Nukes Get Upgrade | 🚨 J-35 Fighter | Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter

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Edited by: Sidney McAlear

HISTORY OF THE DAY

January 21, 1954: Launch of USS Nautilus (SSN-571)

The USS Nautilus (SSN-571), the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, was launched in a ceremony at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower christened the vessel, marking a pivotal moment in naval and technological history. Named after the fictional submarine in Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, the Nautilus was more than a marvel of engineering — it represented a transformative leap in naval capability.

1958 Polar Transit: The Nautilus became the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole, traveling beneath the Arctic ice cap. This mission, known as Operation Sunshine, demonstrated the strategic mobility and reach of nuclear submarines.

The success of the Nautilus spurred a global arms race in submarine technology. The U.S. Navy capitalized on this breakthrough by rapidly expanding its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, which became critical components of the nation's nuclear triad during the Cold War.

THREAT OF THE DAY…via Wikipedia

Shenyang J-35 Stealth Fighter
Country of Origin: China
Nickname: "Gyrfalcon" (Unofficial, derived from FC-31 project)
Initial Operating Capability (IOC): Estimated mid-2020s
Variants: Land and naval variants
Engines: Early prototypes used Russian RD-93 engines, later replaced by indigenous WS-13E or WS-21 engines. Future models may feature the WS-19, enabling supercruise capabilities.
🔺 Mach 1.8
🔺 Six internal air-to-air missiles & six additional external hardpoints - PL-15 & PL-10 missiles.
🔺 Range: 1,250 - 2,000 km | 600 - 1100 nautical miles
Avionics: Equipped with AESA radar, electro-optical targeting systems (EOTS), and a distributed aperture system (DAS) for situational awareness.
Origins: The J-35 evolved from the FC-31 "Gyrfalcon,” a prototype developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) to compete in the global stealth fighter market.

• 2012: Maiden flight of the FC-31 prototype.

• 2021: First flight of the navalised J-35 prototype.

• 2023: Land-based J-35A variant debuted, signaling parallel development for PLAAF and PLAN requirements.

“Fun” Facts:
 🔺 Second Stealth Fighter: The J-35 makes China the only nation, apart from the U.S., to field two distinct fifth-generation fighters (J-20 and J-35).
🔺 Strategic Implications: Deployment on carriers like the Type 003 Fujian underscores Beijing’s intent to extend its naval reach into contested waters such as the South China Sea and beyond.

The J-35 represents a significant leap for Chinese aviation, merging domestic innovation with lessons learned from global stealth platforms. While its ultimate capability compared to its Western counterparts remains debated, its development signals China’s growing ambitions in both air and naval power projection.

A-10 to Leave Overseas | 🇷🇺 Russia Trades S-400🇰🇵 | OA-1K SkyWarden 

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 Vermont Air National Guard Deploys F-35s to Japan | The Vermont Air National Guard's 134th Fighter Squadron has deployed F-35As to Kadena Air Base, Japan, replacing aging F-15C/D Eagles. This marks the latest effort to bolster the U.S. military's presence in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with strategic goals in the region. Vermont's F-35 pilots will support air defense and regional security missions.

🎯 Air Force Secretary Kendall Eyes F-35 Successor, 2050 Vision | Outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall outlined plans for a next-generation fighter jet to eventually replace the F-35, focusing on advanced capabilities to counter future threats. There is a lot to digest from this report, but ultimately, there are so many unknowns. Looking at the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform — which is planned to be a 6th-Generation Fighter (plus ecosystem with Collaborative Combat Aircraft) — will require an additional $20 Billion in R&D (3x the F-35). The original plan was to award an NGAD contract by 2024…but that has been put on hold pending further assessments.

🎯 Ex-Green Beret Charged in Failed Venezuela Coup Attempt | Jordan Goudreau, a former U.S. Green Beret, faces charges for organizing a botched 2020 coup against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Dubbed "Operation Gideon," the mission aimed to overthrow Maduro but ended in arrests and fatalities. Goudreau claims the CIA was aware of Operation Gideon, which aimed to overthrow Maduro using a small force of exiled Venezuelans. Alleging a subsequent cover-up, Goudreau accuses the agency of suppressing key details to avoid political fallout, leaving him and others to take the blame.

🎯 U.S. Nukes Get a Facelift | The U.S. has completed a $9 billion upgrade to its B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs, enhancing their deployment capabilities on platforms like the F-35, F-16, F-15E, Germany’s Tornado, and the upcoming B-21 bomber (Call 1-800-FLY-By-WIRE for EMP fun). This 17-year modernization effort wrapped up in December 2024 after three years of production, consolidating and upgrading older B61 variants. Next on the horizon: the B61-13, boasting a 360-kiloton yield (compared to the B61-12's 50 kilotons), set for production in 2026. For perspective, the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki had yields of 15 and 21 kilotons, respectively.

🎯 Trump Taps Dr. Troy Meink to Lead the Air Force | Dr. Troy Meink, a former KC-135 Navigator commissioned into the Air Force in 1988, has been nominated to serve as Secretary of the Air Force. With a career spanning key leadership roles, including Undersecretary of the Air Force for Space under Obama and Principal Director at the National Reconnaissance Office, Meink brings extensive experience in space and intelligence operations. If confirmed, he will be joined by Matthew Lohmeier, a former F-15C fighter pilot turned Space Force commander. Lohmeier gained national attention after being dismissed for publishing a book warning of Marxist ideology within the military. The appointments signal a strong emphasis on defending air and space domains amid mounting global challenges.

🎯 China Offers J-10CE Jets for Brazilian Satellite Site Access | China has proposed a strategic exchange to Brazil: advanced J-10CE fighter jets in return for access to the Alcântara Launch Center, a key satellite launch site. The J-10CE, a single-engine, multirole fighter equipped with AESA radar and advanced avionics, could bolster Brazil's air power while deepening ties with Beijing. Alcântara's proximity to the equator makes it an attractive location for satellite launches, offering fuel and cost efficiencies. (Previous Threat of the Day - J-10)

🎯 Kratos Secures $1.5 Billion Hypersonic Testbed Contract | Kratos Defense & Security has landed its largest-ever contract, a $1.45 billion award to develop hypersonic testbed systems for the Department of Defense. This groundbreaking deal solidifies Kratos' role in advancing hypersonic technologies. While the U.S. Military has test ranges, they are not large enough to test missiles moving mach 5+. The MACH-TB (Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed) aims to provide DoD users the ability to test hypersonic technology.

🎯 China's Kamikaze Drone Surge | China has ordered nearly one million loitering munitions, commonly known as "kamikaze drones." This bulk procurement signals Beijing's intent to bolster its asymmetric warfare capabilities, leveraging these drones for precision strikes, reconnaissance, and overwhelming enemy defenses. The drones, produced by a state-run defense firm, Poly Technologies, are part of China's strategy to enhance battlefield efficiency and reduce reliance on traditional airpower.

Trivia:

Answer: B) Shenyang J-35

The Shenyang J-35, derived from the FC-31 "Gyrfalcon" prototype, is designed for both the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People’s Liberation Army Naval Air Force (PLANAF), making it China’s second fifth-generation stealth fighter.