Key Points and Summary – China’s new Chengdu J-35 is a 5th-generation stealth fighter designed to be its direct answer to the American F-35.
With a top speed of Mach 1.8, it is notably faster than the F-35. The J-35 is a true multirole aircraft, but its most critical feature is its carrier-based design, complete with folding wings and reinforced landing gear, making it the premier fighter for China’s new advanced aircraft carriers.
While questions remain about the reliability of its homegrown engines and avionics, the J-35 represents a formidable new threat to U.S. air dominance in the Pacific.
Meet China’s J-35 Stealth Fighter
The Chengdu J-35 is China’s most recent fifth-generation stealth fighter. Designed to compete with the F-22 and F-35, the J-25 incorporates sophisticated stealth technology, advanced avionics, and high-performance engines, making it a formidable opponent in the skies.
While most of the official specs of the aircraft are still classified, Chinese state media and experts have released a few numbers that give us a picture of what we can expect from China’s newest stealth fighter.
Engine Performance for J-35: What Is the Top Speed?
Engine performance is the most essential feature of a fifth-generation stealth fighter; however, in some scenarios, it can be a matter of life or death.
The aircraft has a reported top speed of Mach 1.8, which is approximately 1,381 miles per hour or 2,223 kilometers per hour at altitude.
This makes it faster than the American F-35, which has a top speed of Mach 1.6, but slightly slower than the F-22 Raptor, which can exceed Mach 2.0.
The J-35 achieves this speed through its twin WS-13E engines, which are upgraded versions of the Russian RD-93 engines. These engines provide the necessary thrust while maintaining a relatively compact and stealth-optimized airframe.
The J-35 is also specifically tailored to operate on aircraft carriers. The naval variant of the J-35 features folding wings for easier storage on carrier decks, strengthened landing gear to withstand the stresses of carrier landings, and a launch bar for catapult-assisted takeoffs.
These features make it suitable for deployment on China’s next-generation aircraft carriers, such as the Type 003 Fujian, which uses electromagnetic catapults similar to those found on the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers.
While it lacks the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of the F-35, the J-35 is still well equipped for naval operations.
Stealth Features
The design of the J-35 emphasizes stealth, agility, and multirole versatility. Its airframe incorporates low-observable features such as internal weapons bays, radar-absorbent materials, canted tail fins, and serrated engine nozzles.
These design elements reduce the aircraft’s radar cross-section, making it more difficult to detect by enemy radar systems. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced avionics, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, electro-optical targeting systems, and a helmet-mounted display.
These systems enable the pilot to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously, enhancing situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
The J-35 is designed to perform a wide range of missions. In air-to-air combat, it can carry advanced Chinese missiles such as the PL-10 short-range infrared-guided missile and the PL-15 beyond-visual-range missile. For ground attack missions, it can be equipped with precision-guided munitions, including satellite-guided bombs and air-to-surface missiles.
The aircraft is also expected to have capabilities in electronic warfare and reconnaissance, making it a true multirole platform.
Why China Wants the J-35
The J-35 is expected to play a crucial role in China’s efforts to project power beyond its borders.
By fielding a stealth fighter capable of operating from aircraft carriers, China enhances its ability to conduct operations in contested regions such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. The J-35 also contributes to China’s goal of achieving regional air superiority and deterring potential adversaries.
The J-35’s development reflects China’s ambition to field a domestically produced stealth fighter that can rival Western platforms like the American F-35 Lightning II.
The aircraft was first unveiled in its more refined form in 2023 and made a significant public appearance at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show. This marked a turning point in its transition from a prototype to a production-ready fighter intended for both the PLAAF and the PLAN.
J-35 vs F-35
As promising as the J-35 looks, some questions remain. One of the most significant is engine reliability. While the WS-13E engine represents a substantial improvement over earlier designs, its true reliability remains unknown, and many experts doubt whether it can match Western engines, such as the Pratt & Whitney F135 used in the F-35.
Additionally, the J-35’s avionics and software systems are still under development, and it remains to be seen whether they can achieve the same level of integration and performance as their Western counterparts.
Regardless, it is undeniable that China has made significant strides in the field of electronics.
The J-35 is still in its early stages of development and has yet to enter production fully. Although it has entered flight testing and has been showcased at public events, it is not yet fully operational.
The aircraft must undergo extensive testing to validate its performance, reliability, and combat effectiveness. This process can take several years, and it is only after successful completion of these tests that the J-35 will be fully integrated into China’s military forces.
Nevertheless, the J-35 appears to have a bright future ahead. It demonstrates the country’s ability to design and produce advanced fighter aircraft that are competitive on the global stage. The aircraft’s speed, stealth, and multirole capabilities make it a valuable asset for both the PLAAF and PLANAF.
Like the J-20, the J-35 is likely to receive numerous internal upgrades throughout its lifetime, each enhancing its capabilities and lethality.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
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