Chinese J-35 stealth fighter goes to sea: aircraft carrier tests coming soon

 J-35

China is actively preparing for combat duty its new fifth—generation fighter, the J-35, which is already undergoing limited mass production. This is not just another military aircraft — it is a full-fledged carrier-based stealth fighter designed to be based on aircraft carriers. And, apparently, there is very little left before full-fledged admission to the Chinese Navy.

What is the J-35?

It is an inconspicuous fighter with a streamlined body, modern electronic warfare systems and powerful weapons. It is compact in size — about 17.3 meters in length and 11.5 meters in wingspan. That is, he is maneuverable, fast and at the same time a serious fighter.

Its maximum speed is up to Mach 2 (about 2200 km / h), which is higher than that of the American F-35 (1.6 Mach). The combat range is about 1200-1300 km without outboard tanks, and with them — up to 2100 km.

Armament: What can it carry?

The J-35 can carry up to 8 tons of payload.:

- 6 suspension points inside — to keep it unobtrusive;

- 6 more are outside if more weapons are needed.

In his arsenal:

- PL-10 melee missiles,

- PL-12 medium-range missiles,

- anti-ship and anti-radar missiles.

That is, it is capable of destroying both air, land and sea targets.

How is the J-35 better than others?

- Two engines, rather than one, as in the F-35 — this gives better maneuverability and safety margin.

- More combat load, especially in the inner compartments.

- The speed is higher than that of the F-35.

- The wings are folded, which means it is convenient to place on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

- The ability to take off from a catapult is an important condition for naval aviation.

The J-35 is currently being prepared for testing on the Liaoning aircraft carrier. If everything goes well, it will be officially adopted and used in real combat missions.

This is a step forward for the Chinese navy: aircraft carriers will receive serious air support, and China will be able to assert itself more strongly in the Asia-Pacific region.

The J-35 is not just a copy of the F-35. It is a full-fledged competitor that can give China an advantage in maritime operations. It will be interesting to follow his tests on an aircraft carrier.