USA’s F22 vs China’s J35 Comparison of the 5th Gen FIghter jet

The F-22 Raptor and J-35 are both advanced stealth fighter jets developed by the United States and China, respectively. While the F-22 has been in service since the mid-2000s and is known for its unmatched air superiority capabilities, the J-35 is a newer addition to China’s fleet, designed to compete in modern aerial warfare.

Both jets emphasize stealth, speed, and agility, but they have distinct design features, technologies, and roles within their respective air forces. In this comparison, we’ll look at how these two fighters stack up against each other in terms of performance, technology, and capabilities.

The F-22, a fighter jet of the fifth generation, flew for the first time on September 7, 1997, and made its premiere in 2005. The export of this aircraft was prohibited due to technological confidentiality. Additionally, a costly budget program forced the end of this aircraft’s production in 2011. Although this was the case, Lockheed Martin upgraded their technology to stay up with the most recent fighter jets. Only 195 aircraft had been built up to this point.

The FC-31 Also known as J-31, or J-35 is a stealthy twin-engine multirole fighter from China, generating significant international interest due to its potential as an export aircraft. With its impressive capabilities, the FC-31 is set to reshape China’s position in the global aerospace market. The aircraft made its maiden flight on October 29, 2021, marking an important milestone in the advancement of China’s aviation technology.

The F-22 Raptor and FC-31 (J-35) are both advanced stealthy multirole fighters, but they differ in design, performance, and operational roles. Here’s a comparison based on key specifications:

The F-22 Raptor has a maximum takeoff weight of 83,500 lb (38,000 kg), significantly heavier than the FC-31, which has a maximum takeoff weight of 61,729 lb (28,000 kg).

In terms of fuel capacity, the F-22 can carry 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) internally, or 26,000 lb (12,000 kg) with external fuel tanks, while the FC-31 carries 15,900 lb (7,200 kg) of fuel.

For propulsion, the F-22 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines, each producing 26,000 lbf (116 kN) of thrust dry, and 35,000 lbf (156 kN) with afterburners. In contrast, the FC-31 is powered by two Guizhou WS-13E (or WS-21 for the J-35), generating 20,720–20,950 lbf (92.16–93.2 kN) of thrust with afterburners.

Regarding speed, the F-22 has a maximum speed of Mach 2.25, or 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) at altitude, while the FC-31 can reach Mach 1.8, or 1,400 km/h (870 mph) at sea level.

When it comes to combat range, the F-22 has a combat radius of 7 50 nautical miles (863 miles, 1,389 km) on internal fuel with 100 nautical miles (185 km) in supercruise, while the FC-31 has a combat radius of 780 miles (1,250 km) on internal fuel.

Additionally, the F-22 has a length of 62 ft 1 in (18.92 m), making it longer than the FC-31, which measures 56 ft 9 in (17.3 m) in length.

The J-35 is estimated to cost between $70 million and $100 million per unit, while the F-22 Raptor carries a price tag of around $125 million per aircraft.

The F-22 is more resistant against ground defenses such as surface-to-air missiles because of higher operational altitude and cruise speed than the earlier fighters. This increases the effectiveness of the sensors and weapon systems and the F-22 has great maneuverability and energy potential throughout the entire flight envelope.

while FC-31 employs stealth coatings instead of “baked-in” fiber-mat stealth, a distinctive feature that differentiates it from other stealth fighters. The aircraft is set to eventually incorporate the Guizhou WS-19 turbofan engine, a fundamentally new design with advanced technology similar to the J-20’s engine. The WS-19 engine boasts a maximum thrust of 10 tonnes-force (98.1 kN), promising enhanced performance and efficiency.

The wings of the F-22 include four hard points, which are capable of supporting 5,000 lb and it normally carries armaments inside (2,300 kg). Each hard point can support a pylon with a detachable 600-gallon (2,270-liter) external fuel tank or a launcher with two air-to-air missiles; the two inboard hardpoints are “plumbed” for external fuel tanks.

while J-35) features a total of six internal hardpoints within its weapons bays, designed to carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions while maintaining its stealth profile. Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with six external hardpoints on its wings, capable of carrying up to 2,000 kilograms (4,400 lb) of external stores.