Oh I absolutely agree that it's a matter of degree. Or rather, since I think I'm reasonable in assuming that Boeing engineers are NOT total incompetents, it's possibly more a matter of much ado about nothing. Or at least nothing of significance.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread IV (Closed to posting)
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
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From gambit's standpoint (or my presumption of it anyways), it would be easy to argue that Boeing can make allowances for the canards because the design doesn't have tails.
He would have to prove that being tailless decreases RCS in the same directions that canards increase them, otherwise I would not be so quick to let that argument slide.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
The paint/RAM coating appears to be semi-reflective to visible light, so more than any other fighter with traditional paint, J20 2011's skin tone will be affected by light and cloud conditions as well as the angle the shot was taken from relative to the aircraft and probably also the altitude the plane was when the shot was taken and what is around it at that moment.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
Because the current engine configuration is only an interium solution and will be subject to major changes and modifications once the WS15 is ready and available.
There is little point in putting a lot of time and effort into making the current engines perfectly integrated with the airframe when those engines will be different in the production aircraft.
I think the main reason 2011 has put more effort into shielding the engines is because it will likely be the initial production version.
2001 and other first batch prototypes were never going to be operationally deployed, so it didn't matter so much about getting every last detail perfect. CAC were far more interested in testing and validating the aerodynamics and overall stealth shaping and getting the bird flying ASAP for the first prototypes.
It's the same with any programme including the F22 and F35.
The absence of the vertical stabs falls under rule 1: QUANTITY of radiators.
On a complex body, everything is a contributor to final RCS, by that I mean literally everything that can be exposed to impinging radar signals at any time. From the smallest panel imperfection to the pilot himself. So if the design does not call for major structures like the vertical stabs, if everything else on the aircraft have been subjected to the same intensity of standalone radar measurement, then of course there will be two less contributors to final RCS.
If we take the B-2 and have DIRECT radar bombardment on either top or underside, then the absence of the vertical stabs is irrelevant. But it is extremely rare that any seeking radar will have that situation so from that perspective, any major protrusions will contribute to the aircraft's EM visibility when said protrusions are exposed to radar signals.
Guys ... we already habe a special tread where to discuss earodynamics, RCS, materials and so on ... this tread if for the J-20 and even if I do like a few side-steps now and then, now we are too much far-off from the J-20.
So please continue here:
http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/air-force/aerodynamics-thread-31-5907.html
Deino
So please continue here:
http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/air-force/aerodynamics-thread-31-5907.html
Deino
danielchin
Junior Member
Another photo from the latest test flight. She's at her most svelte and photogenic on a bright and sunny day.
2048x1360
and the shadow cast on the runway looks awesome!
vesicles
Colonel
Must be high noon! Cue the Western movie music, tumbling weed and the sound of cowboy boots...
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