plawolf
Lieutenant General
I think all this debate on whether or not the J20 underpowered (and there is no doubt in my mind the with the AL31 it is) kinda misses the point.
The key matter at the heart of this debate isn't so much the facts, since there is little dispute in that regard, rather, the main thing we are all interested in is whether the powerplant shortcoming will delay the J20's service entry date.
In this respect, I think we have more than enough past examples to make a determination.
The PLA in general, and PLAAF in particular, have shown time and again that they are willing to accept less than perfect results so long as they get decent hardware that is significantly better than what they are using now time and again.
The J10A, Z10, Type99 tank and 052C DDGs are just some examples. All have their shortcomings, yet all were put into production as-is rather than have the entire projects delayed until the perfected examples with all the bells and whistles were ready.
I see no reason why the J20 would be any different.
The J20 without WS15 would not be operating at its full potential or capacity. But does that really matter in the short run?
The primary role of the J20 when it is first operationally deployed will be in DACT as blue force aggressors to help develop tactics and strategies to counter enemy stealth fighters with the PLAAF's conventional fighter fleet. Any shortcomings in the J20 could easily be addressed with ROE restrictions on Red Force pilots and/or favourable boosts to Blue Force J20s to simulate would it would be like if they were operating with WS15s.
If a conflict does suddenly develop, even underpowered with with a non-stealth optimised rear aspect, the J20 still brings capabilities to the table that no other PLAAF, or anyone other than the US, jet can approach. Opening options simply not available with anything else.
Based on that, I don't think the PLAAF will wait for the WS15.
I believe they will set the pace based on how fast CAC can make the bird operational. Of the WS15 can match that timetable, fantastic, if not, the PLAAF will take the first J20s with AL31s and upgrade them with WS15s later.
The key matter at the heart of this debate isn't so much the facts, since there is little dispute in that regard, rather, the main thing we are all interested in is whether the powerplant shortcoming will delay the J20's service entry date.
In this respect, I think we have more than enough past examples to make a determination.
The PLA in general, and PLAAF in particular, have shown time and again that they are willing to accept less than perfect results so long as they get decent hardware that is significantly better than what they are using now time and again.
The J10A, Z10, Type99 tank and 052C DDGs are just some examples. All have their shortcomings, yet all were put into production as-is rather than have the entire projects delayed until the perfected examples with all the bells and whistles were ready.
I see no reason why the J20 would be any different.
The J20 without WS15 would not be operating at its full potential or capacity. But does that really matter in the short run?
The primary role of the J20 when it is first operationally deployed will be in DACT as blue force aggressors to help develop tactics and strategies to counter enemy stealth fighters with the PLAAF's conventional fighter fleet. Any shortcomings in the J20 could easily be addressed with ROE restrictions on Red Force pilots and/or favourable boosts to Blue Force J20s to simulate would it would be like if they were operating with WS15s.
If a conflict does suddenly develop, even underpowered with with a non-stealth optimised rear aspect, the J20 still brings capabilities to the table that no other PLAAF, or anyone other than the US, jet can approach. Opening options simply not available with anything else.
Based on that, I don't think the PLAAF will wait for the WS15.
I believe they will set the pace based on how fast CAC can make the bird operational. Of the WS15 can match that timetable, fantastic, if not, the PLAAF will take the first J20s with AL31s and upgrade them with WS15s later.
