Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36) thread

[Biscuits]

This image for example clearly shows daylight shining through the gaps between the exhaust nozzles. It would be somewhat strange to have gaps if the plane had YF-23 style fixed exhaust troughs. But then again, what do I know?

That's an interesting observation which is new to me.

I mean if not for TVC why would there be random gaps between the nozzles? So that argument makes a lot of sense to me.

At first glance and at low res, the nozzles look seamless with the hull and therefore rigid. But that might actually just because they have the typical insane build quality as everything else PLA, where the surface look seamless even if it consists of movable parts.

I defer that there is possibility of TVC, although it's nowhere as obvious as on the J-XS

 

[banjex]

CHEN-CHAD.

 

[bsdnf]

Is it possible the IWB is taller/deeper? It can carry a magazine of 2x per slot for certain weapons type?

Another question, if this is not the fighter-bomber US intel talked about few years back, then that means there are still 2 more stealthy platforms under the curtain? The fighter bomber and the bomber?

no need to dwell on what US Intel said, focus on what is happening now

 

[siegecrossbow]

no need to dwell on what US Intel said, focus on what is happening now

If US intel is so great why did they get caught with their pants down twice this month?

 

[go4sdff]

The J-20 took [6-7 years] from [1st flight] to [Initial operational capability]

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Also take note of what the USAF General said about China acquiring weapons 5x faster than the USAF. Article below

twz.com/china-acquiring-new-weapons-five-times-faster-than-u-s-warns-top-official

According to Wiki, J-20's maiden flight date is 2011/1/11, entered service on 2016/12/12. less than 5 years

 

[AndrewS]

According to Wiki, J-20's maiden flight date is 2011/1/11, entered service on 2016/12/12. less than 5 years

Technically yes, it was 5 years to enter service.

But you have to add on 1-2 years to figure out how to use them, and get to Initial operational capability

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

If US intel is so great why did they get caught with their pants down twice this month?

They didn't even mention anything about it in the recent report to Congress!

 

[AndrewS]

If US intel is so great why did they get caught with their pants down twice this month?

@SinoAmericanCW

I think the US intelligence services do know.

But what does the USA gain by telling everyone that the US military is falling behind?

Other countries will be thinking:

1. the US is a declining power which is behind in next generation fighter jets
2. we need to adjust to a future where in a hypothetical US-China war, the US military would be defeated

 

[SinoAmericanCW]

@SinoAmericanCW

I think the US intelligence services do know.

But what does the USA gain by telling everyone that the US military is falling behind?

Other countries will be thinking:

1. the US is a declining power which is behind in next generation fighter jets
2. we need to adjust to a future where in a hypothetical war, the US military would lose

Well, their options were:

1. Mention it in the report to Congress, and appear up-to-date
2. Fail to mention it, see China test two 6th gens in the following weeks, and appear clueless

 

[Kich]

This image for example clearly shows daylight shining through the gaps between the exhaust nozzles. It would be somewhat strange to have gaps if the plane had YF-23 style fixed exhaust troughs. But then again, what do I know?

2D TVC it seems.

More back end pictures will answer this but it will be perplexing if they didn't include some vector-thrust controls considering how limited maneuverability it inherently has as a design.