AVIC Reveals Details of J/FC-31 Stealth Fighter, Does NOT Have a Customer yet

China showcased its first stealth fighter jet here on the opening day of the Dubai Air Show, but so far the fifth-generation aircraft has no customers in sight.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is “in negotiations” with the Chinese Air Force to buy the multi-role FC-31, AVIC project manager Lin Peng told reporters on Sunday. Peng declined to say when a deal would be finalized.

Top company officials briefed the media on the stealth characteristics and attack capabilities of the FC-31, but did not take questions from the audience.

This is the first time the Chinese company has showcased the FC-31 [ed], also known as the J-31 internationally, although a prototype aircraft flew during the Zhuhai Air Show in China last year. Chinese fighters are designated with a “J” for fighter and “FC” for export.

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No details were given about the FC-31’s sensor suite or weapons, but AVIC says this equipment and communications equipment can be tailored to customer requirements.

The aircraft has six external hardpoints, with an internal weapons bay that can carry a further four munitions. Payload is 8,000kg (17,600lb), of which 2,000kg can be carried internally. Combat radius with internal weapons is 648nm (1,200km), and maximum take-off weight is 55,000kg.

The first flight of a production example is planned for 2019, followed by initial operating capability in 2022 and final operating capability three years' later.

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First off, let me say its a bit refreshing to see a foreign aviation company giving more realistic dates associated with production, IOC and FOC. We're constantly hearing some insanely fast dates from, say, the Russians.

Secondly, if its true the J-31 has no customer, not even the Chinese military, its an interesting puzzler. Why would the Chinese Air Force NOT want to buy it? Additionally, the FC-31 not finding a foreign customer even in, say, Pakistan is interesting. I'd think Pakistan would want something like this for dealing with India. Cost perhaps?

a reply to: anzha

Perhaps because of Hillary's secret email server and content, the content that never reached the Chinese why have a copy when you can have the REAL thing

These are probably cheap. US should buy some, slap some US electronics in there to supplement the expensive F-35's.
I mean why not...if they are cheap =). If nothing else buy some for aggressor squadrons to use.

a reply to: Xeven

We would have to replace the Engines ,airframe and avionics as our aircraft production has more elaborate quality control measures and those aircraft would have to be cerified by USAF edicts.

a reply to: anzha

This was always going go be an export aircraft. They were trying to market to those nations that wanted an F-35 type aircraft but either weren't allowed to buy them or couldn't afford them. China was always looking at the J-18 and J-21 for domestic use.

a reply to: Zaphod58

There was a point when a mock up of the J-31 was on the building made up like an aircraft carrier in China (saw the picture on a Chinese blog before WiB got it, but can't find the original any more). I am guessing for verifying clearances.

a reply to: anzha

Yeah, they designed it for carrier ops as well. You can tell by the landing gear. It would work on a STOBAR deck which is what many countries in the Asia area use.

a reply to: Zaphod58

That makes me wonder if the reason Chinese haven't bought it is because their carriers are not quite ready.

a reply to: anzha

They could use them on the Liaoning. It's operational, as much as it can be at this point in time.

Either the Airforce is waiting to see how the build plays out in bug squashing and engine failures or waiting on new info to come through.