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Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation · Fighter · China · Digital Age (2010–present)

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The Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon — also designated J-31 or J-35 — is a Chinese twin-engine single-seat stealth fighter, the country's second indigenous stealth design after the Chengdu J-20. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation began the FC-31 as a private-venture demonstrator in 2011, and the prototype flew on 31 October 2012. By 2025-2026, between 5 and 10 FC-31 / J-35 airframes had been built. The design has since branched into the J-35 carrier-capable variant for the PLA Naval Air Force and the J-31 export variant aimed at foreign customers.

Power comes from two WS-13E turbofans on early aircraft, with WS-19s on later J-35s, each rated near 22,000 lbf in afterburner. Top speed is Mach 1.8 (1,920 km/h), combat radius on internal fuel reaches 1,250 km, and the service ceiling is 16,000 m. An internal weapons bay carries 2-4 PL-15 and PL-10 air-to-air missiles, with external pylons available for additional stores. The crew is one. An all-composite fuselage, internal bay layout, and radar-absorbing surface treatment place the FC-31 in the same conceptual generation as the American F-35 Lightning II.

FC-31 / J-35 service is only just beginning. The PLA Navy took delivery of the first J-35s in 2024-2025 for evaluation aboard the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier. Pakistan's air force has signalled interest in the export J-31, and potential foreign customers include Pakistan, Egypt, and Iran. Shenyang has outlined planned production of 200+ J-35 airframes for the PLA Naval Air Force through 2030. Alongside the larger Chengdu J-20, the FC-31 forms the second pillar of Chinese stealth combat aviation.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Shenyang FC-31 Gyrfalcon is China's second stealth fighter, after the bigger J-20. The FC-31 first flew on October 31, 2012. About 5 to 10 FC-31s have been built. The export name is J-31. The Navy version is called J-35.

The FC-31 is 56 feet long with a 39-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. Two WS-19 turbofan engines each make about 22,000 pounds of thrust with afterburner. Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet. The plane has internal weapons bays for stealth, like the American F-35.

The FC-31 is China's stealth answer to the American F-35 Lightning II. It has internal weapons bays for PL-15 long-range and PL-10 short-range air-to-air missiles. The body uses composite materials and stealth coatings to scatter radar. China hopes to sell FC-31s to other countries cheaper than the American F-35.

The FC-31 was a private project, not paid for by the Chinese military at first. China's Navy then funded the J-35 carrier version, which started carrier tests in 2024. The J-35 has reinforced landing gear and folding wings for the Type 003 Fujian carrier.

Fun Facts

The FC-31 Gyrfalcon is China's second stealth fighter, after the J-20.
The FC-31 first flew on October 31, 2012.
About 5 to 10 FC-31s have been built so far.
The FC-31 is 56 feet long, longer than a school bus.
Top speed is Mach 2, faster than a rifle bullet.
The Navy version is called the J-35.
The export name is J-31.

Kids’ Questions

How is it different from the J-20?

The Chengdu J-20 is bigger, heavier, and has long range. It is China's main air-superiority fighter. The Shenyang FC-31 is smaller, lighter, and built for cheaper export sales. Both are stealth fighters with internal weapons bays. The J-20 is China's top fighter; the FC-31 is the more affordable second design.

Why a private project?

The Chinese Air Force funded the J-20 stealth fighter but did not fund the FC-31. So Shenyang Aircraft Corporation built the FC-31 with its own money, hoping the military would buy it later. The Navy eventually funded the J-35 carrier version. Foreign buyers may also order J-31 export versions in the future.

How does it compare to the F-35?

The American F-35 Lightning II is more refined overall, with better radar, computers, and stealth coatings. The F-35 has thousands in service; the FC-31 is just starting. But the FC-31 is much cheaper to buy. Countries that cannot afford an F-35 may buy the FC-31 instead. Time will tell how well the FC-31 performs against modern fighters.

Variants

FC-31 (demonstrator): Original private-venture demonstrator. 2 prototypes built 2012-2016.
J-35 (PLA Navy): Carrier-capable PLA Naval Air Force variant. About 5+ built for Fujian carrier evaluation.
J-31 (export): Proposed export variant for Pakistan and other foreign customers. Limited information released.

Notable Operators

PLA Naval Air Force (2024+): First J-35 carrier deployment, flying from the Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier.
Pakistan Air Force (potential export 2026+): Indicated interest in the J-31 export variant. No firm contract as of 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the FC-31 different from the J-20?

The Chengdu J-20 is China's primary fifth-gen fighter: twin-engine, single-seat, with a larger airframe, in service since 2017. The FC-31 / J-35 is the secondary fifth-gen design — twin-engine, single-seat, smaller, and lower-cost — intended for export and naval carrier use. The two aircraft fill complementary roles: J-20 for air superiority, J-35 for affordable export sales and carrier strike.

Is the J-35 carrier-capable?

Yes. The J-35 was designed from the start for PLA Naval Air Force carrier use, with catapult-compatible nose gear suited to the Type 003 Fujian's electromagnetic catapults, an arrester hook, folding wings, and reinforced landing gear. First carrier-deck flying took place aboard Fujian in 2024-2025 during the carrier's sea trials.

Sources

Wikipedia — Shenyang FC-31