China’s Aviation Experts tests their second stealth fighter prototype

China’s aircraft industry's growing sophistication has started showing its
effects as they have tested a flight of their second model of a prototype stealth fighter on Thursday near the northeastern city of Shenyang. Two Chinese-made J-11 fighters accompanied it on the flight, which Chinese military enthusiast websites said took place Wednesday and lasted about 10 minutes.

China has already tested a plane known as J-20 whereas recently tested plane is named as J-31. According to experts J-20’s role could have been that of a bomber whereas light weight and smaller size of the J-31 tells us of his receptor role.

While both planes feature stealth design features, their true capabilities in terms of sensors, radar-absorbing coatings, and other key factors remain unknown. It isn't known when, or if, either plane will go into production.

"I think it's a fairly straight forward evolution to develop advanced fighters at this time, but you can't read too much into it in terms of capabilities," Waldron told The Associated Press.

The technical barriers and development costs for such aircraft are enormous and the U.S. has struggled for years to deliver on their potential.

Another major challenge for China is developing engines for its fighters that are reliable and capable enough for such cutting-edge aircraft, Babbage said. China remains overwhelmingly reliant on Russia for engines for its latest J-10, J-11, and J-15 models, the last two of which were developed from Russian Sukhoi fighter-bombers.

"The demands in the engine area are very substantial," Babbage said.

Despite that, the ability to develop two prototype stealth fighters at the same time demonstrates an impressive capability on the part of the Chinese industry, he said.

"It's a very interesting development. It shows how rapidly they're moving ahead."