks like a bad F18 copy with some lead based paint job fresh out of a can. Larry Shaughnessy should know better than to pass this as information.
Does it come as a shock to anyone that China does not protect intellectual property when the government itself sponsors cyber espionage and steal from defense contractors?
Ah, yes. Walmart just announced they'll have both models for sale on Dec. 1 with a terrific maintenance contract at $180. Still, it is important to note that because of noise, these two planes cannot be flown supersonic over your neighborhood. Great bargains just in time for Xmas!
Did you read the fine print ? You are on your own, to ship your jets to China for service.
The fact that we're seeing pictures of it on CNN? I'd say its 'stealth' aspect is in doubt (ha ha)....
Oh and for those worried about the Yellow Peril getting the foot up on military tech, remember the F22 came into service in 2005 – the China 5th gen is still 5 years from service that puts it somewhere like 2017 before it will be operational and by then it will be obsolete.
They don't even know how to make an engine that was 50 years old in technology.
These jets are being mass produced in Area J-31.
Says who? the guy quoted in the story? Where does he get his inside information? THINK. I am not saying the engines are not inferior, if I had to guess I'd say they probably are, but I'm not going to go talking to "journalists" and let them quote me on it.
I always feel good seeing how much other countries fighter planes look like USA fighters... means they are copying and if they are copying they are always one step behind, or in China's case I would say 10 steps lol
Ha ha...:)
The last original idea to come out of China was gunpowder.
Underestimate your enemy at your peril.
OMG, so they were mass killing people even during those good old days too !
http://www.infosecisland.com/blogview/14038-RSAs-SecurID-Hack-Leads-to-Lockheed-Network-Disruption.html
Can you say "espionage" ... I knew you could.
well I guess sooner or later this would happen. china cloning other nations stuff. if you look at china's military inventory Everything they have is cloned from other countries. or using parts from A and B to build something.
Itn't it easier to jam their technology then ?
@Sparky;
Did you know that the F-15 has never ever been bested in Air-to-Air combat. It and the F-18a Super Hornet are the only jets to come close to besting the F-22 in mock combat exercises and I believe they are the only ones with verified "kills" on the Raptor (these exercises have featured other 4th and 5th gen aircraft from other countries). The reason for the kills? Not the tech, or the aircraft themselves, but the pilots. That is what China is missing (as is most other countries other than Isreal), they do not have the training or the experience to come close to touching any US pilot.
I would say that these are fake to some descriptions. I've seen pictures of Chinese aircraft before that weren't supposed to be released and they used their own numerical characters, not English ones. So either these are fake, or someone intended them to be leaked.
actually the f15 and f18 in mock combat never have gotten a 'kill" on it the f22 take on the f15 2 to 16 and win every time. what you are thinking of is the war games with britian and germany that took place in alaska, when they set the parameters to only dog fighting the f22 didnt have a major advantage over the euro fighter. it was pilot skill that determined who won
Jason, as a 30 year AF Vet! Thank you! That is why people need to get off of the "Iran and Syria" bandwagon. We can take them out in air anytime we want; by air, sea etc. We got better things to worry about.
Made in China – that about says it all.
What have they got that they didn't steal from us? Nada ,zilch , zip....
They probably got it from Israel – Israel has been stealing US military technology since the late 1940s. Israel sold F-16s, and probably many more US military technologies to China.
Sigh...here we go again...another hater of Israel. Israel is our number one ally in the middle east. We give them planes to fight their enemies because they are OUR enemies too. If Israel didn't exist, all the mullahs would be attacking us instead.
thats not true. we sold those jets to isreal. and what we sold to them was a watered down version some 30 plus years ago. we sell many planes to many nations. and the F-16 is not a special plane either.
Israel doesn't have to steal US technology, they are quite capable on their own. Nearly every US jet fighter and most NATO planes are flying with Israeli technology that is superior to anything in the world. The reason I know this is that I worked for 20 years for the company that put it on our jets. You're just another Israel bashing propagandist and probably an anti-Semite. Go back to your fake news sites
The scale of our contribution to Israel’s military is staggering. According to a Congressional Research Service report to Congress in 2009, Israel had already received $58.6 billion in military aid since World War II. Incredibly, in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2007, the U.S. government has promised Israel an additional $30 billion in Foreign Military Financing from 2009 to 2018. A quarter of this money is being used to subsidize their defense industries. Their defense industries sell weapons to countries in direct conflict to U.S. interests.
People ask why we put so much money into the Military, that picture of a Chinese fighter should tell the story. Remember that thanks to the debt that the United States is now owing the Chinese government they can afford that technology, those stimulus dollars are doing really good for the country that lent the United States money. It's good to see that someone got the money, to bad it was not put to good use in the United States like Mr. Obama said it would.
The Chinese finance fully 20% of government funds from import taxes. Consider that on your next trip to Walmart.
It was used for a good cause actually. A lot of the deficit went to bailing out the banking and auto industries, saving them from collapse which would have caused definite deviation were they to go under like Mitt Romney suggested. Obama also put more money into the economy to keep money flowing which leads to greater and quicker economic growth, simple economics really. The largest amount of unnecessary spending came at the behest of Bush who entered a multi-trillion dollar war that we entered under false pretenses.
Oh no, the Chinese have a stealth jet, we better triple our military spending!
Don't worry, they still have to come up with their healthy-stealthy jet.
This piece must be written by Reagan era reporter. It is so stale.
Does appear to be true stealth tech... Also, there's no foreign craft in existence that can match our UFOs. 😉
Damm.. Soppose to be 'Doesn't appear to be...'
They can't match 'em because we can't identify them. But I think you might be forgetting the molemen's death ray.
It's close to an F-35 because the Chinese hackers downloaded the whole schlemeil from US Computers. Their nuclear warheads are our state of the art designs, stolen from Los Alamos under the Clinton administration (Reno was silent and sat on cries for help from Los Alamos), and their latest fighter is our state of the art design, stolen from DOD under the Obama administration (a reign of manchurian treason, for shure).
And your proof of these claims is ... ?
Based on both photos showing the aircraft flying with the landing gear in the down position, I'd have to say the photos are excellent quality shots of a toy RC aircraft.
compare it to a J-11 Flanker
http://www.china-defense-mashup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/j-31-9.jpg
When can i get this in a Walmart ? Is it durable and last long? 🙂
Or it's another fine example of Chinese "inginuity". This is a knock off, after all.
Someone call Clint Eastwood... we're ready to start filming Firefox 2.
J-20 looks more like Firefox.
http://img13.poco.cn/mypoco/myphoto/20121102/10/6621061420121102101137075.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/551Jv.jpg
Forget Clint Eastwood ... call Jackie Chan!
LOL!!
"communist nation"
ha, good one
I dont get it. If they can fly one of these suckers, why are the Chinese totally incapable of driving a car?
Do you know how to blind a Chinese person? Put a windshield in front of him.
Oh, you.
Yes, just enjoy your life while you can.
Is that a national threat ?
There is no such thing as an Oriental driver. When an Oriental gets behind the wheel, they immediately become disoriented!
It's George Bush's fault! ... somehow it must be!
Disregard that. I suck cox.
The chi coms have been known to wing tip commercial aircraft. In modern times!
I don't know how stealthy an aircraft with two CLEARLY visible exhausts is going to be!
Yeah those are bad. It's like having two disco balls on the back of it.
I dont care what China flies...Chinese pilots are NO match against combat experienced US pilots...
Because they're Asian?
It's Made in China..stay away!
The world's first aircraft made entirely out of lead. It costs about .004 cents to manufacture a batch of 70. A spokesman for the Chinese government remarked that he expects these jets to be operational for at least half of the time it takes to deliver it to the millitary bases, A great improvement over the previous lifespan of "Never fully assembled."
If this really becomes a problem we could always just have Isreal NUKE them.
Had to be one israel comment.
What? They're our pals and they're the only country that HASN'T AGREED to stope nukin' folks. I'm sure that if the time comes they'll have our backs.
And India too 🙂
We do remember the Bismark that kicked the Hoods stufff! And half the British fleet?
Yes but Germany is a small country. China is America sized.
IIsn't China bigger than America?
China has mass but no quality. It will not be made up in the next few generation.
Size doesn't matter. It's all about endurance. You gotta keep it up until the end of the conflict. And that's where babies come from.
Size DOES matter, just like choosing your partner. China has survived for more than 5000 years with triumph and defeat and is still thriving. For US, so far a little over 200 years?
This looks like a cheap Chinese knockoff of the F-22..... wait LOL
Hmm, nice original design!
I wonder which US president sold THOSE secrets to China!
Definitely Bush.
Clinton sold a lot of things to the Chinese including nuclear power plant plans, Ill say it was obama.
People need to realize that the same people running china use to publicly torture people 40 years ago. go to you tube and look at the photos.
This is ridiculous!! Could this fighter not look more like our F-22. Does our military care about the chinese stealing our technology!!. There goes all our billions of tax dollars. Just so the chinese can copy our Sh&% like they do with everything else.
It is for shooting down F-22 jets in the event of an American uprising and some US fighter pilots defect.
And for strafing Tienanmen square protesters with great effectiveness.
Well, actually, its because all fighter designs eventually are narrowed down to the best one, and thats what they make. This design looks like ours because its the best design on which to base a fighter. Doesnt mean they stole it.
The basics of this do not require espionage, just some rudimentary reverse engineering from amateur photographs. You'll notice the hard stuff like the engines mentioned in this article are still lacking. Those round exhaust nozzles have more radar signature than the whole rest of the plane.
The US does not have a monopoly on brains. Others can figure this crap out.
I Fear that little Apache. I hate being targeted by her!!! Good grief!!
I don't see why so many people are getting their panties in a bunch. When you look under their jets it says "made in China." We all know what that means. Cheap!!
II don't think that F-22 can be beat. The F-35 is bad to the bone. The F-16 ,18 or any of the US teens will give anyone a run for their money. I kinda love the A-10..
And why do you think that? Ever seen a modern U.S. fighter face an equal opponent, such as MiG-29 or Su-35? It's good to be patriotic, but it is even better to have some facts and numbers to support that worthy sentiment.
Su-35 is downright scary.
I think what will ultimately beat the F-22 is cost. It is likely the greatest 5th generation fighter that will ever be made but it's costs are so crippling that someone else will get a 6th generation out before us. Might even have 7th before the f'n-35 makes it to service. (I exaggerate...some)
Well they put something out there that can fly. It can turn, and dance I suppose. But can it match an American fifth gen fighter in combat. I don't think so. Too bad, I know the Chinese take pride in their aircraft, but this thing is just an ugly knock-off. The need a true air-superiority fighter, nothing less. And with all that foreign reserve cash sitting in their vaults, they should be pressuring the Europeans to relax their European arms embargo, and do a joint design, one for Europe, one for China. Nah, methinks the racial bigotry is to high a wall to climb, but one can imagine.
China shall be saving America's butt in WW3.
Holy crap that is the funniest thing I have ever read!
This Yang Xi needs some meds. China is the enemy in WW3 dork
You must be a stranger to war. They know the rules and so do we. You think China won't give us? Then, sadly, they're gonna let you down! They're gonna run around with our enimies in the middle east and hurt our valuble position in the world! If that doesn't make you cry and you still don't wand to say goodbye to them, consider the following: China lies! Even if they say otherwise they'll just desert you when it suits them best!
The only thing that makes me think about it. Brute force. Its not the same if a squadron of 40 F35 meets a squadron of 200 J32. That is what fraction of 2 billion chinese can do in a heartbeat for 2 bucks an hour.
J-31 is officially known as the Goshawk.
Oop, it's Gyrfalcon, not Goshawk.
Amazing! Didn't realize our stealth program was a joint venture with the Chinese. So, let's all vote for Obama/Biden, cut our military spend, stop economic growth, increase inflation, stop small business opportunities and continue to F-A-I-L! Oh, let's ignaore diplomatic wires suggesting security threats from our embassies as well.
Give me a break. Wake up and smell the coffee America. It's not about, 'I've always voted Democrat;' or, 'I'm in a union, therefore four more years.' It's about getting OUR country back on track.
Romney/Ryan 2012
I'm actually in favor of all of those things you mentioned!
Romney/Ryan 2012/2016!
Make it even easier ... just listen to Fox News and believe everything they say. Ignore the facts, they'll just clash with the opinions in your head.
Jim, if you were black, I would say **** please! I did 3 tours in Iraq over bad foreign policy and intelligence. Go finish reading "Mein Kauf" and burn a cross!
IYAAYAS!
What do you mean a Latino pilot can compete against a Han Chinese pilot when you guys can't even drive a f car in china town.lol
Oh America keep investing in your enemies and give them the money and technology they need to destroy you one day.
The greed of America has blinded them.
Feed your enemy while your people starve.
And China has how many of these on Carriers?? None! And just because they can copy the outside shell, does not mean they can match what's under the hood. Until I see one of these F-35 fake replicas going VTOL, It means nothing...my R/C club has better jets than the Chinese. And if the quality is anything like what comes out of China then they might as well fight for us...
Ultimately, China's real issue is feeding it's people, which by Rice=arable land=water required...which is very known formula...they won't be able to feed themselves in a few years due to water shortages to grow rice...yes, while their shores sink in rising waters...so there. China's real problem is in China, not overseas...
If that is the Chinese excuse for a "stealth" fighter then we have nothing to worry about it. There is nothing stealthy about that design. At least not comparable to current U.S. stealth technology. Just because you paint it with black radar absorbing paint doesn't make it a stealth fighter.
It's going to be cheap for sure, F-35 is such a rip-off deal.
Lol looks just like the F-22 with fancy front wings to make it look chinese. Welp we know they hacked us again or you know....Went into the toy shops and learned stealth tech after 20 years.
Frankly, we'd best be wary of their capabilities. Several decades ago we figured the Soviets couldn't build anything better than a cruddy tractor. Next thing we know they're launching rockets better than our own. Now I'm not saying the Chinese aircraft are on par or better than ours. But I highly doubt they're using upgraded engines from a 50 year old design. I'd guess they've gotten hold of some newer Russian engines and have based anything new off those.
I'm more surprised it's taken them this long to start in with an aircraft carrier. Other smaller nations have had them for some time. Granted yes, maybe it's an old one France sold to so-and-so country (just for example), but still...
The Pacific is dotted with islands for hosting airfields. Aircraft carriers are not overly important because they cannot host stealthy planes because sea water damages radar absorbing paint.
Well, that's why Sailors do fresh water wash down on a regular basis. It keeps the salt off the paint. They do that for the ships too to help reduce rusting. So, the Chins definitely can use this plane to launch from a carrier.
Hey dum-dum, carriers are about power projection. How do you think toy take over those islands. Land locked thinking from the chinese 50 center.
Come on guys...think about it. America has spent the last 100 years kickin but flyin planes on the offensive in every corner of the globe while China has been on the defensive for 1000 years. All of the sudden China gets 1 carrier and a plane and we need to be scared? They may have a carrier...even if they had 10, we know how to use them.
Didn't the Chinese steal/buy a bunch of Sukhoi T-50 engines indirectly from the eastern european countries ? It looks like they might be putting them to good use.
nice angle here
http://i.imgur.com/FWpmr.jpg
So am I the only one who thinks that we should invest in ninjas? It only seems sensable.
Doesn't look too stealthy either
It's a freaking kite, we've been deceived!
Looks like an F-15 from the bottom and the back
A lead kite? I'm not buying it.
J-11 prototype escorted by a yellow J-11 Flanker
http://www.china-defense-mashup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/j-31-9.jpg
oops I meant J-31 prototype
Stop your $0.50 posting. The J-31 just another evil thing will be dropping bombs on its people when they raise up for freedom. Just one more cruelty when it comes to suppress its people, 1989/6/04, with AK-47s and tanks, now CP has stealth fighters. Pride or shame?
J-31 escorted by a yellow J-11 Flanker
F-22 and F-35 are non-functional money pits. F-22 has zero operational hours in any theater that matters. F-35 can't even crap its pants properly, it comes out its ears.
Chinese were fools to try to copy them. Like the Russians, let them go bankrupt in the process.
The F22 hasn't been used in combat yet because the guys we've fought so far can't even beat our 30 year old 4th gen fighters. Now that every nation has learned that the US can bomb the cr@p out of them at a moment's notice, they're scrambling to get some toys that can defeat the weapons that are currently in our inventory so should we go into another war, the new generation of weapons would come in handy.
Late-model Flankers like Su-30, Su-35, Su-37 can beat F-15. Everybody has Flankers now. Air force made a big point of saying the F-22 is what they need to stay ahead of especially these planes.
If they had working F-22s, they would show them off. Even "high-maintenance" F-117 was flying real sorties within 10 years of Lockheed getting the contract. First in Panama, when it wasn't even necessary, then in Desert Storm, where it did the job.
If there was a working F-22, it would be in a real theater by now. You haven't seen it because it can't make it.
F-35 is still years from being operational
The next big weapon to be copied and mass produced by China would be 'Iron Man'.
Sadly, the J-31 cannot fly as it is made entirely out of lead.
The chinese are just drooling to do the maintenance on American based airline aircraft and offering cheap prices. Who would ever guess that they want the specifications to duplicate our technology over and over again. They did it at the end of WWII by actually rebuilding B-20's right down to the metal patches on the sides! So we ship them the best we have and expect them to be honorable. Boy, have our leaders got a lot to learn but then again, what do you expect out of a Community Organizer with no international experience.
Um, wasn't that the Soviets, not the Chinese? And WTH is the "B-20"? Just clueless ...
I wonder if they ship them in clamshell packaging like the rest of their trash.
You mean like 90% of the stuff you own?
BURN!
So is this meant to be public or do we have spies trolling the Chinese?
public
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/741613.shtml
WTH? They're building subs of all classes, drones, new missiles, new tanks and vehicles, gunships, surface ships of all classes, and working on two fifth gen aircraft? How in the world are they funding all of these projects and build ups with just a budget of 170 billion?
You have to understand that everything that they make is MADE IN CHINA.
US taxpayer money sent from the elite
"The Elite"? Wach yoo talkin' 'bout Yang?!
The chinese 1% can put you to death at will.
Well, it's a "black"project. True funding is classified.
As far as where the money comes from, look at how they manufacture stolen patents and have 8-year olds chanied to a post and being raped every night.
Then, on top of that, their labor standards are so sick. Maybe 30 cents an hour. OK, maybe a dollar.
And the rest of the world is sucking-up their low-priced goods.
We all know that the rape of 8yr olds in the dead of night contributes to the production of millitary aircraft.
I'm assuming this chinese airframe is vectored?
From these poor pic's I can't see any varialbe thrust nozzles.
no it isn't thrust vectoring
Just copying American aircraft from years ago. Doesn't matter though. The days of humans flying combat missions are quickly coming to a close as drones will take over. I guess American drones will be knocking these things out of the air in a few years.
By drones you mean remote controlled planes. The pilot is a backup to the autopilot and can be easily and safely ejected in case of danger.
Don't worry about these comments , they are just jealous
Probably got that technology the same time Clinton was selling them missle technology.
Actually it was Bush who gave the technology. F-35 didn't fly till 2006.
The stole the stealth technology from the stealth fighter shot down in Yugoslavia during the Clinton adminstration. Milosovich gave it to them.
J-31 is derived from F-35, not from F-117.
J-31 prototype escorted by a yellow J-11 Flanker
http://www.china-defense-mashup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/j-31-9.jpg
Stop commenting Charlie Yang. This plane appears to be slightly slanted?
Shape and radar absorbent paint is so 80's, there are plenty of radars that would catch it today just ask the French or the Russians, the real trick comes from the plane absorbing the radar signals, and sending back fake returns to any radar trying to track it, that technology and that computing power exists only in one plane.. take a guess who has it....
Rafale's Spectra.
PAK-FA aka Fighter T-50 ?!
Sopwith Camel?
AVIC, the corporation that makes Chinese combat aircraft, employs over 400,000. Here comes jobs creation.
Well done China, that's why we Pakistani call you guys our most competent freind .
Right, perfect partners in crime. One kills its own citizens while the other kills all others in the world.
No doubt the technology was stolen from us. The jet just looks like one of our fighters.
I'm sure some parts of the aircraft were "stolen", but more likely given away by the US. It's not too farfetch to think the US would actually want other countries to have some of these technologies they can use to develop their military hardware. If not the US cannot justify the expense defense. Defense spending is by far the largest econimic booster to any country. Without a good reason to countiue to fund defense in the US the economy will suffer. By allowing some of these technology to be "stolen" Congress in the US has no excuse but to fund defense spending, creating jobs, which would have the triggle down effect on the economy.
The recipient country of these "given" technologies would certainly apply them to their full use. They look alike to that of the US because why would they reinvent when they have a proven technology? The wheels were invented by someone long time ago. I don't recall anyone designing a square wheel just to be different as far back as anyone could remember.
Great, let these guys sink their their national treasure (aquired by us as some have pointed out) into these wasteful war toys.
That's funny, because the US spends 5 times more on it's military than China does.
Oh,no.Them chinks have invented a new stealth plane.
PLEASE,we have high-powered missiles that can shoot that,and radar that supplements it.
NO need to fear them,they don't even have a 'real' air-craft carrier,so this plane is useless.
AVIC, the corporation that makes Chinese combat aircraft, employs over 400,000.
so?
"BigGuyWithABigFighterPlane" not seeing the big picture. Probley already voted for oBAMa.....
What about the delivery system ?
This plane is an attempt to catch-up with the American air dominator. I suspect that the craft in know manner, except looks perhaps, comes even close to the true fighting/performance charateristics of the raptor. Immitation's never do.
Perhaps, but if piloted by a Latino or African American pilot, an F-22 may not be a match for a J-31 piloted by a Han pilot. You know, Han Solo.
An ignorant racist will always be bested by a superior pilot of any ethnicity. It's hard to fly an airplane when your head is up your ass.
Keep it down Charlie
great...a chinese stealth plane with (of course) made from chinese parts...I'll bet FoxConn assembled this plane along with the ipads...
Apple products from Foxconn are pretty high quality products if you ask me
I'll bet it's all show and no go, just like most everything else they make.
I guess making 1.4 billion people is all show no go.
Now you're getting it. But seriously, who cares.
The flying wing is a better stealth concept. Fewer angular features, fewer seams, higher fuel to plane ratio. I have no idea why they're going with this design.
i dont trust anything that "made in china"... things just falling apart.
Except for weapons hardware.
Yeah, because they rip off the designs or buy the already tested hardware from Russia (even the rear end has a star on it. just like MIGs, nice!). The Engines on this "fifth generation plane" are rumored to be that used by Mig-29.
The fact remains.
Then get off your computer.
China once again shows that it is the world leader in copying other people
Even in looks and DNA. Good copiers they are.
The nose painting looks like the one on J-20, which suggest J-31 uses the same AESA radar as J-20 does.
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/29379_548694575145956_578423377_n.jpg
http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/29379_548694575145956_578423377_n.jpg
Oops, second pic is http://i.imgur.com/551Jv.jpg
China, India, and Russia are manufacturing more gen 5 fighters than the US. They are more agile than the F22/F35 but the Radar Cross Section is larger than the the F22/F35 like a golf ball vs beachball.
I still prefer the Spitfire
Funny anecdotal info, but for the past five days here in Jersey we have been without power and everything has been closed... except for the chinese restaurants. Eg foo yung and fighter jets are not the same, but the chinese seemed pretty tough to me, and they only wanted to sell food and do business, not whine about the immediate hardship. Just saying.
Chinese people are willing to crawl under other people's legs if that'll get them to dominate the world. They are a formidable people!
The Han have created a sophisticated culture over the past two millennia, but they have not been formidable by any means. Their singular conquest was over southern China. They are poised to dominate Asia in a way that they never have before, but it remains to be seen whether the Communist government can really lead the world in positive ways. I studied in the Soviet Union and hope that current Chinese ambitions don't follow the same tragic path.
"Pike said the primary Chinese military jet engine is based on an American design." Not surprising. China copies everything American.
Most likely two WS-13 turbofan engines which also power the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder combat plane.
Seriously, the only way you will stop thinking that China "stole" a design from another nation is when they make a banana shaped aircraft, no wait, then you'll complain that the Chinese copied the design straight out of Battle Star Galactica or something.
The air inlets sweep forward as on the F-35 because the inlets are fused with the fuselage at a bumps. No existing combat aircraft other than Chengdu JF-17 has this feature.
Conventional aircraft are obsolete when you consider modern nukes that just so happen to be tuned just right to release massive magnetic waves destroying all microchips
We also have flying disc technology from captured space aliens.
Flying saucers will make these little airplanes fodder for target practice fun.
Don't forget our time machines and our secret Dino Ops strike forces.
The upcoming "Star Wars" movie should provide some more advanced weapon system designs.
Be serious, America needs 14yr to dig a Big-Dig tunnel in Boston. Shanghai put three subways within 2yr.
They did it with stolen American Technology and about a million people known as slave labor.
Cool looking plane. All of this talk about US having superior equipment – if you remember in WWII – the Germans had much better equipment, more advanced airplanes, and strongholds throughout Europe. American numbers along with fighting ingenuity won the war – the Chinese have that covered in spades.
get back under your union rock, idiot
40 years of American engagement with China has reaped rich economic dividends for that nation. Americans buying Chinese goods have made China rich, as American corporations beat each other in a race to ship all manufacturing to China. So while the American middle & lower classes get decimated, China's new found wealth is used by her armed forces to flex their muscles. Conflict with the US is inevitable, unless we Americans STOP our business class & their allies in Congress from their suicidal policy of unequal engagement with China in pursuit of illusory profits for a few at the expense of the American nation. The time to act is NOW, or the future cost to the American people will be incalculable.
All neighbor countries will join together and beat the hell out of the chinese invaders....
Canada would laugh its ass off and all of Mexico would welcome this. With all the new factories to cheaply produce lead products there would be more jobs than ever before.
Look at the canards, they a telling when it comes tp performance!
J-20 is canarded. J-31 is not.
J-10 is like F-16. J-11 is like F-15. J-20 is like FB-22. J-31 is like F-35.
What is the Chinese equiv. to the US F-22?
Have the Chinese developed the airframe comparible to the U.S. Switch Blade?
Only in terms of maneuverability for the J10 and J11/ su 27. Their radar and electronic warfare suites are still years behind what's on the US jets. As for the J20 and this new guy, we're not sure how capable they are but it's possible that the J20 will end up as an interceptor or strike fighter.
China will mass produce the J-31 and then kick our assess with it for not paying our debt.
Good. Let them too spend trillions on technology they will likely never use.
a rather frontal view
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/741613.shtml
Another Chinese successful counterfeit!!
Successful remains to be seen
@Yang Xi Gua: I guess the eagle artwork is a tip-of-the-hat to the clearly ripped off American F-22!
More theft of our technology. Or did we just give it to them like everything else?
Actually it was not stolen by rather given by the elites as a hedge against the US military should there be an uprising in the USA.
Really doesn't matter – the United States is pretty much 'owned' by Chinese & other Countries already. If ever you thought of taking a 'foreign language' might I suggest Chinese with a Spanish 'kicker' LOL
You guys are looking at this wrong,the US has borrowed 2 trillion or so from the Chinese...so you have their money.
If you don't pay it back...which country was smarter?
Is that how your world works for you?
The only "theft" is the radar absorbent coating which every nation has by now. As for the airframe, unless you're blind, then there's no way you can consider that to be a theft of any designs because there's no stealth prototypes out there that are this small with two engines.
love the eagle artwork on the plane
Reblogged this on World Chaos.
F-35 is to be operational by about 2018 time frame, if all goes well.
The USMC and the RAF has already gotten a few of those jets for training purposes so the F 35 will be operational within a couple of years.
J-31 is operational by about 2016, not 2027.
I believe you.
So what exactly is the advantage of this plane over the US warplanes? What makes it so different that the US has to be worried about?