Latest news with #J35
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's fifth-gen J-35: rare close-up images suggest stealth jets ready for Fujian carrier
Rare close-up images of two PLA Navy J-35 stealth fighters flying in close formation have surfaced online, giving the clearest view yet of China's next-generation carrier-based aircraft. A military observer said the markings and flight characteristics offered the strongest evidence yet that the J-35 had entered production and was approaching operational readiness for deployment aboard China's latest aircraft carrier. Unlike previously circulated ground-based photos, the latest images appear to be air-to-air studies in tight formation. Their clearly visible identification marks suggest the fifth-generation fighter jets have entered initial production, according to former People's Liberation Army instructor Song Zhongping. The images, which first began circulating on China's X-like Weibo at the weekend, show the jets bearing clear 'Chinese navy' markings on their fuselages and 'Flying Shark' insignia on their tails – the strongest visual indication yet of formal naval integration. These markings, along with the official serial numbers '0011' and '0012', suggested the fighters were part of a low-rate initial production run, Song said. 'The Flying Shark insignia confirms the J-35 has joined the navy's carrier aviation force,' he said. 'It indicates the aircraft may have been in active service and is building combat and logistical support capabilities.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
China's J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Looks Set For Service
A new photo suggests that China's Shenyang J-35, its next-generation carrier-based fighter, may now have entered limited series production and could possibly be in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The photo joins a succession of imagery showing some of China's latest military aircraft in great detail, including previous views of the same type of jet, although still in prototype form, as you can see in our previous coverage here. Wow … as it seems, also the PLAN Naval Aviation has finally revealed its first two operational (?) J-35 fighters.(Image via @沙丘里的回声 from Weibo) — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 18, 2025 The new photo, which seems to have originally been posted on the Chinese Weibo microblogging website, is an air-to-air study of two J-35s in close formation. It appears to be an official PLAN release, and the fact that it includes aircraft construction numbers — 0011 and 0012 — strongly suggests that these are low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft. At the same time, we cannot totally rule out a disinformation effort, with LRIP-conforming numbers applied to existing prototype aircraft, for example. At the same time, the J-35s wear prominent new shark markings, as well as national insignia, on their tailfins, which might point to them being in service with the PLAN. Another shark motif appears on the tail fins of the J-15 carrier-based fighters that the PLAN also operates. Finally, the pilots wear the bright blue helmets that have frequently been seen used by Chinese naval aviators flying the J-15 with frontline units, as seen in the photo below, aboard the carrier Liaoning during a 2021 drill in the South China Sea. While we have previously gotten good air-to-air views of the J-35, the aircraft seen so far were prototypes, albeit getting increasingly closer to the likely production standard. These aircraft, in contrast, look like they are from the LRIP batch and, as such, represent the initial version of the Shenyang design that will see PLAN service, including carrier operations. A navalized variant of the land-based FC-31, the first flying J-35 prototype appears to have made its initial flight in October 2021. The second known flying J-35 prototype was subsequently spotted in July of 2022, now sporting a low-visibility gray tactical paint scheme. There was speculation that a third was pictured in flight in September 2023, although, as we noted at the time, the quality of the imagery made it difficult to ascertain whether the aircraft was indeed a navalized J-35 or a land-based FC-31 variant. Now it appears that significantly more examples of the J-35 have been completed, perhaps including the first limited-production aircraft. TWZ spoke to Andreas Rupprecht, a Chinese aviation expert and contributor to this website, for his assessment of the new J-35 photo. He said the fact that the LRIP version of the aircraft had broken cover at this point would not necessarily be a huge surprise, especially since the production version of the J-15B fighter (an enhanced carrier-based Flanker) had also appeared out of the blue, late last year. Very quickly, almost two-dozen J-15Bs were identified as being in service. Until this point, there had been no confirmation of J-15B series production, and the same may turn out to be true of the J-15. – J-15B has light grey radome, are the CATOBAR compatible, 4.5th gen (new weapons, avionics AESA etc) variant, marked red– J-15/A has dark grey radome, STOBAR production/old version, 4th gen, marked greenIn flight I see 9 J-15B, 2 J-15A, but happy for other opinions. — Rick Joe (@RickJoe_PLA) October 31, 2024 The appearance of the apparent LRIP J-35s also comes amid a flurry of other new developments in Chinese military aviation, including indications of the J-20S two-seat stealth fighter being in People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service, as well as the J-35A (the land-based version of the naval J-35). At this stage, there is still some confusion about the type of engine used by the J-35s in the new photo. What is clear, however, is that the naval J-35 and land-based J-35A appear to have different powerplants, at least at this stage. Ultimately, the advanced WS-19 was expected to power both versions, but this doesn't seem to be the case — yet. There are unconfirmed reports that the J-35A for the PLAAF already uses the definitive WS-19, identified by its characteristic darker exhaust nozzles. Meanwhile, the PLAN's J-35A, which features lighter-colored nozzles, may be powered by the WS-21, which is a heavily improved version of the earlier WS-13, as found on the first prototypes. At this stage, we don't know for sure, but there are likely to be further powerplant changes as Shenyang continues to enhance its J-35s for land-based and naval use. A first brief analysis … J-35 vs J-35A in details!Most obvious at first sight:– the engines or at least exhaust nozzles are totally different– both now use the same smaller rudder (unlike seen on naval prototypes)– both have different luneburg lenses — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 18, 2025 Both J-35s in the photo are fitted with a ventral bolt-on Luneburg lens (radar reflector). This is often used on stealth fighters when low observability is not required, when it can pose a challenge for flying in controlled civilian airspace, or when masking the aircraft's true signature from foreign intelligence. The naval version seems to be different from the reflectors on the land-based J-35A, which appear to be extendible and not bolted on. Somewhat surprisingly, there are also rumors that the J-35 has already begun carrier trials from the deck of the Type 003 Fujian, a vessel that is now undergoing pre-service trials. At this point, there is no imagery to confirm this, but with the aircraft apparently now in service, such tests are likely to commence in the not-too-distant future, if they haven't already. On the other hand, it would seem surprising if the unproven J-35 was the first fighter to be tested aboard the new carrier, rather than the long-established J-15. China has also been using land-based test sites for years to help prepare personnel for catapult-equipped carrier operations. Perhaps we will learn more about the status of the J-35 in PLAN service in September, when the aircraft is rumored to be making its public debut in a large-scale event to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. Whatever the case, there are growing signs that we will see the J-35 operating from a PLAN carrier before too long, although there is still a long way to go before the service can declare any kind of operational capability for the type. As it stands, the J-35, together with the KJ-600 carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, a type we have profiled in depth in the past, and likely also stealthy combat drones, looks set to provide notable new capabilities for China's fast-developing carrier aviation branch. Contact the author: thomas@ Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Fifth-generation fighters make cameo appearance as China unveils production facilities
For the first time, China has unveiled the production facilities of its fifth-generation fighters and hinted at its readiness for the aircraft to be catapult-launched on carriers. Advertisement At least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar of its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, during an exclusive interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday. The stealth aircraft – covered in green paint – were in the background as the TV anchor introduced the J-15T, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that is suited for catapult launch. 02:26 China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters China's biggest air show in Zhuhai features new fighter jets and helicopters Li Guoen, a test pilot for J-15 fighters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), said the J-15T had been upgraded from the J-15 with thicker struts, a catapult tow bar and dual-wheel landing gear. The efficiency of energy absorption of the front landing gear remained a major technical challenge, he said in the interview. 'You can see that the landing gear is very thick … we hope to make this structure slimmer and lighter in the future as that would give the aircraft better control.' During a CCTV report on Tuesday, at least two J-35 fighter jets were spotted in a hangar of its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. The stealth aircraft, painted green, can be seen in the background. Photo: CCTV The news package did not mention the J-35, but its shipborne version, as well as the naval fighter J-15T, are expected to be deployed on China's third aircraft carrier.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
China's Two-Seat J-20 Stealth Fighter Poised To Enter Operational Service
A flurry of new images showing the two-seat variant of China's J-20 stealth fighter has emerged online. As well as providing new views of the two-seater, which also now wears a darker paint scheme, recent imagery published on Chinese social media reveals the progress being made in other fighter programs, including the J-35 family of carrier-based and land-based stealth fighters. It has been widely assumed that the appearance of the latest imagery of the J-20S is related to this version of the stealth jet having recently entered operational service or being poised to do so. At least one photo that emerged this month has been suggested as being an indication of operational service, with the J-20S aircraft in question wearing national insignia as well as five-digit serials associated with a frontline People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) unit, specifically the 172nd Air Brigade. While the J-20S was officially unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow last year, there are rumors that it might be publicly unveiled as an operational PLAAF asset in September of this year, when the service marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. Rumors that a two-seat version of the J-20 was under development first emerged in early 2018, and the existence of the aircraft was confirmed beyond doubt by October 2021, when a prototype was noted undertaking high-speed taxi tests, as we reported at the time. To accommodate a second crewmember, the J-20's forward fuselage was redesigned. The aircraft also has enlarged tailfins and was powered from the start by locally developed WS-10C turbofan engines. With no equivalent two-seat stealth fighter in any Western inventory, the exact purpose of the J-20 has long been a source of debate. Some early assessments suggested it might be intended for electronic warfare, although this mission set is now very much the realm of the J-16D, a Chinese version of the Sukhoi Flanker multirole fighter. Of course, this could change in the future. Some kind of 'mini airborne command and control aircraft' was also a suggestion for the two-seat J-20S. More recent analysis suggests, which matches TWZ's original analysis, is that at least a significant portion of the stealth jet's mission might be in support of a growing fleet of PLAAF drones. This is a concept we have discussed in the past and which would essentially see the second crewmember control, to varying degrees, 'loyal wingman'-type drones that would accompany crewed J-20s and other aircraft into battle. In this way, the drones could fly deeper into hostile airspace, clearing a way through air defenses, for example, or otherwise supporting the crewed assets. The same concept is apparently already being explored by the PLAAF using modified J-16 fighters. The U.S. is moving full steam ahead with its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) loyal wingman drone plans, as well. So far one of the best Images of a PLAAF J-20S — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 8, 2025 Since the first flight of the J-20S prototype in November 2021, at least five other prototypes have appeared, the most recent emerging in March of this year. Presuming that the new J-20S imagery shows the jet in its definitive production form, then there are several features that are worthy of note. First, the nosecone has been reprofiled compared with earlier J-20S aircraft. This suggests that it now accommodates the same radar found in the J-20A, the improved single-seat version of the stealth jet. While unconfirmed, there are rumors that the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar in the J-20A could feature gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors. Compared with previous technology, GaN generates less heat and has the capacity to operate at higher voltages, meaning that output power can be increased, while component size can be reduced.威龙系列来源 @铁皮摄影师/wb — Húrin (@Hurin92) July 5, 2025 As well as an apparent new radar, the latest J-20S is fitted with an improved type of electro-optical system below the nose. Very similar to the F-35's Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS), this news system offers 360-degree coverage, and may also be of the same variety as fitted in the single-seat J-20A. The J-20's original electro-optical system had a limited field of view and reduced capability set, which you can read about in this past piece of ours. The second picture shows the export – version EOTS – 86 exhibited by China in 2017. Because the military considered that the core of the J – 20 should be focused on air combat, this version of EOTS was abandoned. — Andong (@andong41739) July 6, 2025 Finally, the J-20S now wears a paint camouflage scheme, with most of the airframe painted in a dark-gray finish, close to black. This is absent from the leading and trailing edges of the control surfaces, the intake 'lips,' and the radome. While unconfirmed, this might indicate a new type of radar-absorbent coating to enhance the aircraft's low-observable characteristics. Taken together, these developments indicate that China has been refining the J-20S ahead of its operational service entry and before production ramps up, although it remains to be seen what kind of force mix is planned for the single- and two-seat J-20 versions, let alone the smaller J-35A. As for the J-35, some new imagery has also emerged of the carrier-based version of the jet. In particular, we now have a much better look at the arrester hook that's fitted on the navalized J-35 version, to allow it to make carrier landings. In a recent Chinese TV report, a J-35 can be seen in the back of a construction hall, still wearing primer, with the black-and-white hook extended. If I'm not mistaken then this is the first time we see the tail-hook. — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 8, 2025 Meanwhile, recent imagery showing the J-35 in the air reveals the tidy low-observable housing for its arrester hook, which is entirely concealed between the engines when not deployed. This is a bit different arrangement to the F-35C's hook that has a shroud attached to it. While much attention has rightfully been placed on China's sixth-generation jets, two of which are now under test, for the PLAAF, the J-20 remains the most important tactical jet program, while the future of the J-35 is coming clearer into view. At the very least, these latest images reinforce just how central the J-20 remains when it comes to the service's burgeoning ambitions. Contact the author: thomas@
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
China's J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Seen Like Never Before
A new photo provides our best view so far of the Shenyang J-35, China's next-generation carrier-based fighter. It's part of a relative flurry of imagery showing some of China's latest military aircraft in unusual detail. In sharp contrast to the blurry or heavily edited shots we have become familiar with out of China in the past, these various high-quality images provide a fascinating snapshot of the breadth of developments taking place right now in China's military aerospace realm. 3501 + 3506. — Stray Helium ◂Ⓘ▸ (@Alfa_Particle) June 19, 2025 The J-35 photo at the top of this story began to circulate recently on social media and, since it's an air-to-air study, almost certainly originates from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) or another official Chinese state source. In it, we see two prototype J-35s in close formation. Of these, serial 3501 is fitted with a pitot boom for flight tests, while serial 3506 appears to be completed to something closer to a production standard, with its radome likely housing a radar. Great side-by-side comparison of the PLAAF J-20 and the PLAN Naval Aviation J-35.(Via @兰墨飞花_星海入梦日出烟燧 from Weibo) — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 19, 2025 As we have noted before, the overall external finish of the J-35 is notably smooth, in line with its low-observable requirements. However, both jets sport a ventral bolt-on Luneburg lens (radar reflector). This is customary on stealth fighters when low observability is not required, when it can pose a challenge for flying in dense airspace, or when masking the aircraft's true signature from foreign intelligence. Meanwhile, another pair of photos of serial 3506, which are of somewhat lower quality, are nonetheless very interesting. Seen from the rear aspect, they provide a better look at the engines, thought to be locally produced WS-13E turbofans, which have distinctive 'serrated' nozzles. Based on this same image, there's been speculation that it might show a cannon port, above the left-hand air intake. If that's correct, it would be the first indication that the J-35 has an internal gun, a feature that has been notably troublesome in the F-35, which the Chinese jet is often described in the mainstream press as being a copy of. J-35 stealth carrier fighter (prototype 3506) possibly with serrated WS-13/E turbofan engines. It was seen flying alongside a group of J-15 is most interesting is what appears to be a gun-port for autocannons (2nd image), which is the small protrusion above the air… — Eurasia Naval Insight (@EurasiaNaval) June 18, 2025 Not evident in this view, of course, are the various advanced sensors and weapons that the J-35 is expected to feature, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. A navalized variant of the land-based FC-31, the first flying J-35 prototype made its initial flight, at least that we know of, in October 2021, sporting a blue-green primer finish and wearing the serial 3501. The second known flying J-35 prototype, serial 3503, was subsequently spotted in July of 2022 with a low-visibility gray tactical paint scheme. There was speculation that a third was pictured in flight in September 2023, although, as we noted at the time, the quality of the imagery made it difficult to ascertain whether the aircraft was indeed a navalized J-35 or a land-based FC-31 variant. Since then, we've had growing indications that the J-35 might eventually operate from the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN) two in-service carriers, the Type 001 Liaoning and the Type 002 Shandong, as well as future carriers fitted with catapults and arrestor gear, including the Type 003 Fujian, which is now undergoing pre-service trials. Late last year, China publicly unveiled the J-35A, a land-based stealth fighter version of the FC-31/J-35 that has been under development for some time and which you can read about in more detail here. There is also growing speculation that Pakistan will become the first export recipient of the J-35 (likely under the FC-31 export designation). In early 2024, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) boss, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Sidhu, stated the service was planning to buy the stealth fighters, as we discussed at the time. Earlier this month, Pakistan's government stated on X that the country had been offered '40 fifth-generation Shenyang J-35 stealth aircraft, Shaanxi KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), and HQ-19 air defense systems from China,' according to an online translation. As well as the new J-35 photos, a number of new images have recently appeared showing another aircraft set to be a critical component of China's future carrier air wings. This is the KJ-600 carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, a type we have also profiled in depth in the past. New photos of the KJ-600 in the air provide us with our best look at this aircraft, too, including its close similarity with the E-2 Hawkeye, which fulfills the same role aboard U.S. Navy carriers. KJ-600 AEW&C — David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) June 20, 2025 諾斯羅普格魯曼：法官大人，我指控中國人像素級抄襲了我們的E-2預警機西飛工業集團：我認罪 — 飞刀 (@chaoyinsukandao) June 20, 2025 The KJ-600 initially began flight trials in the fall of 2020 and is being developed by the Xi'an Aircraft Company. Once integrated aboard the Fujian (and likely other PLAN carriers that will follow that warship), the radar plane will bring some significant benefits to the wider PLAN, as we described in the past: 'In terms of the role that the KJ-600 will play in the air wing that the PLAN appears to be assembling for its newest Fujian aircraft carrier, it will be tasked with extending the carrier's radar range dramatically, especially when it comes to spotting low-flying objects or even surface contacts, similar to how the E-2 operates. This is on top of working as a battlespace manager. Controllers onboard will vector aircraft as needed and work as central command and control and battlespace awareness elements for highly coordinated missions. The KJ-600's radar picture and other passive sensor systems' data will be linked back to the carrier group and to other tactical aircraft for real-time exploitation. Working as a central data-fusion and rebroadcasting node is also a good possibility.' There's another new Chinese type that we have gotten our best look at so far, also an AEW&C platform, in this case, the land-based KJ-3000. Wow what a start for the weekend: The so far clearest image of the new KJ-3000 AEW.(Image via Mike / @MIKE76665355725) — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) June 20, 2025 The first, low-quality photos of the KJ-3000 began to appear last December, as we reported at the time. Based on the four-jet Y-20 cargo plane, the KJ-3000 is part of a fast-expanding and diversifying fleet of Chinese AEW&C aircraft, which also includes multiple iterations based on the four-turboprop Y-9 series of airlifters. The KJ-3000 falls into the 'heavyweight' category and is expected to supplement — and eventually replace entirely — the KJ-2000 Mainring, which is, to date, China's largest dedicated AEW&C aircraft. You can read about it and China's wider AEW&C developments in this previous in-depth article. Finally, there is also some impressive new imagery of some better-established Chinese military aircraft. The photos embedded in the tweet below provide some very good views of the J-20 stealth fighter, the J-15T carrier-based fighter, the H-6N missile carrier, and the Y-9FQ anti-submarine warfare aircraft. 9.3閲兵訓練J-20、J-15T、H-6N、Y-9FQ etc……(photo by 欧阳潼舢:Canon EOS R5II+RF1200/8) — お砂糖wsnbn (@sugar_wsnbn) June 17, 2025 Whether or not the appearance of these photos is indicative of a new degree of openness in China is doubtful. On the other hand, Beijing clearly has a desire to publicize recent military achievements, at least where this is deemed appropriate or advantageous. Regardless, the imagery certainly underscores the dramatic progress being made in Chinese military aviation. Contact the author: thomas@
