Posted on 12/31/2013 11:47:44 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
A bomber version of the Shenyang J-31, China's second fifth-generation stealth fighter, is likely to be designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in the near future to meet the demands of the People's Liberation Army Air Force, the Beijing-based Sina Military Network reported on Dec. 30.
Since both the Chengdu J-20 — the country's first stealth fighter prototype — and the J-31 are currently developed as fighters with the primary mission of engaging enemy aircraft in aerial combat, the Sina Military Network stated that what the PLA Air Force needs now is a stealth aircraft that is capable of attacking ground targets as a tactical bomber. Currently, the Xian JH-7 bomber's range is too short to provide long-range close air support to the PLA ground force while it is too expensive to call in the Xian H-6 strategic bomber for such a tactical mission.
The only suitable aircraft China is currently in possession of to conduct long-range attack missions is the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter. However, Sina Military Network said the Su-30MK2 can be easily detected by enemy radar. This is the reason why stealth aircraft with larger weapons bays to carry a larger payload are extremely important for the PLA Air Force. Photos recently released on the internet suggest Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is building a bomber based on the stealth fighter.
In the article, the Sina Military Network explained that a stealth fighter bomber based on the design of the J-31 will be far superior to the JH-7 and the Su-30MK2. By reducing the J-31's capability as a fighter, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation can increase its combat range, payload and stealth capability to make it the first real tactical bomber in the history of the PLA Air Force. This is what China needs to forge a modern air force, Sina Military Network said.
second fifth-generation stealth fighter ?
Gee - I wonder (Clinton) where they stole the technology (Clinton) from or who gave them the same (Bush) to develop something like this?
It’s baffling.
It may never go into production as the Chinese seem more intent right now on concentrating on the J-20, which they have built three of...all of those prototypes. It will probably be a good 6-8 more years before the J-20 goes into production.
The Chinese are still plagued by not being able to produce a top quality jet engine for their front line, high performance fighters. But they are making progress there.
As it is, talk of a "bomber" version of the the J-31 is indicative (IMHO) that their principle aim of producing the J-31 as a strong front line fighter/bomber is not going to be fulfilled so they are looking for alternatives.
Either way, they are still years from producing any production 5th generation aircraft at all.
In the mean time, the US has produced and deployed 187 F-22s (and it's a travesty we didn't build 400-500 of them), and have are working on the 100th production version of F-35 5th generation stealth fighter.
The current American and Russian fighters have a certain grace and beauty about them.
To my eyes, the Chinese planes appear awkward like something put together from a bunch of pieces that don’t quite go together.
I have no idea how they fly, but to my eye they aren’t pretty
“To my eyes, the Chinese planes appear awkward like something put together from a bunch of pieces that don’t quite go together.”
I don’t know if I agree with that. But if you look at certain stealth features that are present on US aircraft (canted ‘vertical stabilizers, non-prominent engine intakes, platypus engine exhausts) the Chinese ‘stealth fighters’ lack them.
I think that this tells us that certain basic stealth technologies aren’t quite there yet, and that these aircraft are either test beds or stop-gap purchases.
It’s a smart move since few of their asian potential adversaries can match even this limited attempt.
My opinion is the PRC is not really trying to impress the tech savy countries, primarily because they can’t. They are wanting to spook their lessor endowed neighbors.
China doesn’t need to match U.S. power. They just need to have the ability to inflict casualties beyond the toleration of the American public.
Too few military men understand that war is politics. The U.S. left Iraq after 5,000 deaths because of politics, not because the resistance there had better arms.
Does anyone think the U.S. public will tolerate a war in the East China Sea that ends with significant casualties ?
No way this bird is stealthier than the F18E
Agree. Sukhoi has built some good looking aircraft.
F-22 is eye-candy. I can't quite warm up to the F-35....much less the Chinese knock-offs.
Did Lockheed help design that?
another av list ping
I think you nailed it, exact!
“My opinion is the PRC is not really trying to impress the tech savy countries, primarily because they can’t.”
I believe they absolutely can but they are a nation not bent on military machines but consumer products. They desire to be productive and wealthy and innovative. Their technologists are not focused on war machines. Besides, they have hundreds of millions of potential soldiers. Any war with China would never be won in the air.
I disagree with this.
China is five times America’s size, and has now surpassed America in exports.
China is working (first) to take over our manufacturing base. In the meantime they are working 100% toward every military advantage, they can.
When they have taken over the rest of our manufacturing, they’ll be ready to take over militarily. They will at that point, have the industrial power to do so.
Meanwhile, we are giving China all our manufacturing.
Even the GOP.
Bring back American manufacturing now.
Are you for real? The Chinks have not had any original ideas since “fireworks”. They copy everything, even down to the color of the things they “reverse engineer”.
They are indeed focused on military, just their efficiency is land based. Their focus on consumer products because all those Chinese won’t settle for being communist peasants any longer. They, as a culture, think they can become prosperous by producing mostly inferior quality gadgets and dangerous food exports, while cheating their technology and raw material partners.
They can be beat, just not in China or anywhere easily connected by land. Unless they can figure out how to move their army, they will remain stuck in Asia.
If they get into a real hot war it will be against Russia, even though they both pretend to be such chums, not us.
“Are you for real? The Chinks have not had any original ideas since “fireworks”. They copy everything, even down to the color of the things they “reverse engineer”.”
What are you 17? That was nothing but juvenile screeching.
Hey, how was that legal dope yesterday?
Yeah, *that* bolstered your case.
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