J-35A: China’s Very Own ‘F-35 Fighter’ Has a Message for US Military

Key Points – China’s Shenyang J-35A, a twin-engine, single-seat fifth-generation stealth fighter evolved from the FC-31 prototype, is designed for air superiority and precision strike missions, complementing the larger J-20.

Visually similar to the US F-35 but with two engines (likely WS-19s), it features a stealthy airframe, diverterless supersonic inlets, internal weapons bays (carrying PL-10/PL-15 missiles), AESA radar, and advanced avionics.

With an estimated combat radius of 1,200-1,500 km and Mach 1.8 speed, the J-35A, along with its carrier-capable naval variant, significantly boosts China’s power projection capabilities and is also aimed at the export market.

Meet the J-35A

The J-35A is one of China’s newest fifth-generation aircraft developed by China’s Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). It is a refined and modernized evolution of the earlier FC-31 Gyrfalcon prototype, which first flew in 2012.

The fighter was later showcased at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show where it really caught the attention of western observers. The fighter’s shape and design are eerily reminiscent of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lighting II leading many to call it a Chinese knockoff. While the design has certainly been “influenced” by the F-35, the J-35A has many differences that make it distinct from its American rival.

Design and Role of the J-35A

Visually, the J-35A is strikingly similar to the F-35. It is a twin-engine, single-seat, multirole stealth fighter designed for both air superiority and precision strike missions. Its design emphasizes low observability, agility, and versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of combat scenarios. The aircraft features a sleek, angular airframe optimized for stealth, with internal weapons bays that reduce radar cross-section much like the F-35.

The aircraft’s design also includes diverter less supersonic inlets (DSI), which improve engine airflow while minimizing radar signature. The cockpit is equipped with a bubble canopy for enhanced pilot visibility and a modern glass cockpit interface with advanced avionics.

One of the most notable aspects of the J-35 is its adaptability for carrier operations. Although the J-35A itself is the land-based version, its naval counterpart is designed with folding wings for compact storage aboard aircraft carriers and reinforced landing gear to withstand the stresses of catapult launches and arrested landings. Many suspect that the naval variant is one of the reasons why China is investing into the J-35.

Unlike the J-20, which is purely land based, the J-35 offers a bit more versatility, being able to be launched at sea. This enhances China’s naval power and allows it to project power overseas.

Assessing the J-35’s Specs

While official specifications of the J-35A remain classified, open-source intelligence and expert analyses provide a reasonably detailed picture of its capabilities. The aircraft is estimated to be approximately 17.3 meters in length, with a wingspan of around 11.5 meters and a height of about 4.8 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is believed to be in the range of 25,000 kilograms. The J-35A is powered by two turbofan engines, likely Chinese WS-19 engines each capable of producing around 100 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner. Earlier versions of the aircraft were suspected to use Russian RD-93MA, also used by the MiG-29. With its engine loadout, experts estimate that the J-35 can reach speeds of around Mach 1.8.

In terms of range, the J-35A is expected to have a combat radius of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers and a ferry range of up to 3,000 kilometers. It can operate at altitudes up to 16,000 meters. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced avionics suite, including an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for long-range detection and tracking, an electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) for passive targeting, and an infrared search and track (IRST) system for stealthy detection of enemy aircraft.

It also features electronic countermeasures (ECM) for jamming and deception and is designed to operate as part of a network-centric warfare environment, sharing data with other assets in real time.

The J-35A’s armament includes a combination of internal and external weapons. Internally, it can carry air-to-air missiles such as the PL-10 and PL-15, as well as precision-guided munitions. Externally, it has six hard points for additional weapons or fuel tanks, although using these would compromise its stealth profile. This flexibility allows the J-35A to perform a wide range of missions, from air superiority and interception to ground attack and maritime strike.

Why the J-35 Matters

Strategically, the J-35A is intended to complement the Chengdu J-20, China’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter. While the J-20 is optimized for long-range interception and air dominance, the J-35A is more versatile and better suited for tactical operations, including those launched from aircraft carriers.

This dual-fighter strategy no doubt intentionally mirrors that of the United States, which fields both the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.

The J-35A is also significant for its potential export value. The fighter was originally built as an export only fighter, with the Chinese military showing little interest in the project. Only later did the PLAN and the PLAAF eventually decide to accept the J-35 into service.

With a lower estimated cost than Western fifth-generation fighters, it could appeal to countries that are unable to acquire the F-35 due to political or financial constraints. Nations such as Pakistan, Egypt, and Iran have been mentioned as potential customers, although no confirmed export deals have been announced as of yet.

J-35A vs F-35A

The J-35A is often compared to the F-35 and for good reasons. Visually, the J-35 shares many design features of its American counterpart, but there are still some key differences. Both aircraft are stealthy, multirole fighters with advanced avionics and internal weapons bays.

However, the J-35A is a twin-engine aircraft, whereas the F-35 uses a single engine. The F-35 is available in three variants, conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL), and carrier-based (CATOBAR), and has been widely exported and combat-tested. In contrast, the J-35A is still in the early stages of production and deployment, and its systems integration and engine performance are not yet as mature as those of the F-35.

Despite challenges and criticism, the J-35A is a major step forward for China’s military aviation industry. China now services two fifth-generation stealth fighters in direct competition with America’s stealth fighters.

While there have been accusations of China’s technology being inferior to America’s, it is undeniable that China’s aerospace industry has advanced significantly in the past two decades.

The J-35, while it may not yet match the F-35 in terms of systems integration and combat experience, it is a clear indicator of China’s determination to close the technological gap with the West and to assert its presence in the global aerospace arena.

About the Author

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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