NGAD is too expensively. It's shelved because its costing upward of $300mil.
While this plane is only about 30% higher than j20. They can be manufactured in big volume.
Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36) thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
While this plane is only about 30% higher than j20. They can be manufactured in big volume.
I am very skeptical of your positioning the J-36 behind the "tactical front." As the stealthiest and most survivable platform, it should be at the very front, where the threat is the greatest. Alternatively, it should used its speed to maneuver into the enemy's vulnerable flanks.In any case, as much of the discussion in the last few pages (as well as many of the fequent questions) have been somewhat conops related, I've quickly whipped this up, which somewhat depicts my vision of where I think J-36 will sit in the hierarchy/echelon of aerial combat organization in an a theater.
I.e.: basically as a survivable, intermediary bridge between the rear of AEW&C, AEW UAVs -- and the tactical front of manned tactical fighters and increasing prevalence of UCAVs/CCAs, while being networked with everything in theater with the onboard processing and data handling to make use of that information while able to loiter stealthily, and possess sufficient onboard weapons and sensors to carry out its own independent engagements if needed.
Given its immense range, it would operate where no other friendly platforms can follow (e.g. near Guam). I expect the J-36 to cooperate primarily with other very long range platforms like the CH-7
It’s gonna be expensive though. You’d want escort from CCA.
Considering that the J-36 is significantly superior to the fifth-generation aircraft in terms of lateral stealth and lateral detection capabilities (EOTS and lateral radar), it is more likely to become a "Flanker" in the literal sense. lateral stealth & detection capability is also conducive to controlling the engage distance. Traditional tactics of launches missiles forward and then maneuvers sideways while guiding will become almost completely lateral guidance.
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The whole EO apertures are ~70-80cm long. These are massive EO systems. The dielectric side panels/side radars are a bit larger at ~85x50cm. That's a fullsize fighter radar and should be at least equivalent to the APY-016K.
CCA able to keep up will cost not much less than it, and will in fact compromise its stealth(chance to spot a distributed formation of several separate ships is much higher than chance to spot a single ship).
Yeah it is expensive but is it that expensive? I'm gonna call it 1.5 times the cost of J-20, expensive but not so expensive you can't afford to lose it expensive.
I agree it will work with CCA, but it's survivability and offensive capability is not for show
The value of the aircraft, imo is exactly why it won't be operating at the tactical front, at least not at the early phases of a high end air war when both sides are at their "full strength".
In that context, its stealth and endurance and sensor and weapons set will be to act as a loitering force multiplier for every other asset rather than itself directly entering the fray at the frontline.
Certainly, if the initial stages of the air war occur in favour of the PLA, then J-36 could be risked to operate at greater distances against what remains of the adversary where aircraft like J-20 and J-35A cannot easily accompany it due to shorter combat radii. But in such a scenario it would require the PLA to "win" the first few rounds of aerial warfare to credibly secure air superiority, and that is what's more difficult imo and if is where the value of J-36 will first be felt in an air campaign.
Also, I didn't depict the adversary, but my assumption is the echelon structure of their own air combat system will look very similar, with a contact line of attritible UAVs, followed by CCAs/UCAVs and then tactical manned fighters.
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I think you are somewhat stuck in the B-21's combat framework.
Is it reasonable to sacrifice so much performance for such an obvious 2.5+Mach high-speed assault design and just linger in the rear, conduct flank assaults "if the initial stages of the air war occur in favour"?