Chinese J‑35A stealth jet set for debut at Airshow China 2024
The Chinese army reports that Beijing's second stealth fighter, the J-35A, will officially debut during the 15th edition of Airshow China 2024, beginning on November 12 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The aircraft had already been spotted at Zhuhai Airport, and the photos revealed details of the fighters that had been developed for the Chinese Air Force. What is known about it?
3:11 PM EST, November 7, 2024
The upcoming edition of Airshow China 2024 promises to be an event full of interesting debuts. For the first time, the Russian Su-57 fighter will participate, which was observed in China as early as November 3 and quickly became the subject of ridicule due to visible shortcomings in its quality. During the show, the J-35A, China's second stealth fighter, will also debut publicly. The People's Liberation Army Air Force stated that its presentation will be part of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the unit, which will take place during the show. For this reason, the aircraft received the tactical number 75.
New Chinese stealth fighter
If the aircraft enters service, China will become the second country after the US to have two types of stealth fighters, according to experts cited by Chinese state media, reports CNN. The United States has the F-35 and F-22 fighters in its arsenal. For China, they will be the J-35A and the Chengdu J-20.
It is worth noting, however, that the F-35 fighter possesses more advanced stealth technologies. As noted by The Aviationist, this primarily refers to the coatings covering the structure, the materials used, as well as the capabilities for sensor integration and data processing. The US has longer experience in low observability, so the true features of the J-35 are not fully known yet.
The J-35A comes in two versions: a basic model and a naval model capable of operating from aircraft carriers. The naval variant has recently undergone take-off and landing tests on Chinese aircraft carriers, including the modern Fujian, which uses an electromagnetic catapult to launch aircraft. Due to its smaller size compared to the J-20 and optimized wing design, the J-35A is more maneuverable, making it better suited for short-range dogfighting.
The J-35A's design is based on indigenous technology. The target engine is the WS-13E, which aims to improve the aircraft's performance, maneuverability, and operational range. The Chinese defense industry actively promotes this model abroad, attracting the attention of potential buyers, including countries looking for cheaper alternatives to the American F-35.
