China: Flight photo of the new stealth FC-31: Appears on Weibo
South China Morning Post:
On September 7, images of the FC-31 stealth fighter during a test flight were uploaded to China’s social media Weibo.
New Stealth Fighter FC-31:
Manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation of China.
Images of China’s new stealth fighter have been released on social media.
The Chinese government continues to develop it as a rival to the state-of-the-art stealth fighter F-35.
It may be the best image of a fighter.
FC-31 performance:
The FC-31 is China’s second and fifth-generation fighter, following the J-20, and first flew in October 2012.
The FC-31 could be the mainstay of carrier-based aircraft deployed on new aircraft carriers currently in production.
However, it seems that the engine is equipped with two WS-13 engines like the previous prototype.
In other words, “FC-31 is not yet at the same level as the 5th generation fighter F-35.”
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC):
Since its maiden flight in 2012, the FC-31 has been featured on numerous air shows.
The manufacturer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has not received any orders yet.
The Chinese Air Force has not yet ordered FC-31.
AVIC plans to start a test flight of the new FC-31 / Navy model next year.
Newsweek Japan version
https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/stories/world/2020/09/post-94389.php
China’s latest FC-31 Gyrfalcon stealth fighter prototype may have been on a test flight
Photo circulating online suggests it has undergone modifications including to the canopy over its cockpit and wind resistance improvements
But it appears to have retained engine based on a 1970s Soviet design that is seen as a limitation to its function and capabilities
South China Morning Post