China recently tested the latest version of what they call a Fifth Generation Stealth fighter, the FC-31 Gyrfalcon. Reports are that China hopes to sell the aircraft to other countries as they compete with the F-35 for international sales.
The new FC-31 has “better stealth capabilities, improved electronic equipment and a larger payload capacity” than the previous version which debuted in October 2012, the China Daily newspaper said, quoting aviation expert Wu Peixin. “Changes were made to the airframe, wings and vertical tails which make it leaner, lighter and more manoeuvrable,” Wu told the paper.
Previously known as the J-31, the twin engine, radar evading aircraft is still under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corp, part of the Aviation Industry Corp of China.
The first test flight of the FC-31’s second prototype took place on Friday morning at Shenyang Aircraft Corp, four years after the first prototype took to the skies, sources said. – China Daily News
Watch What is Probably the J-31 Take Flight
The FC-31 Gyrfalcon is reportedly an updated and enhanced version of the J-31 fighter. It will be China’s second stealth aircraft following the J-20 pictured below.
Featured Image of the Shenyang J-31 (F60) at the 2014 Zhuhai Air Show
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