Chinese SAC - FC-31/J-35 5th Gen Stealth Aircraft

[Deino]

With these new numbers, how many do you reckon are in service? @Deino

At the moment there are 4 individual aircraft identified: No. 80, 81, 82 and 93

 

[Michael]

J-35A
61820 / 61822 / 61823

 

[Deino]

J-35A
61820 / 61822 / 61823
View attachment 144642
View attachment 144643
View attachment 144644
View attachment 144645
View attachment 144646

... and 61821

 

[Michael]

 

[RajaBaja]

View attachment 144681

This has side weapon bays also right? I can see the skin cut for bay opening on the left side. So the total missile load would be 6 BVR + 2 HOBS WVR?

 

[Deino]

This has side weapon bays also right? I can see the skin cut for bay opening on the left side. So the total missile load would be 6 BVR + 2 HOBS WVR?

No, these are no side-bays

 

[TopGun786]

View attachment 144681

The picture I wanted to see

 

[FHN]

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[F-22Raptor]

What about total gen 4 + gen 5? Around 2000?

It’s over 2,500+

 

[Han Patriot]

It’s over 2,500+

So it is around 2500, China has around 1800 now, maybe might get parity around 2030

 

[RajaBaja]

So it is around 2500, China has around 1800 now, maybe might get parity around 2030

That's inaccurate. Estimated combat fleet of USAF + USN + Marines is over 3000. A growing number of force multiplier i.e. the F-35 will reach a thousand soon and by 2030, probably near 1500.

What you need to factor in also, is that US keeps a massive fleet of aircraft as "reserves". These include early retired aircrafts and some embargoed and little used at it's "Boneyard". Within a few week's time, in a conflict, you'd have a few thousand extra jets available. Additionally, the US can get NATO aircraft under it's command in a conflict under article 5. So really, to create or "feel" parity, the Chinese forces need to hit at minimum 4000 aircrafts, ideally between 4000-5000 aircraft is better. Plus they need to be deployed on AC's and on land based airbases away from the Chinese mainland. Otherwise, the wars will be fought too close to the Chinese mainland and will effect its infrastructure.

 

[Ali_Baba]

That's inaccurate. Estimated combat fleet of USAF + USN + Marines is over 3000. A growing number of force multiplier i.e. the F-35 will reach a thousand soon and by 2030, probably near 1500.

What you need to factor in also, is that US keeps a massive fleet of aircraft as "reserves". These include early retired aircrafts and some embargoed and little used at it's "Boneyard". Within a few week's time, in a conflict, you'd have a few thousand extra jets available. Additionally, the US can get NATO aircraft under it's command in a conflict under article 5.

The USA can only invoke Article 5 if China attacks the USA first. If the USA attacks first, and China retaliates by attacking the USA mainland, Article 5 of the defence treaty does not apply.

 

[Michael]

In its latest program, CCTV released some information about the naval version of the J-35.

It is a stealth fighter aircraft mainly used for air superiority operations.

It is compatible with both CATOBAR and STOBAR take-off and landing modes.
====================================
So, it will not only be deployed on the Fujian aircraft carrier, it will also be deployed on the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers.

 

[52051]

That's inaccurate. Estimated combat fleet of USAF + USN + Marines is over 3000. A growing number of force multiplier i.e. the F-35 will reach a thousand soon and by 2030, probably near 1500.

What you need to factor in also, is that US keeps a massive fleet of aircraft as "reserves". These include early retired aircrafts and some embargoed and little used at it's "Boneyard". Within a few week's time, in a conflict, you'd have a few thousand extra jets available. Additionally, the US can get NATO aircraft under it's command in a conflict under article 5. So really, to create or "feel" parity, the Chinese forces need to hit at minimum 4000 aircrafts, ideally between 4000-5000 aircraft is better. Plus they need to be deployed on AC's and on land based airbases away from the Chinese mainland. Otherwise, the wars will be fought too close to the Chinese mainland and will effect its infrastructure.

If anything, most of the US 4th gen fighters are outdated.

If your last air combat is of any indications, the latest 4th generation fighters like J-16D, J-11C and J-10C equiped with GaN+ AESA radars and PL-15s may have an exchange rate of 50-1 to 100-1 against most of the US legacy 4th generation fighters, like F-15/16 etc.

Sure the US do have some of the new iteration of 4th gen fighters like F-15EX, but the production rate is so low such that US manage to build about the same amount of F-15EX as China build our type 055 destroyers during the simiiliar time frame.

As for stealth fighters, sure the US have more at the moment, but if the war break out in east asia area, the slow speed and limited combat radius of F-35 make it almost unless and pointless (easy to be disabled due to its very long support chain).

So in terms of air combat power China now is already at the top of hill, it is the supply aircrafts and strategic bombers that China lag behind, but it is not a critical weakness in east asia, but I admit it will become a problem for place far away from China.

 

[That_Guy]

The USA can only invoke Article 5 if China attacks the USA first. If the USA attacks first, and China retaliates by attacking the USA mainland, Article 5 of the defence treaty does not apply.

This is correct.