The stealth fighter J-35, developed by China for carrier operations, is said to have reached a new technological milestone by achieving a radar cross-section smaller than the palm of a hand, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
This breakthrough places the aircraft close to the level of the American F-35, which has a radar signature of about 15 cm², equivalent to the size of a golf ball. The J-35’s low detectability is attributed to its fuselage design and the use of domestically developed metamaterials.
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The aircraft is considered the second in the world capable of operating from aircraft carriers with stealth technology, behind only Lockheed Martin’s F-35 series. Recently, the J-35 completed catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing tests on the Fujian, China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults. The model has an estimated maximum takeoff weight of 30 tons, reinforcing the growing capabilities of Chinese naval aviation.
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These advancements come in parallel with strategic naval maneuvers, as the Fujian transited the Taiwan Strait towards the South China Sea for further trials.
With the J-35 and aircraft such as the J-15T and the KJ-600 integrated into operations, China is expanding its carrier-based air combat arsenal and approaching the technological level that, until now, was exclusive to the United States.
Source: South China Morning Post | Images: X @RealAirPower1 | CCTV. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
