The latest photos of the J-35 from test flights have garnered attention from both domestic and foreign media on social media platforms. Combining these with previous images of the J-35 on the Liaoning aircraft carrier has sparked a topic for foreign media: there may be a serious issue with the J-35 on the Liaoning, with payload capacity potentially becoming a significant constraint on the combat capability of the J-35!
Changes in the J-35: What’s the Impact?
This photo surfaced online in early March, with an undisclosed location. However, considering the J-35 is still in the testing phase, it’s speculated to be near the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s test flight facility. The landing gear is already down, indicating it’s not far from the airfield. Since it’s not a maiden flight, the landing gear should normally be retracted during flight, so the lowered state suggests it’s preparing to land.
The altitude is approximately 500-600 meters, already at low altitude, with various aerodynamic surfaces clearly visible. There are significant differences compared to before, and the most noticeable change is the disappearance of the pitot tube! When the pitot tube disappeared from the J-2, everyone knew pressure sensors replaced it, indicating the completion of a crucial aspect of flight testing.
Other differences are not significant, such as the landing gear being fixed in the upright position and the wingtip design remaining unchanged. This indicates the aircraft’s configuration is finalized and unlikely to undergo major changes. The upright landing gear may affect internal space, but it’s advantageous due to its simple structure, long stroke, and lightweight nature. It’s a compromise solution since fighter jets can’t have everything and must find a middle ground.
The wingtip design is aimed at reducing RCS (Radar Cross Section) since electromagnetic waves scatter at sharp points, increasing radar reflection. As a medium-sized fifth-generation stealth carrier-based aircraft, the J-35 certainly wouldn’t miss the opportunity to reduce RCS. However, implementing this sharp design isn’t straightforward, as seen with South Korea’s KF-21 and Turkey’s 5th generation TF-X.
The J-35 is designed for the Chinese Navy as a carrier-based medium-sized stealth fighter, featuring a conventional single-wing layout, twin vertical tails, and stealth design, with a belly weapons bay. According to data from WIKI, the J-35 has dimensions of 17.3 meters in length, 11.5 meters in wingspan, 4.8 meters in height, with a payload capacity of 8 tons, a normal takeoff weight of 17.5 tons, and a maximum takeoff weight of 28 tons. It’s powered by two WS-13 engines, with a top speed of 1.8 Mach and a combat radius of 1200 kilometers.
The J-35 is also China’s first carrier-based stealth fighter, and China is the second country globally to equip two types of stealth fighters. While the J-35 isn’t perfect, it’s undoubtedly a highly capable fighter. We acknowledge rational analysis but reject baseless nitpicking, such as what’s seen in the US media TWZ’s criticisms.
Will Liaoning Carrier Upgrade Catapults? Otherwise, J-35 Combat Capability Restricted?
Following the circulation of the J-35 test flight photos on social media, American media also paid close attention. TWZ specifically published an article introducing the J-35 and highlighted its appearance on the Liaoning carrier previously. They believe the J-35’s presence will enhance the Liaoning’s combat capabilities, but there’s a significant problem!
Will the Liaoning carrier upgrade to electromagnetic catapults?
The issue raised by American media is that the J-35 is a carrier-based fighter adapted for electromagnetic catapults. Even on the Liaoning’s ski-jump deck, there’s still a payload capacity problem, even on the longest 195-meter runway for takeoff. The “standard equipment” for the Liaoning’s J-15 fighter jets at this position includes two YJ-83 anti-ship missiles, two medium-range missiles, two close-range missiles, along with full internal fuel. This constitutes the standard loadout for the J-15’s carrier-based full takeoff.
TWZ suggests that if it were the J-35, it might not be able to reach this payload even on a heavily loaded takeoff. At most, it could possibly carry only one anti-ship missile. If organizing a joint anti-ship assault, it might require launching half as many fighters again. This may be a fact that even equipping the Liaoning with J-35 cannot change! So, is this really the case?
There are several possible answers. One is whether the Liaoning carrier could possibly upgrade to electromagnetic catapults. The angle of the electromagnetic catapult on a ski-jump deck isn’t the main issue. Alternatively, installing a catapult at the end of the angled landing deck is feasible. However, the Liaoning carrier has already attained combat capability, and retrofitting an electromagnetic catapult onto the deck would be structurally challenging, as the internal structure is fixed. Moreover, the deck, besides supporting aircraft takeoff and landing, is also part of the entire hull, with structural stresses needing to be balanced. Installing catapult slots now would have a significant impact on the overall strength of the aircraft carrier.
Hence, the likelihood of this possibility is almost zero! Another consideration is TWZ’s claim that the J-35 isn’t adapted for the Liaoning. When Shenyang Aircraft Corporation designed the J-35, the Liaoning and Shandong carriers were already in service. It’s improbable that the new design of the J-35 wouldn’t be adapted for the older carriers, especially considering both carriers are significant naval assets. Therefore, it’s doubtful that the J-35 wasn’t adapted for the Liaoning early on. This adaptation only requires land-based simulated takeoffs and doesn’t necessarily need carrier-based adaptation, although subsequent integration and testing of carrier takeoffs would still be necessary.
Therefore, I believe TWZ’s claim of insufficient payload capacity shouldn’t be a major concern. Moreover, the arrival of the J-35 will undoubtedly enhance the Liaoning’s combat capabilities. As a medium-sized fifth-generation stealth fighter, even assuming air superiority missions on the Liaoning, it can significantly alleviate the pressure on the J-15. This is definitely a positive development, and foreign media’s fuss is just a reflection of their inability to see China’s successes.