Chinese UCAV/CCA/flying wing drones (ISR, A2A, A2G) thread

[Mearex]

The very smooth and highly polished appearance was a requirement from higher up. In CAC and SAC's opinion these aircrafts have not yet reached a stage where such care and attention to detail are required. But the order from above was slick and aesthetic appearance was also a requirement for displaying such advanced aircrafts so they insisted on it much to CAC and SAC's annoyance

Can you explain this part? What is that "stage"? Why shouldn't one always try to achieve a smooth finish on a fighter?

 

[Kejora]

Can you explain this part? What is that "stage"? Why shouldn't one always try to achieve a smooth finish on a fighter?

It probably still being revised and modified after testing so the finish doesn't need to be super nice. Kinda like Russian T-50 demonstrator that have loose panels and worse finish compared to production Su-57.

 

[kwaigonegin]

And just to say, the more i look at the UADFs the more awesome they look, especially the potential they offer, if you slap a cockpit on one or both you have a very formidable light 6th gen fighter with minimal changes, perfect for export (because i assume there will be decades ahead in which most countries would not afford UADFs or heavy 6th gen fighters). Also how about a STOVL out of them? They are single engine so that is a start. I wonder if they were designed with this kind of flexibility/modularity in mind.

LOL NO! it wouldn't be.minimal changes! You cant just bore a hold, stick a canopy on top and turn it into a manned fighter. It doesn't work like that.