China shows its stealth carrier-based J-35

(Wikimedia Commons)

Photos of the first flight of a prototype of a Chinese unobtrusive carrier-based fighter appeared on the Chinese social media. It is an upgraded version of the FC-31 and claims to be the first non-US stealth carrier-based fighter.

The Shenyang Aviation Research and Design Institute has been developing the base FC-31 since 2010. This aircraft can fly at altitudes up to 16 thousand meters and reach speeds of up to 2.2 thousand kilometers per hour, and its combat radius is 1.2 thousand kilometers.

The FC-31 is built using stealth technology and is invisible to radars operating in the L and Ku bands. Rumors about the development of a deck version of the FC-31 have been circulating for several years.

(Weibo)

Last year, the Global Times newspaper wrote that the Shenyang Institute in 2021 will conduct the first flight tests of the new fighter, and, most likely, it will be carrier-based. Photos of the first flight of the Chinese stealth carrier-based fighter appeared on social media on October 29. It is painted green. Like the base FC-31, it has two engines and a high cabin.

But the new aircraft also has a catapult hook and a folding wing. It also appears to be larger than the regular FC-31. The name of the carrier-based fighter is unknown, but it is often referred to as the J-35.

Source: https://card.weibo.com/article/m/show/id/2309404698459822489757