The first production model of the FC-31, a fifth-generation Chinese fighter dedicated to the foreign market, nicknamed "King of the Hawks", will be released from the Beijing facilities in the 2019. This was stated by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) during a press conference at the Dubai Airshow 2015 which will end next Thursday.
The following dates are also confirmed: the fighter will reach the Initial Operational Capacity in the 2022. Two years later he will achieve the Full Operational Capability. This timing, as noted by the vice president of National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation Chinese, Li Yuhai, depends (obviously) on a client, who at the moment lacks completely. Despite being presented as the low-cost alternative to the F-35, there appears to be no buyers for the Chinese JSF.
The "People's Liberation Army Air Force" itself would be reluctant to adopt the hunt. Everything is focused on Pakistan (after the departure of Brazil, Nigeria and Argentina) that could decide to buy thirty to forty fighters. During the press conference other details of the Shenyang. Its wingspan is of 11,5 meters. Long 16,8 meters and high 4,8 meters, it has a maximum takeoff weight of 25.000 kg. The aircraft can carry four weapon systems of two tonnes in the internal hold. The six outer sub-wing pylons can carry six tons of weapons. The FC-31, version for the foreign market of the J-31, is equipped with an internal cannon, air-to-air missiles PL-9 and PL-12 in addition to the Chinese "small-diameter bombs". Considered a fighter stealth low-end, the FC-31 has a unit cost of 70 million dollars per specimen.
(see also "The Chinese F-35 is on the market, but nobody wants it")
