Not Fujian, China's FC-31 (J-35) Fighter Will Operate on Nuclear Powered Type 004 Carrier

The China's FC-31 (J-35) Fighter Prototype

International Military - An FC-31 aircraft that looks like a US Lockheed Martin F-35 has appeared on social media. The FC-31 or J-35 was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (FAC), China.

The FC-31 is expected to be able to operate in tandem with J-15 fighters for operations on all four Chinese carriers. Quoted from Defense Security Asia, the FC-31 or J-35 aircraft are being prepared for operation on aircraft carriers that are currently being built.

According to the chief designer of the FC-31, Sun Chong, this aircraft still has weaknesses. "Basically, the aircraft model met our expectations," he told Chinese media recently. Among the most notable changes is that the FC-31 aircraft now have "foldable wings".

This technology is used to allow aircraft to be loaded onto aircraft carriers. The FC-31 is also claimed to be capable of carrying up to 4 PL-15 medium-range air-to-air missiles in the internal weapons bay.

In addition, there are also two PL-10 short-range air-to-air missiles on hardpoints for aerial combat. This aircraft uses the WS-13 engine which is an engine made in China from the Russian-made RD-93 (WS-31) turbofan engine.

The FC-31 is a medium-sized, single-seat, twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter jet with strong stealth and competitive costs.

Quoted from the Eurasian Times, the Type 004 aircraft carrier will soon be developed. Later, the Type 004 can operate the 5th generation FC-31 'Gyrfalcon' stealth fighter. The atomic propulsion of the 80-85,000 tonne class 'Type 004' would make China the first country to have an aircraft carrier that can stay at sea for months.

With Fujian, China will jump straight to the Electromagnetic Launch System (EMALS) from the Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing (STOBAR) ski jump in Liaoning and Shandong. The STOBAR system involves ski jumping on the carrier's flight deck, with jets taking off from it under their power. 'Type 004' will be a nuclear powered ship.

This then allows it to stay at sea longer with more fuel, cargo, ammunition/weapons and aircraft. This is also due to the space created by the loss of a large gas turbine.

Nuclear power used could also propel more powerful EMALS systems and possibly even Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), high-powered lasers, and rail guns.