This is a series, I on the world. I'm John Bachelor. Gordon Chang, I'm

Gordon Chiang, and we go to the world of Chinese high-end aircraft FC 31, J31, J31, J31, J-30, J-35, all of these claims are to be superior technology, new technology, I get lost.

So we need our colleague, Rick Fisher, of the International Assessment and Strategy Center to sort out these fighter

planes, what's being shopped, what's a prototype, how it performs, does it match

the fifth generation from the United States?

Rick, a very good evening to you.

What is an FC31 fighter model displayed near Riyadh at a recent defense air show.

Good evening to you.

Good evening, John.

In 2012, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the major competitor to the Chengdu

Aircraft Corporation, the two main Chinese fighter houses the FC 31 was test flown. It had emerged

with some fanfare unveiled bit by bit as was the Chengdu J20 fifth generation fighter just months before.

And then the Chinese very publicly embarrassed

former Secretary of Defense Gates by performing the first flight of the J20

whilst he was visiting China.

The FC31 was meant to be the lower cost more efficient fifth generation

balance to the heavyweight J20, kind of analogous to the medium-weight Lockheed Martin F-35 to the heavier Lockheed Martin F-22.

Now, the FC31 prototype had issues.

Just in terms of balance and aerodynamic performance, its performance was lacking.

So by 2016, 2018, a refined version emerges and the Chinese begin calling it J-35.

It definitely has an upgraded fuselage wing configuration and it soon was seen with a hook on the nose wheel for launching from catapult. on aircraft carrier

carriers, which the latest type 0.003

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