Shenyang J-31 Gyrfalcon

Shenyang J-31 Gyrfalcon

The Shenyang J-31 (F60),[1][4] rumored to be nicknamed "Gyrfalcon" (鹘鹰), or Falcon Eagle,[5] is a twin-engine, mid-size Fifth-generation jet fighter currently under development by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. A photo of a model labeled F-60 was posted on the Internet in September 2011.[6] In June 2012, photos and camera video clips about a heavily overwrapped possible F-60 prototype being road-transferred on a highway started to emerge on internet, though some suspect it of mere being a L-15 trainer aircraft.[7] Pictures of a possibly fully assembled aircraft parking on an airfield emerged on September 15–16, 2012.[8][9] The F-60 is reported to be the export version, where the J-31 would be the domestic Chinese version of the same fighter.[10]

With the maiden test flight of the prototype No.31001 on October 31, 2012, China became the second nation after the 1991 Advanced Tactical Fighter fly off, to have field-tested two stealth fighter design

Operational history
Testing

The J-31 made its maiden flight on Oct 31, 2012[2][22] It was accompanied by two J-11 fighters in a ten-minute test flight with its landing gear lowered. Prior to the flight, it conducted a high-speed taxiing and then became airborne.[23]
Strategic implications

The appearance of the J-31 may cause neighboring countries to consider again the purchase of the F-35.[24][25][26][27]

A quarter sized model of the J-31 was shown at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2012, hinting at a desire to offer the aircraft for export, as an alternative for those countries that cannot purchase the F-35.[28][29] AVIC confirmed at the exhibition that the aircraft was intended for export, after the failure of the CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder to win export orders so far.[30][31]
Specifications (estimated)

Because the aircraft is in development, these specifications are speculated based from the available images.

Data from Chris Pocock[32] and Aviation Week.[33]

General characteristics

Crew: one (pilot)
Length: 16.9 m (55 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 11.5 m (37 ft 9 in)
Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 40 m2 (430 sq ft)
Powerplant: 2 × Klimov RD-93 afterburning Turbofans (Presumably domestic engines such as the Guizhou WS-13 would be used for production aircraft.)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
Combat range: 1,250 km (777 mi; 675 nmi) internal fuel (2000 km one refuel)
Ferry range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi; 2,160 nmi)

Armament

None on prototype, apparently will have 12 hardpoints. (Four are internal for "low observable" missions.)