Only thing I can think of that qualifies would be engine change since they already installed radar and avionics on 2002.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread IV (Closed to posting)
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Only thing I can think of that qualifies would be engine change since they already installed radar and avionics on 2002.
-crosses fingers-
Stealthy engine nozzle, stealthy engine nozzle, stealthy engine nozzle....
I second that.
It seems a bit early for weapons testing though?
Probably. I'm just guessing. "Major modifications" isn't necessarily hardware related is it?
I admit I don't know much about the traditional testing regimen, so I'm curious, aside from engines, what other major components would have to be thoroughly tested before they work on weapons?
Nor should weapons testing require "major modifications". The prototypes are equipped with weapon bays, I expect a gun port with its door is on either side of the cockpit too. Weapons testing will be mostly software rather than hardware.
I think before they can start weapons testing they will need to finalize the testing and software of the FCS and all sensors (radar, EODAS, etc).
I think if it were software related it would be phrased differently, or it even won't be mentioned (how often is software mentioned in military project updates anyway? Usually it's in concert with some significant hardware change)
By weapons testing, are we saying live firings or inert drops?
And as the rigorous flight testing of YF-22 during the ATF program showed, you can still test fire weapons even before all the fine aspects of FCS and mission avionics.
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