J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread IV (Closed to posting)

[tphuang]

using J-10 program as the analagous, 2001, 2002 + static prototypes might be the 1001 to 1009 of J-10s. It took J-10s a while to get past that until the pre-production prototypes of 1013 to 1016 came out.

We have at least 4 J-20 pre-production protoypes now and maybe a couple of more will come out (2016 and 2017). Either, that's enough for them to do all the flight tests. If they don't find any major problems and I presume that to be the case based on these new prototypes. They might make some smaller changes based on testing of this batch.

Just remember, they still have the engine issue to sort out. I'm assuming these ones are all using the same engines as J-10Bs.

 

[Jeff Head]

Just remember, they still have the engine issue to sort out. I'm assuming these ones are all using the same engines as J-10Bs.

Agreed...but if the engines are not near completion and readiness, they may go into LRIP with the existing engines.

There's plenty of historical precedent for that from other programs around the world.

 

[Deino]

Found a slightly better image of the J-20's radar testbed ...

 

[no_name]

Found a slightly better image of the J-20's radar testbed ...

I think second part shows not only the nose radar, but maybe other sensor/radar that will be fitted on the J-20 (like on the lerx, front wing edge and at the back of the plane near the engine).

 

[latenlazy]

Well, if the Chinese BBS post you have posed over at CDF was correct, then it did say 2015 was doing ground testing in an airport South-West of China on 17th Dec, one day before its reported maiden flight on 18th Dec. That to me indicates Chengdu.

Southwest China is pretty big, and that airfield does not look like CAC to me (but I could be wrong...)

I poo poo-ed the stories about an earlier IOC than 2018, and I may just have to eat my words on this one.

 

[Skywatcher]

Looks like the USCC folks were right about this (they also said the J-31 would enter IOC in 2017-2019 too).

 

[latenlazy]

Looks like the USCC folks were right about this (they also said the J-31 would enter IOC in 2017-2019 too).

They updated their projections, but I'm still doubtful about the J-31.

 

[tphuang]

Looks like the USCC folks were right about this (they also said the J-31 would enter IOC in 2017-2019 too).

don't know what USCC folks said, but Chinese sources have always said 2017 to 2019.

Again, if it goes into service before WS-15 becomes ready, you end up with engine of 13.5 to 14.5 tons of thrust instead of 17.5 ton. That's a huge difference.

 

[antiterror13]

don't know what USCC folks said, but Chinese sources have always said 2017 to 2019.

Again, if it goes into service before WS-15 becomes ready, you end up with engine of 13.5 to 14.5 tons of thrust instead of 17.5 ton. That's a huge difference.

Yes ... and they may have to sacrifice the range by reducing the fuel on board to compensate less thrust or perhaps carry less weapons

Is it possible to replace the "old" engine (e.g AL-31) later on to the newer and more powerful WS-15?

 

[AssassinsMace]

Not sure if PSed. No ventral fins?

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