FC-31 stealth fighter thread.

jessmo112 · by **jessmo112** » 08 Sep 2020, 07:24

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.c ... totype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 Sep 2020, 07:28

Minnie Chan @SCMP. lol. I suppose that together with ps-ed photos qualify in f-16.net nowadays as well.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 08 Sep 2020, 08:17

jessmo112 wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3100569/chinas-latest-fc-31-gyrfalcon-stealth-fighter-prototype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

You have credible data to support that.....

milosh · by **milosh** » 08 Sep 2020, 09:06

jessmo112 wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3100569/chinas-latest-fc-31-gyrfalcon-stealth-fighter-prototype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

No one knows weight of FC-31, Chinese invested a lot in 3D printing large parts of titanium (airframe bulkheads) which by them can reduce weight of parts 40% compared to forging:
https://www.3ders.org/articles/20130529 ... onent.html

Also they can use russian RD-33MKV or RD-93M both are 100kN engines, noticable more thrust then RD-93 Chinese probable use right now in FC-31 prototype.

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 Sep 2020, 09:34

Export brochure. It is afterall an export fighter. MTOW 28k kg (61k lbs). Its been the same 2 tech demonstrators since 2016 (just painted) so the numbers are likely still valid (with twin RD-93s).

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 Sep 2020, 09:42

Stores payload is indicated as 8 tons (2 ton internal, 6 tons external hardpoints) so 20 tons max for empty weight + fuel. To get to 1250km (670nm), assuming F-35 fuel usage would suggest ~18k lb fuel (8 tons, likely more) leaving empty weight 12 tons (~26k lbs likely less).

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 08 Sep 2020, 09:52

Vague estimates at best......

I'll wait for the movie..... :wink:

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 Sep 2020, 09:59

wait, didn't someone just mentioned PS-ed photos were sufficient "quality"...

jessmo112 · by **jessmo112** » 08 Sep 2020, 10:00

Corsair1963 wrote:
jessmo112 wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3100569/chinas-latest-fc-31-gyrfalcon-stealth-fighter-prototype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

You have credible data to support that.....

Are you asking me to prove that the Chinese are bad at making engines? You really wanna do tbis?

weasel1962 · by **weasel1962** » 08 Sep 2020, 10:10

jessmo112 wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote:
jessmo112 wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3100569/chinas-latest-fc-31-gyrfalcon-stealth-fighter-prototype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

You have credible data to support that.....

Are you asking me to prove that the Chinese are bad at making engines? You really wanna do tbis?

Which is be 100% completely relevant if the Chinese actually made (or even assembles) the RD93.

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 08 Sep 2020, 10:12

jessmo112 wrote:
Corsair1963 wrote:
jessmo112 wrote:https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3100569/chinas-latest-fc-31-gyrfalcon-stealth-fighter-prototype-may

This popped up in my Google feed. The Plane is still using the Fulcrum engine. They tried to copy the F-35 but dont have the thrust to drive it. We are talking about a 30k lb plane. Putting it on a carrier will only make it heavier.

You have credible data to support that.....

Are you asking me to prove that the Chinese are bad at making engines? You really wanna do tbis?

My guess is Chinese Engines are about as good as Indian ones...........

jessmo112 · by **jessmo112** » 14 Sep 2020, 17:54

https://www.foxnews.com/tech/the-chines ... 35-rip-off

Im curious why the Chinese Air forces dont want this thing? Even if its underpowered, it could likely make a decent bomb truck.it must have some design flaw that makes it dangerous, or obsolete.

mixelflick · by **mixelflick** » 14 Sep 2020, 18:27

jessmo112 wrote:https://www.foxnews.com/tech/the-chinese-j-31-5th-gen-stealth-fighter-may-be-a-total-f-35-rip-off

Im curious why the Chinese Air forces dont want this thing? Even if its underpowered, it could likely make a decent bomb truck.it must have some design flaw that makes it dangerous, or obsolete.

The more I read about it, the more its shaping up to be "5th gen" in name only. Some stealth, likely some very good avionics. But woefully under-powered, and its unlikely their definition of "situational awareness" is similar to ours.

Even so, it's a better play than the SU-57 IMO.

milosh · by **milosh** » 14 Sep 2020, 19:51

jessmo112 wrote:https://www.foxnews.com/tech/the-chinese-j-31-5th-gen-stealth-fighter-may-be-a-total-f-35-rip-off

Im curious why the Chinese Air forces dont want this thing? Even if its underpowered, it could likely make a decent bomb truck.it must have some design flaw that makes it dangerous, or obsolete.

They want J-31 to be "cheap" stealth fighter so they need at least some decent thrust. J-20 and J-31 aren't design to be bomb trucks.
J-20, J-31 have similar weapon bay design as F-22. shallow weapon bay primary for AAMs.

I expect they are waiting RD-33MKV which will probable be used as JF-17 upgrade too.

So with two RD-33MKV, FC-31 will have decent thrust (over 200kN)

Corsair1963 · by **Corsair1963** » 15 Sep 2020, 01:24

jessmo112 wrote:https://www.foxnews.com/tech/the-chinese-j-31-5th-gen-stealth-fighter-may-be-a-total-f-35-rip-off

Im curious why the Chinese Air forces dont want this thing? Even if its underpowered, it could likely make a decent bomb truck.it must have some design flaw that makes it dangerous, or obsolete.

Who says the PLAAF doesn't want the J-31??? :doh: