On August 14, "Defence Security Asia" published an article stating that the significance of the J-35 goes far beyond being just a new fighter jet. It is the core of a revolutionary shift in air combat logic, aimed at reshaping China's aerial superiority for decades to come.

The article introduces that the design concept of the J-35 is dual-purpose for both air and sea, with multiple configurations. It can be deployed on aircraft carriers as well as in land-based air force units, with development, production, and support efforts made as universal as possible.

Its role is no longer just that of a shooter but rather a frontline information hub, capable of coordinating drones, airborne early warning aircraft, ship missiles, and even ground air defense firepower in the air.

To achieve this, the project was designed from the start for mass production: its maximum speed is close to 1.8 Mach, and its operational radius is approximately 1,200 kilometers.

The aircraft's appearance emphasizes stealth, with internal weapon bays to ensure low detectability during penetration. In terms of weaponry, it is equipped with the PL-15 and PL-10 series missiles.

The avionics system also includes a full set of equipment: phased array radar, infrared search, electronic warfare equipment, and a cockpit with large-area displays plus a helmet-mounted display.

In general, it complements the J-20. While the J-20 is responsible for long-range air superiority and interception, the J-35 acts like a point guard, managing the battlefield.

J-35

The reason why the J-35 is called a major turning point in air combat logic lies in the change of perspective.

Previously, everything was measured according to the U.S. standard, always focusing on how fast and far the plane could fly, the radar stealth effect, and how far the missile could reach.

However, the J-35 focuses on how to link all combat forces together.

Not only does it have the capability to fight on the front line, but it also integrates drone swarms, airborne early warning aircraft, ships, and ground air defenses into a single operational chain, ensuring that information and instructions are delivered in the shortest time possible.

The use of common avionics and modular software during development allows different models to share parts, shorten maintenance cycles, and improve the overall availability of the fleet.

Compared to traditional models, this is a fundamental shift in logic: instead of asking what a single aircraft can do, it focuses on how much it can enhance the efficiency of the entire system.

Its value lies in making the chain of detection, decision-making, and strike faster and more stable, thus shifting the focus of air combat.

J-35

This approach indeed represents a disruption to the old air combat logic.

Previously, the battlefield relied on a few high-value platforms to process information, which made them easy targets for attacks. Once they were suppressed, the whole operation would fall out of rhythm.

Instead, the J-35 decentralizes this capability to more nodes, creating a networked structure that is not easily destroyed by a single strike.

Frontline nodes directly integrate information and issue commands, reducing the delay caused by repeated transmissions. Whoever gains data first has the advantage of acting first.

The cost structure has also changed; the universal architecture and integrated maintenance make it easier to maintain a high sortie rate, preventing it from falling behind in a prolonged war of attrition.

The same-source design for carrier-based and land-based operations allows the aircraft to move flexibly between different directions.

Combined with drone coordination, the space for tactical combinations increases significantly: it can clear the way for the J-20, or create attack windows for ships and land-based firepower.

J-35

This means that the J-35 will surely bring air superiority to China.

First, it was designed from the beginning for mass production, unlike Western fifth-generation fighters that are constrained by cost and maintenance. The scale advantage can be quickly realized.

Once the number of stealth aircraft increases, it can maintain density and continuity on the battlefield, which is more critical than a few high-performance planes.

Second, the relationship between the J-35 and the J-20 is not duplication, but complementarity.

The J-20 is responsible for long-range suppression and interception, while the J-35 connects various forces on the front line, maintaining the integrity of the entire kill chain. This combination makes obtaining air superiority more stable and sustainable.

Additionally, the integrated design for carrier-based and land-based operations allows it to appear wherever it is most needed. The J-35 on the aircraft carrier can go deep into the front lines, while the land-based squadrons can provide depth support.

In this way, China can maintain such air superiority in multiple theaters, including the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the East China Sea.

Therefore, the mass production, systematization, and deployment flexibility of the J-35 meet this need, giving China the possibility to truly maintain air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region for the first time.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7538640614007587366/

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