J-31 hand-wringing by some in the US

Hoping China will not achieve parity and superiority in a variety of defense fields is not an option.

But some still try.

Depending on an F-35 fan for most of your quotes. Well, good luck with that.

Admittedly, by those standards even the F-22 and F-35 are not completely fifth-generation, Cliff said, “but since, like the F-35, the J-31 doesn’t look like it will have super-cruise or thrust-vectoring, whether it is more than just a stealthy fourth-generation fighter will depend on whether it comes with an AESA radar and/or high-bandwidth, low-probability-of-intercept data links, which the F-35 does have.”

The physical resemblance between the J-31 and the F-35 — despite the difference in relative size — indicates an effort by China to reproduce the F-35s stealthy external design, Timperlake said.

“If it is a success in being physically stealthy and they build a lot it could be a problem” for our allies in the region, he said.

However, stealth is simply a survivability feature and analysts must learn more about the internal systems. The real combat engagement operational and tactical question is the F-35 fusion cockpit and whether the Chinese actually have anything close to it, Timperlake said.

“Fusion will make all the difference in looking at the J-31 as a real competitor or just a linear generational development aircraft with perhaps enhanced survivability that will still need a hub spoke battle management [concept of operations] — [airborne warning and control system] or [ground-controlled interception] being essential for them,” he said.

The J-31 has to be:

-More reliable than the F-35
-More affordable than the F-35
-More numerous than the F-35

And it can suffer some inferiority...like its F-4 Phantom-ish, smoky engines.

I suspect that with it size and two engines, it might have--due to less drag--a little better range than the Hornet family.

This isn't bad when you look at the distance (as a defensive fighter) needed around communist China. It can hold the fort while the J-20 goes long.

If the J-31 ends up replacing the hundreds of aging fighter inventory on hand, they will be doing OK.

And it is doubtful that we have enough aircraft to take them on.

As for the silly comment by the F-35 fan above...

...that will still need a hub spoke battle management [concept of operations] — [airborne warning and control system] or [ground-controlled interception] being essential for them,” he said.

Done and dusted.

Also, because the J-31 was not destroyed in its design like all F-35 variants with STOVL design requirements, shaping and weapons bays will be much better. I suspect also that they will have basic helmet cueing ability as opposed to the troubled F-35 DAS, helmet.... and no HUD.

Essentially the U.S. has no justification to build the F-35 because it won't be able to do anything of worth for the cost to own and operate.

Foreign buyers for the J-31? Hard to say. Maybe...no one. All the production slots would be best used for home. BRICS or not, India still holds some concern. As does, Japan and Vietnam. A lot of contingency plans to account for.