Posted on 07/22/2025 6:27:59 AM PDT by Red Badger
J-35 Fighter Screenshot. Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot. Key Points and Summary – Carefully managed reveals from China strongly suggest its carrier-capable J-35 stealth fighter has entered low-rate initial production and may already be in service with the PLAN.
-The “accidental” appearance of multiple J-35s in a state-run CCTV broadcast, followed by official-looking photos of jets with production-style tail numbers and naval aviator markings, points to a deliberate messaging campaign.
-While the possibility of a sophisticated disinformation effort cannot be entirely dismissed, the growing body of evidence, including a massive new production facility, indicates that China’s F-35 competitor is on a steady path to full operational capability.
China’s J-35 Stealth Fighter Might Have Its Moment Now Recent footage and reports from Chinese state media may suggest that China’s Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation carrier-based fighter may have entered into limited production.
If true, this means that development on China’s most recent fifth-gen fighter may be further along than previously anticipated and that it may soon enter into active service.
The introduction of the J-35 into service with the PLAN would significantly increase China’s ability to project power across its oceans and ensure a solid defense against American air power in the region.
The J-35 in Production Already? Several days ago, new footage of the J-35 was spread across Chinese internet sites which appears to be official footage from the PLAN. The images show two J-35s flying side-by-side in close formation. Analysts quickly noticed the construction numbers on the fighters (0011 and 0012 respectively) as well as the insignias on the tails which seems to indicate that the J-35 has indeed entered into low-rate initial production (LRIP).
In addition to the markings, analysts noticed other more subtle differences between the newly shown J-35s and the prototype demonstrated last year.
Based on the thrust nozzles, the limited production model seems to be using a different power plant compared to earlier prototypes. Some reports indicated that the J-35 may use the WS-19 turbofan engine whereas the naval variant uses the WS-21 engine. While there is currently no way of telling which engine it uses exactly, the two models do seemingly use different power packs.
Development of the J-35 The J-35 originally began as the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, a prototype stealth fighter that first flew in 2012. Unlike the J-20, which was developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation with full state backing, the FC-31 was initially a privately funded project by SAC.
It was designed with the hope of attracting foreign buyers and possibly securing a role within the Chinese military. For several years, the FC-31 remained a demonstrator, undergoing various design changes and test flights without a clear path to production. However, by 2021, a new version of the aircraft emerged, clearly tailored for naval operations.
This updated design featured folding wings, reinforced landing gear, and a catapult launch bar, strong indicators of its intended use aboard aircraft carriers. This version would eventually be designated the J-35.
The J-35 took its first flight on October 29, 2021, and a land-based variant, known as the J-35A, followed in 2023. The J-35A was publicly displayed at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, signaling China’s confidence in the aircraft’s readiness and capabilities.
In July 2025, the J-35 officially entered service with the PLAN, with operational units bearing naval insignia and serial numbers. This milestone confirmed the aircraft’s transition from prototype to frontline fighter.
Design and Specs On the surface, the J-35 shares many design characteristics of the American F-35 but there are a number of differences that separate the two. It is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions, making it a versatile asset for the Chinese military. The aircraft’s airframe is optimized for stealth, with angular surfaces, radar-absorbing materials, and internal weapons bays that reduce its radar cross-section.
The twin tail fins and divergent engine nozzles help minimize its infrared signature, while the folding wings and reinforced undercarriage are tailored for carrier operations.
The J-35 is equipped with advanced avionics and sensor systems. It features an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which provides high-resolution tracking and targeting capabilities. The aircraft also includes a Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for 360-degree situational awareness, as well as electro-optical targeting systems and infrared search and track (IRST) sensors.
These systems are integrated through data fusion technologies, allowing the pilot to receive a comprehensive picture of the battlespace. Secure datalinks enable the J-35 to operate as part of a networked force, sharing information with other aircraft, ships, and ground units.
In terms of performance, the J-35 is believed to be powered by two WS-13 or upgraded WS-19 engines, although exact specifications remain classified. The aircraft is estimated to reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, with a combat radius of approximately 1,200 kilometers and a service ceiling of around 16,000 meters.
It can carry a weapons payload of up to 8,000 kilograms, including air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and anti-ship missiles. These capabilities make the J-35 a formidable platform for both defensive and offensive operations.
The J-35 is a Big Deal With the J-35 on the verge of entering operational service, there are a number of implications that must be considered. First, it enhances China’s ability to project air power across key maritime regions, including the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Western Pacific. With its stealth capabilities and advanced sensors, the J-35 provides a credible counter to U.S. F-35B and F-35C operations in the region.
Second, the J-35 marks a major step in the modernization of China’s carrier aviation. It replaces the older, fourth-generation J-15 fighters with a stealth platform capable of operating in contested environments. This shift enables China to conduct more sophisticated and survivable carrier-based operations.
Currently, the J-35 is expected to undergo carrier-based sea trials before it officially enters PLAN service. It will likely be deployed aboard the type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier, which is the latest generation of carriers in service in the Chinese Navy. The J-35’s development also parallels China’s efforts to field sixth-generation fighters, with prototypes already under development by both Shenyang and Chengdu.
Aviation PING!......................
I’m skeptical of its stealth capabilities.
Related: our smart people are way smarter than their smart people. Problem is they have a LOT more smart people because our education system in general sucks.
Also they are very good at espionage. Heck under Obama, Biden, etc. they didn’t even need real tradecraft.
The Obama Admin and the Clinton Admin actually helped the Chinese with espionage.
That said, not sure building aircraft carriers is a wise allocation of resources for the Chinese.
Alas, not for long.
Democrat scum probably emailed the F35 specs to China.
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Under Obama, Biden and Clinton, all they needed was speed dial and straw donor for “campaign contributions.”
In the USAF we had a saying; “if you want to own an F-104 just buy an acre of land in Germany and one will fall on it.”. Perhaps the same should be said about the J-35 and China, except that nobody is allowed to actually own land in China and who would want a plot of worthless land with a pile of junk on it?
If it can stay in the air. 😉
Chinese made EVs cause more explosive damage sinking ships than their J-35
“our smart people are way smarter than their smart people.”
Our smart people have to contend with DEI (visible or hidden).
“Also they are very good at espionage.”
Our top guys focus on spying on their political opponents.
Agree and agree…
Related: our smart people are way smarter than their smart people.
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Don’t know how that conclusion is reached, given Indians and Chinese dominate authorship of most non biology scientific papers. And many of those are H1B types inside the US. This doesn’t make them “our” smart people.
As for the airplane, let’s start with certain realities. China doesn’t project power. Neither does Russia. We have so many residual bases scattered all over the world that we are forced to have carriers and airlift assets.
Further, just 15 years ago we were importing enormous amounts of oil (before zero interest rates made shale fracking possible) and those tankers had to be escorted. Those days are returning, according to the Permian shale people.
And so, the Chinese think mostly in terms of Taiwan, and their flow of tankers from the Middle East. They don’t need to project power all over the world. Just those tanker routes south of India and past Singapore. Like Russia, they have no interest in conquering and dominating places with no natural resources and loaded with violent Muslim refugees.
So this airplane will be mostly defensive and escorting — since the easiest way to absorb Taiwan is to cut off its oil.
Like the rest of their military hardware, it’s garbage. Just ask Iran and Pakistan.
-SB
And Bangladesh.........................
China’s New J-35 Stealth Fighter Has a Message for the U.S. Military - just more Chinese junk, no other country’s military will buy.
Just more proof of how riddled our nation is with ChiCom spies from Capitol Hill to our research universities right down to our local fabricating shops.
The MIC Raytheon mouthpiece blog is at it again.
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