China Flanker Thread II
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PiSigma
"the engineer"
How different is B to D?? As in if they want to upgrade to D specs later would it be easy? My train of thought is D research is taking longer than expected so they build Bs to fill the gap for now. Once D is finallized (if ever) they start to produce D and upgrade B.
And also this:
Maybe a little outdated, but quite useful.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
So, "PUPU" has officially "confirmed" that the J-11D program has been canceled. Rumors from Henri K. also suggest that the four prototypes have been dismantled.
Don't know what to make of this, but the dismantling of the prototypes could only mean one of two things:
1. The financial situation at SAC is dire, necessitating the cannibalism of existing J-11D prototypes.
2. The J-11D project has not been formally "terminated" but rather is undergoing a major design shift.
Don't know what to make of this, but the dismantling of the prototypes could only mean one of two things:
1. The financial situation at SAC is dire, necessitating the cannibalism of existing J-11D prototypes.
2. The J-11D project has not been formally "terminated" but rather is undergoing a major design shift.
But even if the project has been cancelled, why should they dismantle the prototypes ?
SinoSoldier
Colonel
For the reasons mentioned above? If SAC is really short on money, they could re-use the parts on the J-11D prototypes for existing or future fighters programs.
If true, it'd signal a wise move on the part of Chinese defense ministry and PLAAF. Maybe they've realized it's better to use the money for more J20 than to split the funds between J20 and something last-gen, such as J11D.
Perhaps project was started years ago under different management, back when things weren't so clear on J20's success, or perhaps back when SAC had more clout with Chinese govt., so projects were also given to them just for political reasons, to keep them alive.
Various subsystems made for J11D could and should still find their way to upgraded Flankers, of course.
And SAC itself, even if it's not successful at winning some orders for any of their newly designed products, should be given production rights of some other projects, be their CAC's or XAC's. Imagine J10B, for example, being built both at CAC and SAC simultaneously.
Perhaps project was started years ago under different management, back when things weren't so clear on J20's success, or perhaps back when SAC had more clout with Chinese govt., so projects were also given to them just for political reasons, to keep them alive.
Various subsystems made for J11D could and should still find their way to upgraded Flankers, of course.
And SAC itself, even if it's not successful at winning some orders for any of their newly designed products, should be given production rights of some other projects, be their CAC's or XAC's. Imagine J10B, for example, being built both at CAC and SAC simultaneously.
I like what I'm hearing. As I mentioned in another thread, I just don't see the point of having a plane that serves the exact same role as the J-20, except worse in every respect. I think a complimentary plane to the J-20 would be a high speed stealth tactical bomber, the rumored JH-8. I think the leaked design is a bit small though, I'd prefer something with say 4 WS-15s, and capable of carrying at least 2 YJ-12 sized missiles or 6 of those ultra long range AAMs for shoot and scoot missions at stand-off range against high value air, ground, and sea targets in a highly hostile environment.
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