Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 Gry Falcon is advanced fifth generation fighter jet developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation of china. Shenyang Corporation which is state owned corporation developed the aircraft privately because Chengdu Corporation won the contract of developing fifth generation fighter jet that is J-20 for people liberation army air force PLAAF .J-31 is known as Gyrfalcon as Gyrfalcons are largest of the falcon species which are fierce predators for their preys. Unlike J -20 which is china’s most advanced and sophisticated fifth generation fighter aircraft J-31 will be available for export to other nations most expected and potential buyer is Pakistan. As Pakistan Air Force PAF announced that it has initiated the process of acquisition of Shenyang FC- 31or J-31 from china.

Public revelation of Shenyang FC-31 or J-31

J-31 photos were leaked in September 2011 and after sometime Chinese authorities acknowledged the program existence of J-31 and referred the prototype as J-21 or J-31 .The Airframe was first revealed by Chinese officials on 12 November 2014 at Zhuhai Airshow.
First Maiden flight of Shenyang FC -31 or J-31
The J-31 Gry falcon made its first maiden flight on 31 October 2012.the flight was accompanied by two J-11 fighter jets of PLAAF .Total duration of flight was almost ten minutes.

Design of Shenyang FC -31 or J-31

Shenyang FC- 31 or J -31 is much smaller than China’s other stealth aircraft J-20 or its American counterparts which are F-22 and F-35.Unlike J-20 it has no canard wings which makes it more stealthy than J-20. Leaked photos of FC- 31 also suggested that aircraft has two wheel or twin wheels landing gear mostly designed for aircraft carriers .It also indicated that intention of PLAAF is to deploy FC- 31 or J- 31 on aircraft carriers .The Shenyang FC -31 or J-31 is designed as air superiority fighter aircraft which can do offensive and defensive missions in all weather conditions. The aircraft also possess stealth capabilities like diverterless supersonic inlet DSI which reduces and minimizes radar reflection and two piece canopy. The Shenyang J-31 has radar absorbent material making it stealthier

Airframe of Shenyang FC 31 or 

Shenyang FC- 31 or J-31 has two internal weapon bay system on fuselage which can carry up to two medium range missiles. The Shenyang FC -31 is single seated twin engine multirole aircraft with total length of 17 meters and wingspan of almost 11.5 meters. The aircraft has two heavy external hard points with one light hard point on each wing which means Shenyang J-31 or FC-31 has total number of three external hard points. Unlike American F35 it has no center mounted gunnery or jamming pod. Chinese official indicated that there will be more external hard points for Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 .Most American and western defense analysts also criticized the aircraft’s sheer resemblance with United States F22 raptor and F35.

Avionics

The Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 uses state of the art avionics and most sophisticated radar technology. Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 Gry Falcon uses AESA radar which is (active electronically scanned array ) it also has helmet mounted sight with electro optical targeted system EOT which provides precision and accuracy in air to air and air to ground target capability. It has distribution aperture system DAS which makes it more stealthy and lethal. The Shenyang FC-31 also possess infrared search and track system. The Shenyang FC-31 will also have inflight refueling probe either through aerial boom or through probe and drogue method. FC-31 or J-31 also use state of art, and highly sophisticated electronic counter measures which will make aircraft stealthy and low observable.
Engine
Shenyang FC- 31 or J-31 is twin engine multirole fighter jet .The aircraft uses two RD 93 turbofan engines. China is still lacking in development of indigenous engines and relies heavily on Russian engines. RD 93 engines of Shenyang FC-31 are developed by Russian company Klimov.Same engine is used by JF 17 Thunder which is jointly manufactured by Pakistan and China. Each engine of Shenyang FC 31 can generate thrust of 84KN.Acoording to latest information from Chinese officials Shenyang FC -31 or J -31 will use indigenously manufactured WS -19 engines. The maximum thrust force of WS-19 engine will be almost 9 tons which will enhance aircraft super cruise capabilities.
Speed and Range
Shenyang FC -31 or J-31 has maximum speed of 2200 km/h and can offer maximum range of 2000 km when external fuel tanks are fitted. The Shenyang FC 31 has ability to reach the maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at high altitude and Mach 1.4 at sea levels
Payloads and Armaments
Shenyang FC- 31 can carry a total payload of 8000kg .The internal weapon bay systems can carry 2000 kg payload while external six hard points can carry total payload of 6000 kg.Significance armament of Shenyang FC-31 is PL15 ,PL12 short range air to air missile. In future there is possibility that J 31 will be loaded with PL 21 missile which is VLRAAM (Very long range air to air missile).PL 21 can be travel very long distance as it has throttle able ramjet motor which give it acceleration in late flight. The PL 21 has projected range of 186-250 miles.

Stealth Capabilities of FC- 31
The Shenyang FC -31 or J -31 has external stealth coating. Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 will enjoy its stealth abilities against L and Ku band radars. It has ability to do offensive missions and to strike first on enemy without being spotting on enemy radars.
Overall features of Shenyang FC -31 or J -31
• Crew One pilot
• Weapons Capacity Two internal weapon bay system
• External Hard points 6 external hard points
• Length 17 meters
• Maximum range 2000km
• No of Engines 2 Engines
• Wingspan 11.5 meters
• Maximum speed Mach 1.8
• Total Payload Capacity 8000 kg
• Missiles and Armaments PL-12, PL-15, PL-21
• AAM 12 medium range
• AGM 8 supersonic range
• Maximum takeoff weight 2500kg
Variants of Shenyang FC-31 or J-31
Next Variant of Shenyang FC-31 or J -31Gryfalcon will be J- 35.According to Chinese media J-35 will be a naval version which will be designed mostly for aircraft carriers.and J-35 variant is not available for exports.
Production line and export to other countries
Shenyang Corporation never released the details of production line of FC-31 or J-31 but after announcement of PAF chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu on January 2024 that Pakistan Air force has laid foundations for acquisition of FC -31 indicated that aircraft will be ready for exports in upcoming years. Clearly Shenyang FC-31 or J-31 will make it place in international market for various reasons first due to its low cost and acceptable pricing as compare to its rivals Su-57 and F-35. Secondly due to advanced avionics and state of the art stealth capabilities which make it efficient competitor among other fifth generation fighter aircrafts. And lastly political restrictions will also promote international buyers and nations to look upon Shenyang FC-31 or J -31 fighter aircraft.

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