Both the J-35 and J-35A featured in the aerial formations for Wednesday’s parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Fighter designers discussed the pairing in a CCTV programme aired on Thursday, exploring the design connections and key differences between the models. They said common components were engineered for reuse, supporting rapid integration across air and naval variants.
The programme showed close-ups of a J-35 model with folding wings, an internal weapons bay and a tailhook. The open bay, showing six air-to-air missiles, drew the most attention among military observers online and matched the loadout of America’s most advanced operational stealth fighter, the F-22.
Foldable fins support a compressed launcher concept, allowing six missiles to be housed within the internal bays of stealth aircraft.
Military analysts speculate that both the J-20 and J-35 are equipped with the PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, pending official disclosure. Additional missiles from the PL family were also featured during last week’s parade through central Beijing.
