Does this imply that the WS-10C is not capable of supercruise? Or just more difficult to achieve that.
Chinese Engine Development
- Thread starter jackbh
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Does this imply that the WS-10C is not capable of supercruise? Or just more difficult to achieve that.
May need AB to punch through the transonic phase.
Actually even AL31F is sufficient for for supercruise without the need for an afterburner preboost. J20 follows the supersonic area rule better than any other 4th or 5th generation fighter. Even AL31F can enable it to cruise at around M1.4, while ws10c can reach around M1.6 and (to my best knowledge) WS15 goes all the way to M1.89 without afterburner.
It's been well established via J-20 pilot accounts that the J-20 was designed to fly best in the supersonic regime.
From memory, the quote from the pilot(s) is that the J-20 flies decently well at the subsonic and transonic regime but its performance is on a whole other level in the supersonic regime.
Back in the day of original J-20 block with the Al-31F, the J-20 was said to be able to supercruise. WS-10C allowed the J-20 to supercruise quite well and the semi official statements from the day sort of scoffed at the idea of low end supercruise with WS-10C, hinting at supercruising around Mach 1.5 with WS-10C.
Supercruise isn't all that impressive for a 5th gen. Very early on the J-20 days there were plenty of semi official sources claiming Al-31F allowed the J-20 to achieve supercruise albeit the narrative around that was "unimpressive supercruise".
From memory, the quote from the pilot(s) is that the J-20 flies decently well at the subsonic and transonic regime but its performance is on a whole other level in the supersonic regime.
Back in the day of original J-20 block with the Al-31F, the J-20 was said to be able to supercruise. WS-10C allowed the J-20 to supercruise quite well and the semi official statements from the day sort of scoffed at the idea of low end supercruise with WS-10C, hinting at supercruising around Mach 1.5 with WS-10C.
Supercruise isn't all that impressive for a 5th gen. Very early on the J-20 days there were plenty of semi official sources claiming Al-31F allowed the J-20 to achieve supercruise albeit the narrative around that was "unimpressive supercruise".
That's an oddly specific number though.
That is supposedly the number reached in a specific flight test from what I've heard. Might go even faster but I've no idea.
M2 without AB is a bit diabolical if I'm being honest. Imagine how quick the acceleration kicks in full AB.
But again, the J-20 has been tested around M3 in a wind tunnel.
But again, the J-20 has been tested around M3 in a wind tunnel.
On the other hand, beyond M2.25 the heat will start to degrade aircraft skin as composite materials are actually sort of a glorified plastic. Beyond Mach 2.5 chemical decomposition starts. Theoretically ws15 equipped J20 can fly to M2.8 from some ancient papers, but It's not going to fly at that speed while still being intact. Afterburners will be used extensively during takeoff and during aggressive cranking maneuvers but is basically unnecessary when flying in a straight line.
Close enough. Welcome back SR-71.
Oh, of course. I was never suggesting the J-20 operating at beyond M2.25 is anything realistic. Just the aero + propulsion potentials.