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Fifth Generation Super Weapons to Significantly Increase China’s Air Power

© WikipediaJ-31 Stealth Fighter
J-31 Stealth Fighter - Sputnik International
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Since 2008, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has worked to design and manufacture fifth generation jet plain design concepts, both for its own use and to sell on a global scale.

The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (J-20) and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (J-31) are subsidiaries of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). These two companies have been working on the designs of the super jets.

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J-20 is closer to becoming operational it is expected to reach initial operating capability (IOC) by 2018. As both jets are still in the prototype stage, their exact capabilities are not certain.

However, it is speculated that the J-20 will have a long-range strike system capable of reaching anywhere in the Western Pacific region, and include a stealth design; the first of its kind in the PRC, reports National Interest.

It is predicted that in a conflict, the J-20 would likely be positioned in air-to-air combat with the mission of limiting the enemy’s radar coverage and strike range.

While the J-20 is expected to have superior air combat maneuvering (ACM) abilities, the J-31 will be “the perfect fighter for the PLA to perform anti-access area-denial (A2AD) strategies in the Western Pacific,” Ryan Henseler wrote for National Interest.

While the J-20 is slightly faster, with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 compared to Mach 2 for the J-31, both jets have a combat radius of approximately 2,000km (1242 miles).

Some reports suggest that the US officials believe that the J-31 will match or exceed the proficiencies of US fourth generation fighters such as the F-15 Strike Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet, and could possibly even compete with the F-22 or F-35.

In late 2014, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) President Lin Zhouming made a prediction saying, “When [the J-31] takes to the sky, it could definitely take down the F-35. It's a certainty.”

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