Zephyr Net

- The J-21 -







A scale-down model of J-21 was unveiled by the 601 Institute at the first International UAV Innovation Grand Prix held in Beijing in September 2011. It was first rumored in April 2011 that 601/SAC are developing a 4th generation medium multi-role stealth fighter as J-21 which would complement the heavier J-20. The aircraft has a conventional design featuring twin engines and DSIs similar to both American F-22 and F-35. The prototype could initially be powered by the 8.5t class WS-13A turbofan but later by the new 9.5t class "medium thrust" engine (WS-13B/Tianshan?). However due to its relatively small size and lower engine thrust compared to J-20, J-21 might suffer from either a limited internal payload or a shorter combat radius. A full-scale metal model was probably built in early 2011. The first prototype has been under construction since late 2011. First flight was projected to be in September 2012. J-21 (dubbed AMF/Advanced Multi-role Fighter/FC-2?) is expected to be promoted at the international market as a low-cost alternative to American F-35.

J-21/AMF Gyrfalcon


















The J-21 (Project 310?) Falcon 01 prototype was approaching the SAC airfield after its successful maiden flight on October 31, 2012. A scale-down model (F-60) of J-21 was first unveiled by the 601 Institute at the first International UAV Innovation Grand Prix held in Beijing in September 2011. It was first rumored in April 2011 that 601/SAC has been developing a 4th generation medium multi-role stealth fighter as J-21 (Project 310) since 2007 after its own heavy stealth fighter design lost the bid to 611/CAC's J-20 . The aircraft has a conventional design with twin engines and two large slanted trapezoidal tailfins similar to American F-22. As the result the ventral stabilizing fins are eliminated to save weight and reduce RCS. In addition it features DSIs, two piece canopy and a pentagon shaped nose similar to F-35. Like J-20, a retractable IFR proble could be installed on the starboard side slightly forward of the canopy. As a 4th generation fighter J-21 is believed to have advanced avionics onboard such as an AESA radar. The prototype is expected initially to be powered by the 8.5t class RD-93/WS-13A turbofan (without TVC) but later by the new 9.5t class "Medium Thrust" engine (WS-13B, might feature 2D TVC). The RD-93 engine nozzles on the prototype appear without any stealth measures applied. However they are partially shielded by the two horizontal tailfins extending rearward, similar to F-35, thus reduces the IR and radar signatures. J-21 features a single internal weapon bay inside its belly housing up to 4 (?) AAMs including PL-10, PL-12 or PL-15. It may also be able to carry the larger YJ-83K AshM and YJ-91 ARM externally. However due to its relatively small size and lower engine thrust compared to J-20, J-21 might suffer from either a limited internal payload or a shorter combat radius. It is not expected to have the super-cruise capability initially either when powered by RD-93. Some specifications (speculated): length 16.9m, height 4.8m, wingspan 11.5m, normal TO wight 17.5t, combat radius 1,250km with internal fuel, max level speed Mach 1.8, TO distance 400m. A full-scale metal model was probably built in early 2011. One airframe was transported to the 623 Institute in Yanliang for static tests in June 2012. The first prototype was under construction since late 2011. Its first flight took place on October 31, 2012, powered by two smoky RD-93 turbofans. As a private venture of AVIC, J-21 (dubbed AMF/Advanced Multi-role Fighter) is expected to be promoted at the international market as a low-cost alternative to American F-35. Therefore it could have some negative impact on the prospects of FC-1/JF-17 in 7-10 years. Its first foreign customer is likely to be Pakistani AF. As for the domestic market, it appears to be a good candidate to replace all the remaining J-7E/G series light fighters still in service with PLAAF and PLAN, as the production of J-10 series will be limited to around 300. It was rumored that J-21 could compete with the other stealth fighter design from 611 Institute for the next generation PLAN carrier-based stealth fighter but this has not been confirmed. J-21 was partially unveiled at 2012 Zhuhai Airshow as an "advanced fighter concept", featuring a one-piece canopy.

The latest images (December 2013) suggested that J-21 is testing a new silver color "stealth" nozzle similar to those onboard J-20. The second prototype which could feature "major" improvements in order to meet PLAAF's requirements is anticipated to fly by 2015.

They might include a one-piece canopy, domestic WS-13A turbofan engines with new stealth nozzles, an ETOS under the nose, retractable IFR probe and cropped wing tips and tailfin tips similar to those of F-22.







J31: test flight on April 11, 2014 in Shenyang - Takeoff & Landing (HD720) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1YgeKG8jJo

J31: model of Gyrfalcon 2.0 officially unveiled at Zhuhai Airshow 2014 (2014.11.10) (HD720) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k533kXsRh0o

The latest AVIC promotional video at 2016 Zhuhai Airshow indicated the 02 prototype has been built and is preparing for the maiden flight. The latest images suggested that the high-speed taxi test of the 02 prototype started on December 18, 2016. Its first flight took place on December 23, 2016, powered by two smokeless WS-13E engines.

The second prototype of the Chinese stealth fighter FC-3, aimed at foreign buyers, has been tested. Neither the Department of Defense nor the company that produced the aircraft provided details.

The second prototype of the fifth-generation Chinese fighter fighter FC-31, also known as J-31 Shenyang, made its first flight. The hunter was seen near the factory of the Shenyang Aircraft Company, located in Sichuan Province.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense and the press service of Shenyang Aircraft have not yet given details on the new fighter, but several Chinese media have already published his photos.

This aircraft was presented to the general public for the first time in 2014 during the Airshow China 2014 exhibition. The first test flight of the first prototype of FC-31 was made in 2012. Sergey Kornev, spokesman for the Forces Had previously declared that this fighter would use the Russian RD-93 engine.

The FC-31 is intended for foreign buyers, unlike the Chinese fighter J-20 presented on 1 November to be supplied to the Chinese Air Force. However, the company Shenyang Aircraft hopes that FC-31 will interest the Chinese Air Force.

The FC-31 was presented as a cheaper analogue of the American fighter F-35, designed by Lockheed Martin. The Chinese company AVIC, of ​​which Shenyang Aircraft is a member, said the commercial version of the FC-31 will be presented in 2019 when it is ready for commissioning in 2022.



The Chinese fighter J-31, complete copy of the US F-35?

The German weekly newspaper Der Spiegel refers to the information revealed by Edward Snowden to report that China has stolen a lot of information about the construction of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter in the US for use in its J aircraft -31.

According to the experts of the Center of Strategic and Technological Analysis, this publication brings little news to the already known information. Moreover, according to a Russian expert, it is inappropriate to speak of a complete copy in the present case. Theft by Chinese intelligence of a terabyte of information on the computer networks of several F-35 companies was reported in 2009. The US authorities then announced that the stolen information was mainly concerned with the general construction of the F-35. The aircraft and its aerodynamics. The Chinese had failed to capture data from the F-35's key subsystems such as the engine, radar, or control system.

From the information available on the Chinese project J-31, it can not be said that it is a "copy" of the F-35. It is a completely different device that only resembles outside the American craft. Judging by earlier statements by Chinese designers, the J-31 is perceived as a low-tech project, unlike the more complex J-20. The main aircraft and systems of the J-31 were not designed from scratch but borrowed from the latest models of fourth-generation Chinese hunters (third in Chinese terminology). Unlike the F-35, this fighter is equipped with two engines.

The success of the J-31 project would mean the entry into the market of the first fighter built using stealth technologies, while being affordable. It will be difficult to relate it to a concrete generation. It is planned to install Russian RD-93 engines and eventually modernized Chinese WS-13 engines. Thus, its propulsion system will be similar to that of the MiG-29. This device should not be expected to be supersonic or hyper-manoeuvrable.

At the same time, it will show the performance of the latest Chinese series hunters, such as the J-10B, and will feature an active antenna radar, state-of-the-art cockpit equipment and new electronic warfare systems. These features will be coupled with radar stealth. Anyway, this device will be a big step forward compared to the existing fourth generation fighter. And it will be affordable.

Fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35, the T-50 or J-20 will probably be so expensive that they will be impossible to acquire for underdeveloped countries and emerging economies. Even the greatest armies of the air will have but a small number of them. On their merits, the J-31 will be a reliable and cheap "workhorse". This device could succeed where the FC-1 had failed to become a large exported hunter and could be delivered not only to the isolated market of Pakistan but also to the world.

According to Fu Qianshao, expert of the Chinese Air Force; The sale price of the aircraft would be estimated at 70 million dollars, which is cheaper than the 4th generation European fighter planes.

Wasn't that nice of the Clintons to sell our technology to the Chinese? {sarcasm}

Really, I think it's a matter of money from the Clintons ...

Traitors to the Fatherland there will unfortunately everywhere.

It is up to the country concerned to do the "housekeeping" and to watch over its interests...

China still lags far behind for embedded electronics and jet engines although it has improved enormously over time...

Currently the test flight of the 02 prototype continues at SAC. If ordered now by a foreign customer, FC-31 could enter the production as early as 2019 and achieve IOC in 2022.

A recent rumor (June 2017) suggested that the 03 prototype is being developed which could become the first prototype of the new carrier-based stealth fighter for PLAN.