Aviation

China displays the most recent J-35 stealth fighter with a new jet engine. WS-21

For the first time, a high-resolution image of a Chinese Shenyag J 35 surfaced, as evidence of China’s competitive edge over western aircraft in the production of commercial and military aircraft.

China may enter a new aircraft in the Fifth Generation Fighter race. The US has created two fighter jets, the F22 and F35, while on the other side, Russia has built one fifth-generation fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57, and will soon begin production on a second Su 75 that will be used for combat. A fifth-generation Checkmate prototype that will also be unveiled soon. Even Turkey is developing its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the TAI TF-X. India is also working on creating its own fifth-generation fighter plane, the AMCA.

The project was previously referred to as J 31 and later changed to J 35 in 2019. The project was initiated in 2011, and lately, after extensive development, the first pictures of the completed J-35 aircraft were released.

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation created the mid-sized twinjet J-35, a prototype fighter jet of the fifth generation (SAC). Even though sources have hinted that China is preparing a sophisticated plane before, this is the first time such clear images of the jet have appeared online. The prototype, also referred to as the FC-31, is a direct rival to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 II Lighting, which is recognised as the best fighter jet in the world and comes in three variants: A, B, and C based on operational capabilities. It resembles the naval version of the Chinese Shenyang J-35.

Courtesy : Twitter

The J-35 appears to be a navy variant fighter jet; it has the serial number 35003 on its side and is painted in a grey tactical paint job with a muted national emblem. Other marks, like as those on the canopy and engines, are also apparent in the pictures.

We can now see the integral bulkhead at the back of the F-35-like front-opening, internally bent canopy. The rear canopy arrangement of the A and C models of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is largely comparable to this.

China might want to sell the planes overseas as an option for nations unable to purchase the F-35

The improved FC-31 naval variant, known as the J-35 by observers, flew for the first time on October 29, 2021. It will be operated using an electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System from the upcoming Type 003 aircraft carrier.

J-35 number 350003 … a few details! pic.twitter.com/Yp3JqIWvu4

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) July 22, 2022

The principal armaments of the J-31 are the PL-10 short-range missile and PL-12 medium-range air-to-air missile, and it is capable of carrying 8,000 kg (18,000 lb) of payload, with 6,000 kg (13,000 lb) carried on six external hardpoints and four munitions weighing 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) each inside. It is also possible to mount 4 PL-21 missiles within the J-31’s internal weapons compartment. It can lift a maximum of 25,000 kg (55,000 lb) and has a fighting radius of 648 nmi (746 mi; 1,200 km).

Its power system consists of two WS-13 afterburning turbofans with a combined thrust of 87.2 kN (19,600 lbf) and two WS-19 afterburning turbofans with a combined thrust of 110 kN (24,000 lbf) apiece.

The FC-31, a naval derivative, is expected to launch from and land on Type 004, China’s fourth scheduled aircraft carrier. China is testing the J-10D, an upgraded version of the J-10 that was developed in conjunction with the Pakistan Air Force, in addition to the FC-31.

Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly