Do we know for sure it was the first prototype? I think some skepticism is valid. The J-15 is the only Su-27 variant in production in China that doesn't use the WS-10, and I think that's for more than just because it's at sea. I surmise that the rumored lower stall speed of the AL-31 is the reason that the J-15 and the J-10 do not favor the WS-10, and if that problem is fixed, both future J-15 and J-10 variants will start using the WS-10.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
- Start date
Do we know for sure it was the first prototype? I think some skepticism is valid. The J-15 is the only Su-27 variant in production in China that doesn't use the WS-10, and I think that's for more than just because it's at sea. I surmise that the rumored lower stall speed of the AL-31 is the reason that the J-15 and the J-10 do not favor the WS-10, and if that problem is fixed, both future J-15 and J-10 variants will start using the WS-10.
Engineer
Major
It's more for saving time and for reducing risks. The Su-33 already test-flown by the Soviets. Using the AL-31F, the J-15 has the same flight dynamics as the Su-33, which allowed PLAAF to start training right away.
But if that was the reason as of today we would be seeing regular J-15 with WS-10 operating on the Liaoning, which is not the case
I don't remember there being new baseline J-15s recently. The only recent newbuilds that I remember are J-15S and J-15A, both of which use WS-10s. The baseline J-15s probably aren't numerous enough to justify an entire new qualification process necessary if the PLANAF tried to reequip them with WS-10s. I mean, there are only like 20 of them in total. Just stick the proven AL-31Fs in them and be done with it.
The J-15A, on the other hand, will constitute the bulk of China's carrier fleet for the foreseeable future. It makes sense for the PLANAF to qualify them with WS-10s from the get-go. Furthermore, they might have been waiting for the WS-10B, whose design certification was granted in 2014. The development of the J-15 would have preceded the WS-10B by a few years, necessitating the use of the older WS-10A with lower thrust, giving it no significant advantage over the AL-31F but having the disadvantage of not being tested for maritime use.
antiterror13
Brigadier
well, replacing engine is not like you plug in your USB flash disk ... much more complicated than that ... and why would you replace the engine when the condition still good. I'd expect new build J-15x will be fitted with WS-10x
Engineer
Major
They chose AL-31F to speed up training four years ago, and pilots are being trained on J-15s with AL-31F today. It is a simple causality.
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But at least to try them for future J-15, like the prototype #554, after that there haven't been any evidence of WS-10 test on carriers
antiterror13
Brigadier
I'd bet the newly built J-15x for 001A and 002 will be fitted with WS-10x ... the thing is .... there is enough J-15 (with AL-31x) for 001 ... perhaps better use the same engine for all main fighters in the same AC ... otherwise imagine how inefficient the logistic would be (handling AL-31x and WS-10x)
SamuraiBlue
Captain
You'll also need to consider how many spare engines that AC would need to stock since you really do not want to ground a plane on a AC during a long mission and engines do need to be maintained.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
First posted by Broadsword at CDF. I know you are here under different handle name.
I don't know why the Russian has been bad mouthing WS10 engine for awhile. Concocting outlandish BS.They think they can get a way doing it, since China normally doesn't respond to this kind of BS. Not this time though they retort back. I think People daily got their number wrong 2005 when Taihang was certified for 300 hr I believe. It start production in 2010. I think he is right western engine has better lifespan and MTBO and better efficiency
Taihang engines do not pose safety hazard: experts
() 16:04, November 24, 2016
[File photo]
Chinese experts have denounced speculation by foreign media that the country’s best warplane engine may pose safety risks.
“Judging by the performance and application of the WS-10A Taihang engine, it’s unlikely that potential hazards such as explosions will occur during flight. If such safety loopholes do exist, the government will definitely recall the engines without risking the lives of pilots,” a military expert from the National University of Defense Technology told Science and Technology Daily in an interview.
The expert, Wang Qun, made his remarks after a Russian news website accused the WS-10A Taihang engine of being a copy of Russia’s AL-31F. According to the report, China tried to raise the engine’s operating temperature to 50 degrees Celsius, but due to its inability to produce complex single-crystal blades, the engine could explode at any time during flight.
“There is a moon-to-earth distance between Taihang and the AL-31F,” read the report. Wang, however, disagreed.
“It’s true that China’s engine technologies lag behind those of its Western counterparts, but it’s not objective to belittle Taihang’s performance. Thaihang’s disadvantages lie in its lifespan, reliability and stability; otherwise, the gap between Taihang and more advanced engines is not that big,” said Wang.
“Conservatively speaking, China reached the level of developed countries in the '90s, as far as engine manufacturing goes. The country has already made great achievements, and will soon catch up to its Western counterparts,” Wang added.
First launched in 2005, Taihang engines have been deployed by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in five air force regiments. Various fighter jets are also equipped with the engine, including the J-11B and J-15 carrier-based fighter jets. So far, there have been no crashes due to engine failure among fighter jets equipped with Taihang engines.
I don't know why the Russian has been bad mouthing WS10 engine for awhile. Concocting outlandish BS.They think they can get a way doing it, since China normally doesn't respond to this kind of BS. Not this time though they retort back. I think People daily got their number wrong 2005 when Taihang was certified for 300 hr I believe. It start production in 2010. I think he is right western engine has better lifespan and MTBO and better efficiency
Taihang engines do not pose safety hazard: experts
() 16:04, November 24, 2016
[File photo]
Chinese experts have denounced speculation by foreign media that the country’s best warplane engine may pose safety risks.
“Judging by the performance and application of the WS-10A Taihang engine, it’s unlikely that potential hazards such as explosions will occur during flight. If such safety loopholes do exist, the government will definitely recall the engines without risking the lives of pilots,” a military expert from the National University of Defense Technology told Science and Technology Daily in an interview.
The expert, Wang Qun, made his remarks after a Russian news website accused the WS-10A Taihang engine of being a copy of Russia’s AL-31F. According to the report, China tried to raise the engine’s operating temperature to 50 degrees Celsius, but due to its inability to produce complex single-crystal blades, the engine could explode at any time during flight.
“There is a moon-to-earth distance between Taihang and the AL-31F,” read the report. Wang, however, disagreed.
“It’s true that China’s engine technologies lag behind those of its Western counterparts, but it’s not objective to belittle Taihang’s performance. Thaihang’s disadvantages lie in its lifespan, reliability and stability; otherwise, the gap between Taihang and more advanced engines is not that big,” said Wang.
“Conservatively speaking, China reached the level of developed countries in the '90s, as far as engine manufacturing goes. The country has already made great achievements, and will soon catch up to its Western counterparts,” Wang added.
First launched in 2005, Taihang engines have been deployed by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force in five air force regiments. Various fighter jets are also equipped with the engine, including the J-11B and J-15 carrier-based fighter jets. So far, there have been no crashes due to engine failure among fighter jets equipped with Taihang engines.
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