September 3’s V-Day parade on the Chinese mainland dropped some serious sci-fi vibes with the first look at the J-35 carrier-based stealth fighter. This jet marks a big moment for the People’s Liberation Army Navy—shifting from coastal defense to true blue-water power. 🚢✈️
Next-Gen Design: Sharing the DNA
The J-35 borrows tons of tech from its land-based twin, the J-35A, cutting development time and slashing maintenance costs. It works with both catapult launch and ski-jump takeoff—so it’s ready for the Fujian, China’s first carrier with electromagnetic catapults.
Stealth Over Speed
Unlike the maneuverable J-15, the J-35 keeps its weapons in an internal bay to stay off enemy radar. That low-profile design gives it the jump in beyond-visual-range dogfights—first shot, best shot. 🎯
More Upgrades on Display
China didn’t stop at the J-35. A close-up of the J-20S revealed a two-seat cockpit—great for long hauls and team-ups with combat drones. As commentator Wei Dongxu notes, this “1+1>2” setup is a step toward a smarter, integrated air force.
We also spotted the new J-15DT (where “DT” stands for dianci tanshe, or electromagnetic catapult) and Y-20 transport jets now rolling with homegrown engines.
The debut of these platforms shows how fast China’s naval aviation is evolving. Keep your eyes on the Fujian’s flight deck—it’s about to get busy! 🔥
Reference(s):
China's New Sword: Stealth fighters led by the J-35 make public debut
cgtn.com
