November 8 - China’s J-35 stealth fighter has captured global attention as Beijing’s latest bid to rival the U.S. F-35 Lightning II in the high-stakes arena of fifth-generation air dominance. Unveiled amid fanfare at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show and entering limited PLA Navy service by mid-2025, the J-35, also known as the Shenyang FC-31 successor, boasts a sleek, angular design optimized for carrier operations aboard the Fujian. With its blended wing-body shape and internal weapons bays, the twin-engine jet promises low-observability stealth comparable to Western standards, potentially exporting to allies like Pakistan. Yet, for all its visual echoes of the F-35, experts argue this Chinese stealth fighter falls short in maturity, integration, and proven lethality, positioning it as a formidable contender but no immediate match in the F-35 vs. J-35 showdown.
At first glance, the J-35’s stealth credentials impress: state media claims a radar cross-section (RCS) smaller than a human palm, around 10-100 square centimeters, thanks to advanced metamaterials and airframe shaping that scatter radar waves. This places it in the same ballpark as the F-35’s golf-ball-sized RCS, enabling deep penetration of contested airspace. Twin WS-13 or upgraded WS-19 engines deliver supersonic dash speeds exceeding Mach 1.8, outpacing the F-35’s Mach 1.6, while a lighter frame enhances agility for naval dogfights. Armament includes PL-15 long-range missiles and precision-guided bombs, hinting at robust air-to-air and strike roles. However, these specs remain unverified, with the J-35’s bulkier profile and engine layout likely inflating its frontal RCS slightly higher than the single-engine F-35’s all-aspect invisibility.
Where the J-35 truly lags is in sensor fusion and networked warfare, the F-35’s true superpower. The American jet’s Distributed Aperture System (DAS) and AN/APG-81 radar create a 360-degree battlespace view, sharing real-time data across allied platforms in a seamless web of dominance honed through years of combat exercises. In contrast, the J-35’s avionics, while featuring active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, lack the software maturity and mission-data libraries that make the F-35 a “quarterback” for joint operations. China’s radar-absorbent materials, though innovative with silk-inspired durability, haven’t endured the F-35’s trillion-dollar sustainment trials, raising doubts about reliability in prolonged Pacific conflicts.
For now, China’s J-35 stealth fighter represents rapid progress in Beijing’s military aviation surge, but it’s no F-35 equivalent. Without battle-tested pilots, interoperable networks, and refined electronics, the jet risks being outmaneuvered by the Lightning II’s ecosystem. As production ramps to dozens annually, future upgrades could close the gap. Watch for J-35 vs. F-35 simulations to reveal more. Until then, America’s stealth crown endures.