I disagree. The conflicting baseline reqs for the F-35 have already resulted in the most costly and divisive R&D project in Pentagon history.
J-18 ???
- Thread starter pendragon
- Start date
I disagree. The conflicting baseline reqs for the F-35 have already resulted in the most costly and divisive R&D project in Pentagon history.
airsuperiority
Captain
Furthering your point: there isn't a single thing the F-35 seemed to be specialized in being good at, other than being the most controversial, least supported, most drawbacks, biggest business failure ever. Other than being capable in this aspect, it can't outperform an A-10 in ground-attack (also more softer-skinned than it), carry less AAMs than F-16, F-18, lesser than F-15C/E in every aspect....that this plane is only marketing LO and high-end avionics. It's like the current status of the Su-35 in terms of export relations...except the Su-35 has much more luck than it..and I'd rather go with a Su-35 any day than a F-35. Hmm speaking of that, perhaps all those blue states made the mistake of going to their usual dealer instead of going across the road to this dealer whom they were enemies during cold war. Since they have the money and want to spend on something worthwhile, they should have gone to get the Su-35 than the F-35.
kwaigonegin
Colonel
I think in the world of secret or not so secret military airplanes we know know one thing to be true. Sometimes these aircrafts turns out to be true, other times it's nothing. Almost every plane from the F-117, F-22 to the Mig 29, PAKFA, J-31, J-20 and beyond has at one point in time some rumor on some print (in the old days) or recently some blog or snippet someone posted.
All we have to do is look at the F-117 which was flying years before anyone ever aw actual pictures or even the J-20. Someone as early as 2004/2005 was already talking about China possibly designing a 5th Gen stealth fighter. Of course they were laughed out of the room... LOL
I guess at the end of the day anything short of actual photos we just have to based our assumptions on our own gut feeling and expertised.
In the case of China, I wouldn't be too surprised. With their massive R & D into military aviation and the fact that they CAN make aircrafts like the J20 and J31 we know they have the ability to continue making new and exiting planes.
In one of the news program that I watched on the youtube (not sure which one now), there is mentioning of the J-18 being an upgraded program of the J-31, whereby its outlook are very much the same as the J-31 (not sure how true that is, since no one actually see a J-18 thus far).
However, as seen, even up till now, most new aircraft (in prototype stages) are powered by Russian engines, although China's engine are very much matured now, and breakthroughs had occured pretty much in all areas, however, the VTOL/ STOL engine might be a totally new area to venture into is totally untouched by the CHinese at this present time, so how mature would that technology actually be?
However, as seen, even up till now, most new aircraft (in prototype stages) are powered by Russian engines, although China's engine are very much matured now, and breakthroughs had occured pretty much in all areas, however, the VTOL/ STOL engine might be a totally new area to venture into is totally untouched by the CHinese at this present time, so how mature would that technology actually be?
Equation
Lieutenant General
True, I don't disagree with you with that, but when you apply the economy of scale once production gets going, the cost of per plane and the project itself over the span of say 20 years will eventually pays off for the total overall initial R & D cost. IMO it's when the project is COMPLETELY stop and no more money coming in for production or research, then it become a waste and a failure. Otherwise the F-35 project is still going as of now.
Absolutely none whatsoever.
Franticfrank
New Member
This doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Look at the stealthy Blackhawks used by the United States. Nobody had heard of these aircraft until the OBL raid. If that first aircraft didn't crash, leaving its tail section on the wrong side of the wall, we'd all be none the wiser. We still don't know what that looks like or how many aircraft are in service.
However, if the Chinese did successfully produce a STOVL aircraft rivalling the F-35, it would be such an impressive feat of engineering that I'm sure it would be shown off. Look at how difficult the Yak-141 proved for the Russians and the F-35 is proving for the US and its partners.
And exactly that makes it more than unlikely ! They are struggeling with the WS-13, they had long issues with the WS-10, the WS-15 is still under development as well as several other powerplants not to speak of a high-bypass engine and with all this in mind You expect an operational VSTOL-engine for a "secret" fighter ready ????
Sorry, but here we will need to wait much longer ....