China's alleged J-31 stealth fighter reportedly made
a successful first test flight on October 31.
Western military analysts pointed out that the fighter has
a reported technical bottleneck on the engine.
They also suspected its real ability to dodge radar, and
the so-called “fifth-generation J-31” is just in name only.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime unveiled
“the fifth-generation J-31” ahead of its 18th Party Congress,
which is deemed to be political bluff.
The J-31 fighter jet was reportedly developed by
Avic Shenyang Aircraft Corp.
As China's 2nd stealth fighter, the J-31 is smaller than
the J-20, and may be used on aircraft carriers.
Its two add-on engines were said to be
imported from Russia.
Voice of Russia published an online article on November 1.
It was titled "First Test Flight of China's J-31, a Gift to
the 18th Party Congress and a Sword to Enemies.”
Yet, Western observers don't treat it as a new military threat.
Nor could it prove that China has greater
technical prowess than Western counterparts.
Military experts say that the biggest technical bottleneck for
China's stealth fighter lies in its engine.
The development time usually lasts about 10 years or longer.
Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins, commented in a
co-authored article published in the Wall Street Journal. It said,
The double engine design has two possible reasons:
1) it provide more power for long route and higher performance.
2) China is worried about how reliable of the Russia made
engine, and can it perform well when its on duty.
Reportedly, China's self-developed engine just reached
the third-generation.
Although the application of engine and
composite materials still has weaknesses.
No major breakthrough has been made yet on the material
and processing of turbine blades and turbine disk.
So far, engines on China's new aircraft including
the J-10 are all imported from Russia.
Huang Zuwei, NASA engineer, questions the term of
“J-31 fifth-generation fighter jet”.
Huang says, an aircraft engine is just like a computer's CPU,
which directly shows its performance.
The J-31, equipped with a below the fifth-gen engine,
can not be called “a fifth-gen fighter jet”.
Huang Zuwei: "Whether it's called the fifth-gen fighter jet or
not it cannot be what it is claimed to be.
If technology falls short, you just can't make it up
Because the machinery, like a jet or fighter jet,
is made with high-technology, which is especially shown
on its turbine and blade.
For example, the time frame andthat are designed
for the aircraft to reach in take off.
And how quickly it will reach supersonic speed?
If technology falls short, it cannot be called fifth generation.”
The U.S. and other Western countries take aircraft engines
as core technology that is fully confidential to China.
China has no normal channel to introduce technology.
Media reported that the CCP authorities have incorporated
engine R & D into national priorities projects.
The input cost was said to be as high as RMB100 billion,
and an aircraft engine industry base has been set up in Beijing.
Huang Zuwei comments that aerospace high-tech is not
achieved just through money and manpower.
Even if the CCP back-stage hackers stole core technology,
they may not necessarily achieve what they expected.
Huang Zuwei: "This is because they don't have
the know-how, which is something that is not simply piled up with money and human input.
And success of R&D of advanced weapons or other
cutting-edge technology is based on breakthroughs made in several areas.
Even if you stole it, you may still be unable to use it,
Since it must be compatible with engines and various other facets of equipment which you may not possess.
other facets of equipment, which you may not possess.”
Western defense experts believe that it will take a long time
before the J-31 reaches full operational status.
As China has not yet developed a plan to equip
carrier-based aircraft.
It reportedly needs years to see mass production of
the J-31 prototype.
In addition, the J-31 carries quite common weapons and can
only hold four medium-range weapons in its built-in cartridge.
The U.S. has now developed the 7th-gen aircraft engine.
By contrast, China has just reached the 3rd-gen.
Yet, the CCP authorities now unveiled its “fifth-gen” jet fighter,
which naturally raised public suspicion.
Huang Zuwei says, the CCP has long hyped aerospace
technology to glorify its reign.
