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A Threat to F-35? China’s J-35 Gyrfalcon, resembling the U.S. F-35, raises questions about Beijing’s capabilities and intent. Designed for air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance, the J-35 features twin WS-13E engines, achieving speeds of Mach 1.8.

-While it is expected to outclass older U.S. 4th-generation fighters, it remains inferior to the F-35 due to weaker avionics, limited tanker support, and less advanced radar systems. The F-35’s AN/APG-81 radar and upcoming upgrades maintain its edge.

-Despite the J-35’s advancements, its combat effectiveness will depend on pilot training and operational integration, leaving the U.S. ahead in fifth-generation airpower dominance.

China’s J-35 Stealth Fighter, Explained

When China unveiled the “new” J-35 Gyrfalcon, many commented on its great-looking fifth-generation stealth aircraft design. And why shouldn’t it? The aircraft looks strikingly similar to the US F-35, and its dimensions are the same. Give Beijing credit; if you are going to steal a design, you might as well steal the very best. 

Late last month, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine, “It’s still fairly new, “But, yes, it’s pretty clear; you could put it side-by-side and see, at least, where we believe they got their blueprints from, if you will.”

Meet the Shenyang J-35

The Shenyang J-35, also known as the FC-31 or J-31, is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the Chinese government. It is designed for the military and intended to serve as a fifth-generation combat aircraft. The FC-31 is designed for various missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance.

“The Chinese development of their capabilities is something we need to respect and be able to account for,” Allvin said. “One thing that they’ll never catch up on us is the quality of our force, the quality of our entire total force, the quality of our [noncommissioned officer corps], the quality of our aviators, the maintainers, all of that. But I don’t want to make it a close fight.”

A variant of the J-35 is designed for aircraft carrier duty. One difference between the two aircraft is that the F-35 has one engine, and the J-35 has two. Not much is known about the J-35’s capabilities. 

A Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35C Joint Strike Fighter is shown on the deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier after making the plane’s first ever carrier landing using its tailhook system, off the coast of California, November 3, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES – Tags: TRANSPORT MILITARY)/File Photo

The aircraft carries two Chinese-made WS-13E engines, each of which can reportedly produce approximately 25,000 lbs of thrust. The top speed of the aircraft is reported to be around Mach 1.8 (1,400 miles per hour). 

Colin Koh, of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said, “Because of the black box typically surrounding PLA miltech developments, we won’t be too certain of the J-35’s performance,”

The Shengdu J-35 is the 8th most expensive plane to build, a cost estimated at around 70 million dollars. Once the aircraft becomes operational, it is believed that it will outclass the the US th 4th generation fighters, for example, the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. However, ultimately, the truth of the aircraft’s capabilities rests on the training and skill of its combat pilots and the radar and other sensors. 

A great video to check out is from “Airpower” by my good friend Alex Hollings, who did a breakdown of the J-35.

F-35. Image Credit: U.S. Military.

F-35 AF-2 Ferry Flight from Edwards AFB, CA to Eielson AFB, AK. Oct. 11, 2017 Pilot Maj.Eskil “Taz” Amdal, Royal Norwegian Air Force.

How Does the J-35 Compare With the F-35 

It is one thing stealing the blueprints of a fifth-generation fighter jet, which allows China to build the airframe. However, the F-35 is a conglomeration of different parts and systems made by other companies. Its shorter range of 750 miles is on par with the American fighters, but the US has nearly 600 hundred air-refueling tankers. The Chinese? Not so much. 

China currently has about 24 old, obsolete H6 tankers and a trio of Ukrainian IL-78 tankers. They’re still developing their YY-20 tankers, similar to the US KC-135 tanker (imagine that). 

The speed and weapons capability are about the same. However, the avionics on the F-35 are far superior. The F-35 carries the AN/APG-81, the most technologically advanced and powerful radar array ever; even better news is that the system is due for replacement in the forthcoming Block IV upgrade to the AN/APG-85. When China’s J-35 comes online, it will use an avionics package two generations behind the American one in the F-35.

While the J-35 is expected to be another worthy adversary for American airpower, the US F-35 is still ahead. 

J-20

J-20 Stealth Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

About the Author: Steve Balestrieri

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.