J-31 first flight

China placed something more than a mockup, but probably not a full aircraft, out for the public to take a look at and take pictures of. This is an evolution of the J-31/FC-31/J35 line. I suspect this is some of China's method of signalling: letting the world know what's coming. They do it a lot.



Up the inlet:



Close up of the tail root:



Tail:



Wing:

hmm. real?

a reply to: Zaphod58

looks off

the way it sits on the runway and it projects zero power

No RAM yet with the size of the fastener countersinks..

The FC-31 has been officially redesignated by the Chinese government as the J-31.

And China will officially unveil their next gen carrier aircraft this year:

www.globaltimes.cn...

a reply to: anzha

www.flightglobal.com...

a reply to: anzha
Thats if they get their engines to stop blowing up....

a reply to: Blackfinger

I got a tour of a GE turbine manufacturing plant.


the mono crystal blade tech is pretty amazing

I would bet they are having temperature issues that might be causing

That,shockwave issues causing fracturing or flutter...

Semi conflicting rumors on the J-XY.

One states the prototype derived from the J-31 has flown.

The other states the Chinese gov has decided to do a fly off between SAC and CAC's prototypes.

And there she is. Catapult bar and all.

I thought it would have beefier looking landing gear than that.

a reply to: E92M3

Might be better materials in an optimistic opinion, might not be intended to do actual carrier landings in this prototype, or might be an underestimation on the wear and tear.

The Drive noticed:

www.thedrive.com...

And others:

theaviationist.com...

www.flightglobal.com...

www.janes.com...

Andreas is a pretty nice guy to talk to about all of this, btw. He also comes across as a pretty nice guy in general.

theaviationist.com...

a reply to: anzha

the wing edges where the composites are look a little metallic or at least has a stripe that runs around the whole leading edge

It appears to have been purposefully blurred. it has been suggested the engines are WS-15E based on the nozzles.