J-31

choi

Andrew Erickson and Gabe Collins, Double Vision: Making Sense of China’s Second ‘Stealth’ Fighter Prototype. China Real Time, Sept 18, 2012.
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealti ... -fighter-prototype/
(photos leaked online on Sunday [Sept 16] shows a second stealth aircraft by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), variously dubbed the “J-21,” “J-31,” and “F60”--the first being from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) 13 months ago in the midst of then defense secretary Robert Gates' January 2011 visit to Beijing)

Quote:

"Neither the J-31 nor the J-20 has demonstrably advanced beyond the prototype stage, although at least two J-20 airframes have undertaken at least 53 test flights, according to Xinhua.  It is too early to determine the extent to which they will succeed, when precisely they will be operational, the extent to which they can utilize indigenous engines, whether they will truly have 'stealth' capabilities, and whether those would entail primarily forward stealth or all-aspect stealth. Stealthiness depends not only on geometry but also on radar-absorbent coatings on exterior surfaces, particularly the leading edges of wings and other reflective points. This 'sensitive skin' degrades constantly and has to be maintained vigilantly to retain its effectiveness, but China lacks experience with such 'defense dermatology.' Until such a capability is demonstrated, it is better to refer to the J-31 and J-20 as aspiring to be 'low observable.'