So can F-22 and F-35
Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36) thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Its primary role is an air to air combat aircraft oriented to operate within next generation aerial warfare concepts, with multirole capabilities that include strike that all modern aircraft have.
The best way to approach things, is to accept that an air superiority fighter for the future does not need to be particularly nimble, and instead view things like networking, EW, power generation, command capabilities, payload, stealth and persistence/range/endurance as more important instead.
The Su-57 is a very big jet which most successful combat missions included blowing up a thermal power plant with an internally carried cruise missile.
Is it a bomber or fighter-bomber (hehe)?
No, it's a multirole fighter.
The F-35 is similar, in fact the program was named "Joint STRIKE fighter", with the entire aircraft being optimized for A2G missions, hunting SAMs, TELs, dropping bombs, you name it. It's still a fighter and by most undoubtedly considered a multirole fighter.
The J-36 is big because it needs to be, it most likely features, like the Su-57, at least three sperate radar arrays. However most likely much larger and more powerful. On top of that come more sophisticated avionics, other sensors like EOTS and who knows what else. All of that requires energy and cooling. And all of that has to come or go somewhere. On top of that comes range, that thing is designed (most likely) to establish air superiority in the western pacific. So it needs long range, which means lots of fuel. However it should also be able to carry large air-to-air missiles to get the most out of it's advanced radar and engage targets at long ranges. Also it should be able to carry ALCMs or even ALBMs. Currently the Su-57 is the only stealth fighter that can carry ALCMs internally. However it's doubtful it will be the last. That ability is so incredibly useful, I am 100% there will be supersonic ALCMs for the J-36.
All of the above lead to a large aircraft. When you have superior radar, missiles and avionics, as well as being able to work with CCAs...well then maneuverability becomes secondary at best. It's simply not nearly as important as any of the above.
And that seems to be the trend. None of the notional concepts of any 6th Generation fighter from the US, Europe or China look to prioritize maneuverability. It's simply not important for fighters of the next generation.