【Military Second Area】 Author: Lele

At the moment when China publicly announced the production progress of the J-35 series, the outside world was taken aback. At this time, the American "Army Recognition" website further extended its focus to the cooperation between the J-35 and the Fujian aircraft carrier. Through a simple comparison between the J-35 and the F-35C, and the improvements of the Fujian aircraft carrier compared to two ski-jump carriers, it drew a simple conclusion — this is not just a few technological breakthroughs, but also a strategic shift in delivering hard power beyond traditional maritime boundaries.

▲ The "Army Recognition" website believes that the J-35 has officially been put on board

The article states that as the full-life cycle cost of large-deck aircraft carriers becomes increasingly high and the technology more complex, ordinary countries tend to develop simpler vertical takeoff/short takeoff models. China and the United States are among the few countries using electromagnetic catapult technology, essentially being the top contenders in this field — for these two, other countries' aircraft carriers are second-rate and easy to defeat. However, the current mainstay of the Chinese Navy, the J-15T, although reaching the peak of fourth-generation semi-aircraft, even processed the main radar source, greatly reducing the radar cross-section. But there is still a gap compared to the truly stealthy F-35 series, which is clearly different from the parallel development of electromagnetic catapults between both sides.

▲ The J-15T is strong, but it's not a true fifth-generation fighter

In contrast, the J-35 is a truly stealthy carrier-based aircraft, with optimized intake ports and embedded sensors, and typical carrier-based features such as reinforced landing gear, folding wingtips, and arrestor hooks are very mature, which means "the J-35 has already been put on the Fujian." Like the F-35C, the J-35 also carries an advanced AESA radar and is supported by the EOTS system, mainly operating through the PL-15 and PL-10 missiles stored in the stealth bomb bay, and can also launch 500kg-class precision-guided munitions. In addition, the two WS-19 engines carried by the J-35 provide superior high-altitude and high-speed performance, which is of great value in top-tier air combat between fifth-generation fighters, and the engine redundancy is greater, making it more suitable for harsh maritime environments than the single-engine layout of the F-35C.

▲ The dual layout of the J-35 is a positive benefit for carrier-based aircraft

The advanced network-centric warfare positioning of the F-35C has always been considered an advantage, and the durability of the stealth coating and the overall maturity of the software after being put on board are also seen as levels that the J-35 needs time to verify before approaching. However, according to some recent official materials, the J-35 has applied a large number of mature technologies and equipment that have been tested on the J-20, and should not be regarded as a new equipment in the normal state. Although it does need time to complete the internal equipment integration on the new platform, the span is much less than originally expected — the fact that the J-35 series could complete the test flight so quickly has already proven the value of "standing on the shoulders of giants."

▲ The mature experience of the J-20 has been successfully applied to the J-35

According to the "Army Recognition" website, the carrier version of the J-35 has reached pre-production standards, and the entire production system is ready. In the case of active mass production, the annual production capacity of the entire series can easily exceed 50 aircraft. Even if we estimate that one-fourth is the carrier version, it means that within three or four years, it can provide a complete stealth aviation group for the Fujian. At that time, a new electromagnetic catapult carrier should have emerged, and the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier and fifth-generation carrier-based aircraft production system will quietly enter a high-speed track — the Soviet Navy once spent countless efforts on a similar system, but it collapsed at the last moment, and the United States also paid a huge price in the past. Now, China is only one step away from this.

▲ There is also an opportunity for the two ski-jump carriers to partially upgrade to the J-35

The Fujian aircraft carrier is set to be commissioned in 2025, and referring to the experience of the Shandong aircraft carrier forming combat capability two years after commissioning, the Fujian should be able to catch up with the strategic node in 2027. Theoretically, at this time, the J-35 may not be sufficient to fill the entire flight deck of the Fujian, but the J-15T was originally intended to work alongside the J-35 — currently, the J-35's carrying capacity is still a bit weak, not matching the heavy J-15T that can fully leverage its technical potential with the support of the electromagnetic catapult. With the support of the KJ-600, the "three heroes" carried by the Fujian will truly be able to leave the support of land-based aircraft, deeply compete for air superiority in the ocean, and maintain aerial dominance — "the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region is about to open a new chapter."

▲ The KJ-600 is crucial for the Fujian

In May, during the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian "Vikrant" aircraft carrier did not dare to go beyond the limit against the prepared Pakistan "JF-17" aircraft fleet, demonstrating the difficulties of ski-jump carriers lacking fixed-wing early warning aircraft and unable to cope with slightly stronger land-based air forces. The two current Chinese aircraft carriers are significantly better than the "Vikrant," but their opponents are not comparable to Pakistan, and they actually face the same problem. But when the Fujian is equipped with the J-35 and forms combat capability, the situation will be completely different.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526800108727337472/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the 【Up/Down】 buttons below.