Wonder if 6th gen can launch hypersonic munitions at speed that their engine can get straight to work without needing boosters.
This is really old way of thinking.
the power of j-36 will not come from itself but also from UCAV that you package around it.
think about something like MD22, both it and J-36 will have 3000 km combat radius. Anything MD-22 drops will be hypersonic just due to its momentum alone.
Mach 2.5+ with high altitude flying means long range missions
No, mach2.5+ won’t be the most efficient cruising speed.
higher speed allows J36 to get to battlefield faster. That carries signifi
Just by eyeballing the J-36, it should have 50% more range than the J-20 because of the doubling of the fuel capacity while consuming 50% more because of the extra engine. Realistically, combat radius should be in the +/- 2500km range.
Which is exactly the range to the 2IC...
no, they specifically said Guam which is 3000 km away. That means 3000 km combat radius + loiter time.
50% more weight does not mean 50% more fuel tank. Also, 50% more weight and engine does not mean 50% more fuel consumption.
with latest material science tech & space + weight reduction tech, I expect doubling of fuel tank.
flywing designs allow for large amount of fuel in the wing and offers lower drag vs conventional designs that have tail
Also the 3 engine 3 intake layout allow for certain subsonic cruise mode that is likely very fuel efficient and low RCS.
If they say 10000 km range then I expect it can be used to strike target 4000 km away.
think Alaska.
Something that I have been thinking since the reveal
I really can't see how the B-21 can work as originally envisioned. Imo a high mach, high range, high endurance CHAD is the perfect counter for a subsonic bomber which has a "penetration" role
Yes, it is a B-21 hunter when paired with a bunch of UCAVs.
For 3km combat range, and some (non)permissions for overfly, it looks like all US bases in Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are more or less in range.
This will massively expand Chinese threat vectors towards US forces stationed in Middle East. Could now expand from Asia Pacific to the Middle East theater
Think farther. By the time this thing goes into service, China probably will have more control over central & South Asia, allowing it to presumably refuel overland outside of its territory if necessary. But realistically speaking, that’s not too important long term. Hitting Diego Garcia is a logical target.
This bird looks more like a "regional bomber" (think SU-34) than any kind of fighter. Range, stealth, internal weapons carriage, apparently side-by-side cockpit... it's got all the bomber-vibes in my opinion...
This is really poor analysis that’s very based on 2000s air warfare concept.
this is essentially a forward operating command & control aircraft that will be designed to operate close to enemy bases or far out fleet or loiter for long period of time to 1IC. Because it’s very survivable platform that can outrun AAMs & probably kill them with DEW.
What J-36 carries in its IWB is not as important as what UCAVs you pair along with it.
its inherently a multi role platform because its attacking prowess will come from the nodes that it control.
think of it as a central node (brain) with many other nodes that are manned or unmanned. Those side nodes will help it form one platform that attacks adversary.
they will operate as one unit for sensor fusion to computation to area coverage to attack missions to staying on station (some refueling drones)
hence the need for 2 pilots. It’s going to be controlling many nodes.
