China moves ahead to develop sixth-generation fighter

China is moving ahead to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter after it finishes the fifth-generation J-20 and J-31.
The United States is the first nation to forge plans for the design of a sixth-generation fighter. In an official statement, the US Navy claimed that a sixth-generation fighter — called FAXX — will replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler by 2030. A source from the US military said that the Department of Defense has already prepared a budget for the development of FAXX in 2015.
Russia has recently gotten on board with its own next generation fighter program. A research team was established in northeastern China's Shenyang much earlier than Russia for the country's 6th-gen program.
China is the only nation capable of designing two types of fifth-generation fighters in such a short period of time. With experience gained from the development of the J-20 and J-31, China has enough resources to carry out its next-gen program. China's next fighter is likely to be an unmanned aerial vehicle.
While the definition of "sixth-generation" is not clear yet, most believe such an aircraft must be equipped with a laser or railgun.
wantchinatimes

China's newest fighter jet J-16 revealed online

China's most advanced fighter jet, the J-16, has been revealed online in flight.
The J-16 shown online was believed to be a prototype of the jet fighter because it carries the serial number "1601."
It marked the first time that the warplane was shown in flight.
Military analysts speculated that the plane should still be in the test-flight stage.
Some Chinese netizens said the plane is undergoing tests at a People's Liberation Army flight test and training base in Hebei province in northern China.
The plane was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corp for the use of the PLA Navy's aviation corps.
Military analysts said the J-16 was an improved version of Russia's Su-30MKK. It can carry a maximum load of 12 tons of bombs or missiles, including YJ-62 and YJ-83 anti-ship missiles.
Previous media reports said the J-16's navigation electronics were much better than those on the J-15, and expected the new jet to gradually replace the J-15 in maritime battles.
One of the stories drawing the greatest attention was China's new aircraft carrier — the Liaoning — making its first long-distance voyage to the South China Sea on a testing and training mission.
Other milestones to be highly publicized were the test-firing of the land-based Dongfeng 41 multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile and the test-firing of the submarine-launched JL-2 missile.
wantchinatimes

First carrier-based fighter enters production in China

The Shenyang J-15, China's first carrier-based fighter designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, has entered mass production and has been received by various units of the PLA Navy Air Force.
It's estimated that the production of six or eight J-15 fighters has been completed recently while between six and seven aircraft are still being constructed.
Based on the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-33 carrier-based fighter, the J-15 is said to be only a transitional aircraft, before the PLA Navy receive its own fifth-generation stealth fighter which shares similar capabilities with China's Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-31. China has nine J-15 prototypes in total, seven of which are single-seater fighters. Flying the J-15 from the Liaoning will provide Chinese naval aviators with experience in anticipation of operating more advanced fighters aboard the aircraft carrier in future.
wantchinatimes

J-31 stealth fighter designed for export, says PLA admiral

The J-31, China's second prototype fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, will be produced for the export market instead of for China's air force and navy, according to Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong of the PLA Navy.
While the Washington-based Strategy Page said the J-31 has the potential to become a future carrier-based stealth fighter for the PLA Navy, Zhang said it is unlikely the plane will serve aboard Chinese aircraft carriers. Unlike the J-20 designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, the J-31 was never a development program intended for the Chinese military, Zhang said.
Like the FC-1/JF-17 Xiaolong or Thunder multirole fighter designed jointly by China and Pakistan, the J-31 will be most likely be a model intended for export to China's allies and strategic partners, which may include countries like North Korea and Iran. Chinese fighters are a much cheaper alternative to US fighters for developing countries, even those which are able to buy military hardware from the United States.
wantchinatimes

Clear photo of Li Jian UCAV

A clear photo of the Li Jian (Sharp Sword) UCAV has emerged. The drone is allegedly designed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute and produced by Hongdu Aviation Industry. It is currently under testing at Nanchang.

alert5

First clear image of China’s new Stealth killer drone, "Lijian"

According to Duowei News, the drone is ready for its maiden flight after completing its taxi tests in December last year.
Designed jointly by the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group and Shenyang Aviation Corporation, the Lijian is quite similar to both the U.S. X-47B and the European nEUROn.

theaviationist

China fighter designer compares J-15 to F/A-18 Hornet

The chief designer of the Shenyang J-15 fighter has compared the aircraft to the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet, and suggests that the developmental J-31 could one day serve aboard Chinese aircraft carriers.
In an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Chinese aircraft designer Sun Cong said that the J-15 is "generally close to the US F/A-18, reaching world class standards".
flightglobal

Photo:Shenyang stealth fighter’s weapons bay

alert5

New Chinese fighter conducts maiden flight

Images have emerged on Chinese defence sites that appear to show a new Chinese fighter aircraft in flight.
The flight was said to be the first conducted by the aircraft that is now being commonly referred to as the Shenyang J-31. Previous reports have variously given the aircraft's designation as the J-21, J-31 or F-60.
Images for the aircraft first appeared in mid-September 2012 and were said to be taken at the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation airfield.
During the flight the J-31 was accompanied by a pair of Shenyang J-11 fighters. It seems to have conducted the ten minute flight with its landing gear in the lowered position.
Prior to its flight, it conducted a high speed taxi run and became briefly airborne.

flightglobal