Located on the northern outskirts of the city of Shenyang, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) is one of China’s oldest civilian and military aircraft manufacturing companies. SAC is known for designing and producing fighter aircraft, with the J-8 and J-11B being part of its major current product line. The company has been under a recent media spotlight regarding the development of new fighters, including the naval-enabled multirole fighter known as the J-15, and the next-generation stealth fighter known as the J-31.

1. FEATURE Specialist imagery analysis from IHS Jane’s Military & Security Assessments Intelligence Centre
Fighters at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang, China, 41°51’40”N, 123°26’03”E
Key points View imagery
• Located on the northern outskirts of the city of Shenyang, the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) is one of China’s oldest civilian and military
aircraft manufacturing companies. SAC is known for designing and producing fighter aircraft, with the J-8 and J-11B being part of its major
current product line. The company has been under a recent media spotlight regarding the development of new fighters, including the naval-
enabled multirole fighter known as the J-15, and the next-generation stealth fighter known as the J-31.
• DigitalGlobe satellite imagery shows expansion activity at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation between July and November 2012. July imagery
shows initial ground work for construction under way; in November, roofing and major foundation work on a new structure appears complete. Image 1 Image 2
The structure’s size and proximity to the runway and a possible air traffic control building suggests that the building is strategic.
• On 2 October 2012, a possible J-31, China’s newest stealth fighter, is seen undergoing maintenance tests several weeks before its first public
flight. According to IHS Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, the J-31 has a twin engine and a wingspan of 11.5 m. It is approximately 18.8 m in
length and has a wing area of 40 m2. These general characteristics make the J-31 smaller than the J-20, China’s other stealth fighter.
• In 7 November 2012 satellite imagery, six J-7 (MiG-21 ‘Fishbed’) fighters are on one section of the parking apron, and one J-11 Image 3
(Su-27 ‘Flanker’), three J-8 (‘Finback’) fighters, and two experimental J-11 fighters are on a second section.
• The distinctive yellow paint seen on the probable J-11 is often associated with experimental or newly manufactured aircraft. Similar testing and
development activity for the J-15 naval-enabled multirole fighter is critical to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), especially at a
time when China’s newly commissioned aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is conducting flight training operations.
Related articles
Images hint at Chinese STOVL programme, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly
https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=News&ItemId=+++1536104&Pubabbrev=JDW
Tooling up: Chinese weaponeers make their mark, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly
https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=News&ItemId=+++1532346&Pubabbrev=JDW
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, IHS Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft
https://janes.ihs.com/CustomPages/Janes/DisplayPage.aspx?DocType=Reference&ItemId=+++1342315&Pubabbrev=JAWA
IHS Jane’s Imagery Watch | January 2013 | © 2013 IHS Click here to register for a complimentary imagery analysis Online Intelligence Briefing

2. 95 m
212 m
China: New construction at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation throughout 2012.
Images dated 14 July 2012 (left), and 8 November 2012 (right).
IHS Jane’s Imagery Watch | January 2013 | © 2013 IHS Click here to register for a complimentary imagery analysis Online Intelligence Briefing

3. Possible J-31
China: A possible J-31, China’s newest stealth fighter, is seen undergoing maintenance tests several weeks
before its first public flight on the runway at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Image dated 2 October 2012.
IHS Jane’s Imagery Watch | January 2013 | © 2013 IHS Click here to register for a complimentary imagery analysis Online Intelligence Briefing

4. J-8 (‘Finback’) fighters J-11 (Su-27 ‘Flanker’) fighter
J-7 (MiG-21 J-11 (Su-27 ‘Flanker’) fighters
‘Fishbed’) fighters
China: Multiple military aircraft observed at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation.
Image dated 7 November 2012.
IHS Jane’s Imagery Watch | January 2013 | © 2013 IHS Click here to register for a complimentary imagery analysis Online Intelligence Briefing