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

[AndrewS]

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

I expect that in confidential briefings to Congress, Chinese 6th gen aircraft programmes would be mentioned.

But let's suppose the US intel agencies had reported on the J-36 a few weeks ago, in order to appear "less clueless"

I expect there a lot of international debates and negotiations ongoing

The result would be a shift towards China and against the US.

 

[vincent]

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?

Sharpening artifacts?

 

[2=GT]

Good quality video

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[by78]

Sharpening artifacts?

No, the gaps are real. They show up in a couple of other images as well.

 

[AndrewS]

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 of maneuverability it inherently has as a design.

Agreed

Based on the @Jason_ wing sweep measurements (49.5degrees), the J-36 is optimised for supercruise speeds

And given that control surfaces have limited effectiveness at supersonic speeds, thrust-vectoring would be really useful.

 

[leibowitz]

What unique high-end capabilities does a H-20 have?

The H-20 has got more range and payload because:

1. It's optimised as a subsonic flying wing for payload and range
2. The H-20 has 4 engines rather than 3 engines

But for everything else, there shouldn't be much difference between an H-20 and J-36. If anything, the J-36 will have more capabilities.

---

The prior rumours of the H-20 being postponed make a lot more sense now, because there are comparatively few worthwhile targets beyond Guam (3000km away) and the rest of the 2IC. The next worthwhile potential target is Hawaii on the 3IC which is 8000km away.

The biggest reason for the H20 is to credibly threaten Pearl Harbor/San Diego, and secondarily Diego Garcia.

I'm not sure if the CPC believes that's a priority at this time, as they have repeatedly said they have no desire to challenge US global leadership

 

[FKAMtS4kE]

Btw @Jason_ made some calculations earlier
View attachment 141707

Is it possible the "large aperture optical sensors" on the sides are actually a directed energy weapon? If I recall, that was one of the proposed features for a 6th gen plane.

 

[ShooterMiku]

Just a quick suggestion there will be more coming in short future and it is not gonna be CAC or SAC, it will be a Chinese Advanced version of F/B-22 fron Xi'an so we may need another thread

 

[Biscuits]

Just a quick suggestion there will be more coming in short future and it is not gonna be CAC or SAC, it will be a Chinese Advanced version of F/B-22 fron Xi'an so we may need another thread

Can you send the rumor sources?

 

[sunnymaxi]

The biggest reason for the H20 is to credibly threaten Pearl Harbor/San Diego, and secondarily Diego Garcia.

I'm not sure if the CPC believes that's a priority at this time, as they have repeatedly said they have no desire to challenge US global leadership

H-20 program going as per the plan. there is no change in it, in fact we have official confirmation from PLAAF National People's congress representative.