China’s advanced J-35 stealth jets, deployed on aircraft carriers, can carry up to six missiles, according to a program by state broadcaster CCTV.
The information was shared following the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) parade held in Beijing last week.
On Wednesday, September 3, both the J-35 and J-35A participated in the aerial formations of the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The following day, fighter designers discussed the pair on a CCTV program, exploring the design connections and key differences between the models.
According to them, common components were designed for reuse, enabling rapid integration between air and naval variants.
During the program, close-ups of a J-35 model with folding wings were shown, along with the internal weapons bay and tail hook.
The open bay, displaying six air-to-air missiles, drew the most attention from online military observers and matched the payload of the United States’ most advanced operational stealth fighter, the F-22.
The folding fins support a compact launcher concept, allowing six missiles to be housed in the internal bays of stealth-focused aircraft.
Meanwhile, military analysts speculate that both the J-20 and J-35 are equipped with long-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles, though these have not yet been officially disclosed.
It is noteworthy that additional missiles from the PL family were also showcased during last week’s parade in Beijing.
Photo and video: Creative Commons. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
