Semi-Lobster
Junior Member
Perhaps theres a mass re-engining program of the existing J-10 or J-11 fleets like what is going on with the J-8IIs?
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
- Start date
Perhaps theres a mass re-engining program of the existing J-10 or J-11 fleets like what is going on with the J-8IIs?
re:Russian Sources point out that the Chinese copy of the AL-31FN(?) engine cannot be reduced in weight with the 1st and 2nd compressor, therefore, China's version has less thrust and therefore we really dont care, until China solves thaT problem, and hopefully but then the TVC version will be out
Some of you may not be engineers so I can see a lots of terms like knock off and copy of Russian engine or US engine. Jet engine is very complicated item and need special manufacturing technology to manufacture some parts. Not all countries has same technology. Therefor knock off or copy is a demeaning word. All engineers around the world when working on new design will take reference of other design and come up with a new design that is more suitable to the manufacturing technology available.
WS-10 will be further developed in China as it is the most important item for the PLA. In time the engineering team gather together for this project will be invaluable to China. These engineers are all young and professional. They will be formidable in the near future. The people behind the design is more important than WS-10 in the long term.
Some of you may not be engineers so I can see a lots of terms like knock off and copy of Russian engine or US engine. Jet engine is very complicated item and need special manufacturing technology to manufacture some parts. Not all countries has same technology. Therefor knock off or copy is a demeaning word. All engineers around the world when working on new design will take reference of other design and come up with a new design that is more suitable to the manufacturing technology available.
WS-10 will be further developed in China as it is the most important item for the PLA. In time the engineering team gather together for this project will be invaluable to China. These engineers are all young and professional. They will be formidable in the near future. The people behind the design is more important than WS-10 in the long term.
bladerunner
Banned Idiot
The West wont be exactly standing still, while there may be incremental improvements, IMO the gap will remain formidable for years to come.
Pointblank
Senior Member
Exactly; the Russians still haven't caught up to us in engine technology today while the West have made leaps and bounds in engine technology.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
With more experience engineer retiring and declining interest in engineering , reduced defense budget in the future I am not so sure that will be the case.
We already witness it in the field of economy can military be far behind ?
Just like champion boxer once you are on the top, there is no other way but down
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bladerunner
Banned Idiot
Its too early draw such a conclusion. This financial meltdown has shown the West especially the UK and USA, that one cant rely on financial services on its own, for the source of a country's wealth.
I also think China would like to spend its money in other areas as well, rather than keep funnelling it into the military.
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Except the money China spends on military R&D probably also helps it develop domestic technology and vice versa. Aircraft engines, material science, microprocessors, broadband, etc, are all things that have applications in more fields than military aircraft. Of course, this holds true for all countries, but China's the one playing catchup here.
For now the 40-50 aged engineers in China had experienced the hard economic time of the past. Because of past hard time these people are dedicated and hard working. However it may not be the same for the current group of school aged youngster. These people much more so like their counter part in Japan and USA than their predecessors are generally spoiled in material life. How good they perform when they grow up we have to wait to see.
However my experience with the current bunch of Chinese middle engineer and elites are that they are as good if not better than any I see in the west. There is still wide technology gap with the west. However at just over 1/3 the cost of Western R&D the catch up game is still going on.
The Western arm embargo is doing wonder for the development of young Chinese engineers. So the west must keep up with the arm embargo until China actually over take them. The West is doing China a BIG favor here.
However my experience with the current bunch of Chinese middle engineer and elites are that they are as good if not better than any I see in the west. There is still wide technology gap with the west. However at just over 1/3 the cost of Western R&D the catch up game is still going on.
The Western arm embargo is doing wonder for the development of young Chinese engineers. So the west must keep up with the arm embargo until China actually over take them. The West is doing China a BIG favor here.