J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

[taxiya]

A few more.

Very interesting when J-20 and J-20A/S are put together in different light conditions. The top photo shows the undersides illuminated by ambiant light, the lower photo shows top sides by direct light from the sun. It is interesting that all variants have almost identical brightness and shade under direct light, but 20A/S have much darker shades than 20 from ambiant light. The reflectness of the new paint seems to be selective or sensitive to direction of incoming light, maybe due to polarization.

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

Very interesting when J-20 and J-20A/S are put together in different light conditions. The top photo shows the undersides illuminated by ambiant light, the lower photo shows top sides by direct light from the sun. It is interesting that all variants have almost identical brightness and shade under direct light, but 20A/S have much darker shades than 20 from ambiant light. The reflectness of the new paint seems to be selective or sensitive to direction of incoming light, maybe due to polarization.

I think it's rather that the dark camo on the J-20A/S is only applied to the aircraft's underside. From the top, it has the same camo as the baseline J-20.

 

[Ringsword]

Very interesting when J-20 and J-20A/S are put together in different light conditions. The top photo shows the undersides illuminated by ambiant light, the lower photo shows top sides by direct light from the sun. It is interesting that all variants have almost identical brightness and shade under direct light, but 20A/S have much darker shades than 20 from ambiant light. The reflectness of the new paint seems to be selective or sensitive to direction of incoming light, maybe due to polarization.

I was thinking the same thing-optical iridescence/shimmer like hologram on a banknote or scales on a butterfly's wings.Actually not just cheap paint but it is logical to assume the stealth/RAM coating has improved/progressed from the first J20 in 2011 to today's much more advanced in all aspects iteration

 

[Junior]

And again … where is this?

19th Brigade, Zhangjiakou AB

 

[Deino]

19th Brigade, Zhangjiakou AB

Thanks a lot since indeed I forgot to check at home ... yes, that's clearly Zhangjiakou

 

[by78]

J-20S.

 

[Wrought]

J-20S.

Looks almost white from this angle, like parade livery. Probably just the reflection (but it would be cool if they did custom paint jobs like some other countries).

 

[thingymabob]

J-20S.

The lighting here really brings out the new dark-grey coating they have going on the ventral side nicely. Shame they didn't do it as well on the dorsal side, although they probably have their reasons for not doing so. It would just be much more aesthetically complete for the entire body to be this particular grey.

 

[by78]

Self-explanatory.

 

[gongolongo]

Some basic rules in stealth vs stealth engagements:
1) Stealth planes are basically stealth in long distance (>100km), but unstealth in short distance (~10km).
2) When stealth fighters open their own radar, it will expose themselves.
3) So stealth fighters are always deployed with AEW&C planes hundreds km behind. Stealth fighters are in penetration mode, aka shutdown their own radar/lens, use AEW&C planes' radar/datalink as their INT source & guidance.
4) In peace time, stealth planes will open their reflectors when they're ready to be seen. When they don't want to be seen, they close their reflectors, and keep in penetration mode. In a word, they close reflectors in long distance, and open them in short distance w.r.t. enemy sensors (peace time).

US F-35s deployed in Japan regularly fly around East China Sea, to test China's air perimeter defense. In this case, China must send their stealth fighters, aka J-20, to intercept them. If China doesn't come, US will think their F-35 haven't been detected by China and provoke more. If China sends unstealth fighters like J-16/10 or Su-35, it's much inferior and can't teach US a lesson. This interception incident in 2022 is very like a combat scenario.

So, J-20 vs F-35 is a must. Both sides were supported with AEW&C planes. Both closed their reflectors at first.

First, China used its EW ground/air radars detected F-35s' possible intrusion & approximate location, and inform J-20 to intercept. Then, multiple J-20 took off, kept silent mode, until flew to a relatively short distance with F-35, suddenly opened their lens, which shocked US F-35 and AEW&C a lot. US finally detected J-20, but in a relatively close range, it's too late if it's in a war. That's why USAF generals keep praising J-20 & KJ-500 "professional".

Lens/Reflectors can be opened or closed according to specific scenario, and the two modes can be switched in a sec. But you won't open it in long distance, otherwise it's a waste for a stealth plane (keep it close can significantly squeeze enemy's reaction time/range). With AEW&C in back and RWR in stealth planes themselves, you can always know when to open lens (when you're approaching controversial areas).

When someone says he detects a stealth plane, it maybe useful, but mostly not, unless he can intercept it. Houthis once claim they detected a B-2, but was it helpful?

Not true. Stealth fighters can stay stealthy with their radar on. They have Low Probability Intercept modes that keeps the aircraft pretty silent still even with radar on. It degrades stealth but it's not automatic detection.