I agree with you guys. Although I am a random shitposter,
I've made a relatively accurate guess of the Chengdu advanced aircraft that just flew in this very thread. I think this gives me at least 1% credibility.
China has shown that it has its own doctrine and shapes technology around doctrine rather than throwing the biggest numbers at the wall. Historically, Chinese have regarded doctrine as more important than tech alone. While some call that a 1950's cope, it isn't. Recent developments show this.
- yeah it's good... so what's it good at? Oh, shore bombardment...
As outsiders we only see the tip of the iceberg is but it is clear that speed and flexibility is a requirement. A very expensive manned plane has to do something that another asset cannot do. It has to be able to conduct organic recon, networked to other assets, attack moving targets, etc.
Based on the guessed doctrine, let me propose this set of
observable characteristics with explanations:
I'd call it a stretched, enlarged, strike specialized J-36. I think the combination of VLO and supersonic flight would provide for a very survivable aircraft. It also reduces development cost as the basic concept and subcomponents are proven and only validation work is required, rather than conceptual and subcomponent level design.
This is just my guess. We'll see right?
