Shenyang J-35
The Shenyang J-35 is a series of Chinese single-seater, twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multirole combat aircraft manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, designed for air superiority and surface strike missions. The aircraft has two variants, a [|land-based variant] designed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, and a carrier-based [|variant] optimized for catapult-assisted takeoff for the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force. The aircraft is also promoted for export. It is the first fifth-generation fighter in the world to have been launched from an aircraft carrier using an electromagnetic catapult.
The aircraft was developed from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon, a stealth aircraft prototype that served as a demonstrator aiming to secure potential export customers after SAC lost the J-XX bid to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group's J-20. SAC, however, kept the project going via private funding, and later the People's Liberation Army, particularly the PLA Navy Air Force, took an interest in the FC-31 project, leading to the prototype being further developed with a catapult launch bar and folding wings, and the revised variant took flight on 29 October 2021. A land-based variant emerged in 2023 and was officially debuted ahead of the 2024 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, receiving the designation J-35A.
On 3 September 2025, Chinese state media China Daily announced the J-35 and the J-35A to be part of the aircraft fleet of the PLA Navy and the PLAAF. The introduction of the J-35 makes it the second Chinese fifth-generation fighter and China the only country other than the United States to use two types of stealth fighters.
Development
Designation
The prototype of the J-35 had been referred to as J-31, F-60, J-21, Snowy Owl or Falcon Hawk in various media reports. The fighter initially did not feature the J-XX nomenclatures, as such names are reserved for programs launched and financed by the military, while the FC-31 was developed independently as a privately funded venture by SAC. The original FC-31 prototype made its maiden flight on October 31, 2012.Origin
While the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter was officially endorsed by the PLAAF after Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal won the PLAAF bid for the next-generation jet fighter, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation pressed on and developed a private project aiming to secure potential export customers.In September 2011, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation presented the scale model of the FC-31, dubbed the "F-60" at an innovation competition held in Beijing.
In June 2012, a partially assembled F-60 was photographed in a police-escorted road transit through a national highway atop a truck and trailer, with its airframe heavily overwrapped by camouflage covering. Initially, military observers speculated the subject in transit was the Hongdu JL-10 trainer aircraft. A few days later, pictures of a fully assembled fighter aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on the internet, with the new aircraft displaying stealth characteristics, the registration number "31001" on the front fuselage. Military observers gave temporary names to the aircraft, such as J-21, J-31, or F-60. Several features were also noted, such as the more conventional airframe design with trapezoidal wings and twin nose wheels, leading to the speculation that F-60 could become a carrier-borne aircraft in the future.
On 31 October 2012, The first prototype made its maiden flight, accompanied by a J-11 serving as the chase aircraft.
Shenyang FC-31
In November 2012, the aircraft was officially revealed at Zhuhai Airshow 2012, with the designation Shenyang FC-31, following Chinese export fighter terminology and aircraft such as FC-1 and FC-20. A scale model of the FC-31 was displayed inside the exhibition hall.On 12 November 2014, the FC-31 prototype performed its first public flight demonstration at Zhuhai Airshow 2014. The prototype was fitted with two Klimov RD-93 engines. Reuben Johnson of Aviation International News noted the prototype was not optimized in its flight performance. The author also noted that another model with modified details was displayed inside the exhibition hall.
In 2015, the FC-31 model was displayed first time at a foreign military trade expo, at Dubai Airshow. AVIC official told Aviation Week that the company was pushing the aircraft for export while negotiating with the Chinese government and the People's Liberation Army for further development. Some additional details were given by the FC-31's designer, including its stealth capabilities, payload, and operational range. The aircraft was intended to serve as a competitor to the Lockheed Martin F-35 on the export market, especially for countries which cannot join the F-35 program or afford the American fighter.
There were also persistent rumors of the FC-31 being developed into a carrier-based naval fighter. In 2015, the FC-31's chief designer Sun Cong suggested that FC-31 would succeed Shenyang J-15 in operating on China's aircraft carriers.
In 2015, Jiangsu A-Star Aviation Industries Company marketed its EOTS-86 infra-red search and track as a possible addition to the FC-31.
In November 2016, AVIC released a promotional video of an FC-31 prototype, displaying the refinement in construction quality from earlier prototypes.
On 23 December 2016, the second prototype of the FC-31 took flight. The second prototype features several revisions and upgrades to the aircraft design. The inefficient RD-93 engine was replaced by two smokeless WS-13E engines, the canopy was changed from the two-piece design to a reinforced single-piece glass, and the control surface configuration was overhauled, now with clipped and swept vertical tails instead of the trapezoid tails. Other improvements included modifications to the vertical stabilizers, wings, and airframe, an electro-optical targeting system, a larger payload, improvements in stealth, and upgraded electronics. This prototype was not featured in the Zhuhai Airshow of 2016. Still, a cockpit model with a sidestick controller, multifunctional touchscreen displays, and a heads-up display was showcased in the AVIC booth.
The real '31001' prototype aircraft was displayed on the ground in Shenyang, China in 2016. It was displayed again at Zhuhai Airshow 2018, implying China no longer deemed first prototype sensitive technologically.
On 21 November 2018, the Aviation Week reported that People's Liberation Army has taken interest in the Shenyang FC-31.
By February 2022, AVIC continued to promote FC-31 for export.
Shenyang J-35
In June 2020, the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment, the research wing of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, announced that a "new fighter" was under development and would make its maiden flight in 2021. This "new fighter" was theorized by media and military analysts as the navalized version of the Shenyang FC-31. New reports indicated that the new variant would feature a bigger radome, navalized functions, and different alignments of control surfaces to reduce the radar signature.In June 2021, a mock-up of the FC-31 prototype was spotted parked on top of China's carrier test facility, which simulates the flight deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier. Analysts believe the J-35 could serve in China's future Type 003 aircraft carrier, as well as launched with ski-jump on China's older carriers, complementing the fleet of Shenyang J-15. In July 2021, a static FC-31 with opened weapons bay was displayed inside the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation Expo Park. Analysts noted the similarity of the weapons bay dimension between Chengdu J-20 and FC-31, which means the fighter could accommodate PL-15 missiles and other armaments in similar quantities.
On 29 October 2021, the modified carrier-based variant of the FC-31, tentatively named J-35, conducted its maiden flight. This new prototype, in blue-green primer paint, features a major redesign. A catapult launch bar and folding wing mechanisms were added, intended for operating on the Type 003 aircraft carrier with its electromagnetic catapult system. A chin-mounted sensor turret, similar to the Electro-Optical Targeting System on F-35, is featured. The canopy was modified, blending in with the upper fuselage, allowing for more internal fuel load, aerodynamic advantages, and potential to mount sensors behind the cockpit. The overall shape of the first J-35 prototype indicated a developmental lineage from the second prototype of the FC-31.
On 22 July 2022, the J-35 prototype '350003' was spotted by military analysts. This new prototype was reportedly the second flying prototype and the third overall prototype of the navalized J-35 variant. The new prototype was also painted in the People's Liberation Army Navy grey camouflage, with the PLAN's 'flying shark' logo visible on its vertical stabilizers. The '350003' features sawtooth edges for compartment panels, seamless exteriors, and new engines, reportedly WS-21 or WS-13X, which is a further development of the WS-13E mounted on the second prototype of the FC-31. This engine is fitted with pronounced, serrated exhaust nozzles, helping to reduce rearward radar and infrared signatures. A video of the prototype flying was recorded on the same day.
In March 2023, the People's Liberation Army Navy released a recruitment video, teasing about the service's future carrier aircraft, which included a rough outline of the FC-31.
In August 2023, a J-35 prototype was spotted test flying with landing gear extended in China. On 8 December 2023, a mock-up of the J-35 was spotted on the deck of the Type 003 aircraft carrier, which was recently launched and preparing for sea trials at her homeport.
On 26 September 2023, the land-based variant of the J-35, tentatively named the J-31 by defense analysts, made its first flight. The land-based variant was distinguished by its smaller wing surface area, single nose wheel, and non-clipped wings, different from the earlier J-35 prototype.
On 13 February 2024, a full-size mockup of the navalized J-35 fighter was spotted aboard China's aircraft carrier Liaoning, under evaluation for potential use on the aircraft deck. The test of the J-35 on Liaoning signified that the fighter is intended to operate not only on catapult-equipped Type 003 but also the older ski-jump carriers. Analysts also believed the smaller size and lighter weight of the J-35 could provide operational advantages on the Liaoning and Shandong. A few days later on 29 February 2024, the Liaoning embarked to the sea, carrying the J-35 mock-up for further testing. On 13 March 2024, military analysts noted the third flying prototype of the J-35 testing near Shenyang's facilities.
On 5 November 2024, the People's Liberation Army Air Force officially announced that the J-35A, the air force variant of the J-35, would attend the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024, held in the same month. The close-up photograph of the J-35A showcased by the PLAAF was painted in grey paint with the Air Force's roundel with the number '75' engraved on the vertical stabilizers, celebrating PLAAF's 75th anniversary. Photographs confirmed the differences with earlier naval J-35 on wing size, nose wheel, and vertical stabilizer design. On 12 November 2024, the J-35A conducted its first public flight performance at the Zhuhai Airshow.
On 22 September 2025, the PLAN Navy announced that the Shenyang J-35 had been certified for CATOBAR operation. Chinese media released the footage of the launch and recovery of the Shenyang J-35 via electromagnetic catapults onboard the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian. This makes J-35 the first stealth fighter to accomplish electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch and recovery at sea. The United States Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford is yet to launch the Lockheed Martin F-35C.