Similar to the F-35B: "strange" features of the new Chinese fighter
One plus one
The last months have turned out to be more than fruitful for the aircraft industry of the PRC. The Celestial Empire has begun flight tests of the first stories two-seat fighter the fifth generation, based on the "invisible" J-20. This machine is increasingly seen as a platform for UAV control, which will be the responsibility of the weapons operator.
Even more interesting is another novelty - a carrier-based fighter, which also took to the skies for the first time not so long ago. The word "new", as in the case of the J-20, can be applied conventionally. The vehicle, sometimes unofficially referred to as the J-35, is an evolution of the Shenyang FC-31, which first flew into the skies on October 31, 2012. Meanwhile, it differs from the basic version much more strongly than the serial Su-57 from its prototype.
The FC-31 itself is a cross between the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor. Moreover, it is not a "copy" of either one or the other. Not even the Russian fifth-generation fighter Su-57.
Like many stealth fighters, the aircraft has two engines, a V-tail and one pilot's seat. All this was inherited by the deck version, however, an important difference immediately attracts attention, which was among the first to be noticed by the English-language edition of The Drive.
Features of the novelty
Prior to the appearance of the latest version FC-31, the prototype and subsequent improved version had a “domed” canopy with a good view of the rear hemisphere. The new version features a completely redesigned canopy and cockpit layout. De facto, the pilot does not have the ability to normally see what is happening behind: the upper part of the fuselage "merges" with the rear part of the canopy.
Something similar can be seen on the F-35, but not on the most massive land-based version (A), and not on the deck (C), but on the F-35B short-takeoff and vertical landing aircraft designed for universal amphibious assault ships.
The American pilot is also largely "blind" when it comes to the view of the rear hemisphere. However, there is a nuance here. Firstly, in the case of the F-35B, the victim was forced and was dictated by the need to place a lifting fan behind the cockpit, without which the plane would not have been able to land vertically. In addition, the camera system should allow the 35's pilot to see "through" the aircraft, thanks to an innovative helmet-mounted display. How this was realized in practice is another question, now we will not touch on it. It is known that the inability to look "over the shoulder" still remains a serious problem for American pilots.
Does this mean that China is developing a short take-off and vertical landing aircraft? Such a fighter can be useful for light aircraft carriers or aircraft carriers that do not have launching catapults. These include, for example, the new British aircraft carrier "Queen Elizabeth", for which, after abandoning the catapult, the F-35B was chosen instead of the proposed F-35C. The very need to develop the "B" -version was dictated by the presence of the United States of universal amphibious assault ships, for which this issue, due to the limited space on the deck, is even more acute.
What do we see in the PRC example? The Chinese have already built several Type 075 universal amphibious assault ships, which have become some of the largest warships in Chinese history. However, for all its merits, this is not an analogue of the American UDC of the "America" type, on which the F-35 are based. The 75th is a "clean" helicopter carrier, capable of carrying about 30 rotorcraft.
In addition, Beijing has two aircraft carriers - Shandong and Liaoning. They are devoid of launching catapults, but have large jumps that allow launching the heavy J-15 - the Chinese version of the Su-33. The third aircraft carrier currently under construction will receive a catapult. As well as the subsequent ones, one must assume. It is for them that the new fighter is being created.
Thus, China has no direct need for a short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft. The reason for the "strange" appearance of the J-35 may lie elsewhere. Perhaps the Chinese decided to make the most of the interior space so that the plane could carry as much fuel as possible. This is critical for two reasons. First, huge sea areas traditionally require a large combat radius. Second, if a fifth generation fighter wants to remain “invisible,” it should not carry outboard fuel tanks.
Finally, the extremely large internal arms bays impose restrictions. It is for the reasons listed above that the American F-35 looks "bloated", which is often reproached for calling "flying fuel tank"(And other, even less flattering nicknames).
It cannot be ruled out that the layout of the Chinese deck boat was dictated by aerodynamic requirements or by the need to place some kind of equipment behind the lantern. However, all this could be done without resorting to such a sharp limitation of the pilot's view.
The main violin of the naval war
Be that as it may, we will hardly know the whole truth about the new plane in the near future (not the fact that it will ever be known at all). This applies to its flight and technical qualities, stealth indicators, avionics and arsenal of weapons. One thing is certain. The arrival of the F-35C counterpart opens a whole new chapter in the history of the Chinese Navy.
Now the basis of his deck aviation - the aforementioned Shenyang J-15. It is a fourth generation fighter that is often criticized for its high accident rate, general underdevelopment and lack of stealth technology. The only real advantages of the machine over the old Su-33 can be called a higher level of avionics and a much wider arsenal of aviation weapons. However, neither one nor the other is not enough to effectively counter the American carrier-based F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, not to mention the fifth-generation F-35C fighter.
Thus, the Shandong and Liaoning with their J-15s cannot be viewed as effective measures against the US Navy. De facto, we are now only at the beginning of the formation of a truly powerful aircraft carrier strike group in Beijing. Her story begins with the advent of the Type 003.
The new deck boat may become a key part of the AUG of the future, but not the only potentially effective one. weapons against the US Navy. Recently, the Chinese showed a slide showing a clash between the American and Chinese aircraft carrier strike groups. The emphasis was placed not on manned vehicles, but on the use of GJ-11 UAVs, which they want to launch from UDC type 075 and which can carry large precision bombs and missiles.
Fifth-generation carrier-based fighters are also present in the image: they fly behind the UAV and provide cover.
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