J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread V

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Richard Santos

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Bltizo said:
it appears to have factory primer applied over the whole thing, meaning we can't tell how much of it is actually made of composites underneath (we were able to partially tell for the first pictures of J-11D, initially when we had photos of it in flight, as well as for initial pictures of the first J-10B prototype)

Still, good to see clear photos. I'm surprised the Air Force is letting these out tbh.
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The nose radome, the tips and the leading and trailing edges of the of the rudders are clearly not painted, as are the hexagonal panels in front of the serial number. This suggest all dielectric panels on the plane are undisguised.

So I don't think they covered the plane with primer out of cunning calculation for secrecy about which part of the plane is composite. My guess is most of the outer surface of the plane is composite, as befitting of a fighter designed after 2000. Where the dielectric panels are and what shape they are reveals what type of radar the plane has in addition to the main one in the nose. This would reveal more about the role and capability of the plane than what parts are composite.
 
Blitzo

Blitzo

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Richard Santos said:
The nose radome, the tips and the leading and trailing edges of the of the rudders are clearly not painted, as are the hexagonal panels in front of the serial number. This suggest all dielectric panels on the plane are undisguised.
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Yes, I didn't write "the whole thing except the relevant avionics fairings". That said I wasn't sure if adding that remark would be accurate, as I myself am still not fully sure if the dielectric panels are ultimately even painted over once the rest of the aircraft is painted (it seems like many of the panels remain unprinted). So I made the assumption that by "whole thing" and "factory primer" a reader would get the gist that it was the overall structure of the aircraft where primer would be relevant (aka not the avionics fairings with dielectric panels).

Just for clarification.


So I don't think they covered the plane with primer out of cunning calculation for secrecy about which part of the plane is composite. My guess is most of the outer surface of the plane is composite, as befitting of a fighter designed after 2000. Where the dielectric panels are and what shape they are reveals what type of radar the plane has in addition to the main one in the nose. This would reveal more about the role and capability of the plane than what parts are composite.
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I wasn't suggesting they were intending to hide the composite parts of the aircraft or anything like that, merely stating that the primer means we won't be able to see it.
 
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taxiya

Brigadier
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Quickie said:
You may still have got it right on this part, save the actual painting material. The thick yellow primer, as opposed to the thin yellow primer that CAC normally uses, may as well meant to hide the stuffs beneath it.
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Thanks for that.
Yes, I think that part may still be right. I have seen a similar post in another forum regarding the full yellow J-20 saying the same thing about concealment. It compared with J-10's mixed yellow and green (composite) paint.
 
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tidalwave

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Obviously, the procurement of SU35 serves as a Jolt, so No time to fool around anymore.
They also need to step the effort on WS15 as well to go with this plane.

If they slack off, another 12 or 24 SU35 maybe purchased.
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

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More amazing, and very steady progress by the PLAAF on their J-20, fifth generation aircraft.

Congrats and kudos to them.

In January 2011, we had the 1st aircraft fly. Here's the history of the first nine aircraft.

2001 - January 11, 2011 first flight
2002 - May 2012, second prototype first flight
2011 - March 1, 2014, 3rd prototype first flight
2012 - July 26, 2014, 4th prototype first flight
2014 - November 28, 2014 5th prototype first flight
2015 - December 19, 2014 6th prototype 1st flight
2016 - September 2015, 7th prototype flies
2017 - November 2015, 8th prototype flies
2101 - December 2015, 9th aircraft unveiled and tested. (May be 1st production aircraft)

This is GREAT progress.

To accomplish this in much progress in five years is very impressive and the PRC is showing off its capability in bringing advanced aircraft forward. What the US Defense Secretary foolishly said in 2010 would not even be initially introduced until 2020, for initial operational capability perhaps by the 2026-2027 time period is being eclipsed...totally..

One has to expect initial production has started, and that handing aircraft over to the PLAAF to work them up to IOC will begin...perhaps in 2016, for an IOC date now as early as late 2017! They are going to come in nine or ten years earlier than forecast by the US SECDEF.

Embarassing...but not wholly unexpected for this particular US administration IMHO.

But amazing and well worth praise for this PRC administration.

Again, kudos and congratulations for amazing achievements here by the PRC.
 
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