中国第二款隐形战机亮相

The first test flight for the J-31 was held Wednesday at an airfield in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The radar-evading aircraft conducted a 10-minute flight.

The J-31 is a twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft prototype developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corp. It features enhanced double-wheel nose landing gear and two big tail wings.

With a lighter size and better avionics, the J-31 is considered to have the potential of operating on aircraft carriers.

Xu Luming, a military enthusiast, says the fighter has three traits that make it suitable for service on aircraft carriers.

"The published photos show that the J-31 is suitable for aircraft carriers. The double-wheel nose landing gear makes it possible to bear the force of both compression and tension. The design is similar to prototypes in other countries. Also, the double-engine design shares characteristics with carrier aircrafts."

In January, 2011, China unveiled its first stealth fighter, the J-20. It is a fifth-generation twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft prototype developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.

Du Wenlong, a senior researcher at the Academy of Military Science for the People's Liberation Army, said the J-31 is more economical and maneuverable than the previous model.

"The J-31 is smaller than the J-20, and it is much cheaper. Stealth fighters usually cost a lot of money and resources, which makes it hard to block equipment. The smaller design is the best way to conserve resources. It helps balance cost, resources and efficiency."

Du said the new stealth fighter marks the transformation of China's defense capability.

"The changes in the form of war have forced the development of military equipment. The new armaments need to be oriented toward oceangoing, high altitude, electromagnetic and radar-evading equipment. The new stealth jets set up new growth points for China's new military weaponry and equipment. It marks a major improvement in China's national defense capabilities. "

China is now the second nation, after the United States, to develop two fifth-generation fighters.

For CRI, I am Shen Chengcheng.