It feels like beating a dead horse at this point, but there is no way that they are using any WS-10 variant on the J-20.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread V
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It feels like beating a dead horse at this point, but there is no way that they are using any WS-10 variant on the J-20.
I don't think so ... the WS-10's nozzle pedals are shorter. As such these are clearly and as expected AL-31FN series 3 with silver nozzle coating. For me they are exactly the same as on 2016 & 2017 and all others too.
superdog
Junior Member
All J-20 observed so far uses Al-31 series engine. This is confirmed by the shape/size/number of the outer nozzle plates, as they are consistent across all J-20 samples and matches the characteristics of Al-31. You cannot have WS10A/B/x engine with a nozzle like that. WS10 engines use an ejector type nozzle which is structurally different from the convergent–divergent iris nozzle on the Al-31, so you cannot simply put on longer plates that look like Al-31 nozzle on a WS-10 engine. On the other hand, you can easily add shiny coating plates on existing Al-31 engine nozzle, possibly for signature reduction.
We also know it is the Al-31 and not anything else (e.g. WS-15 or some unknown secret engine) because we have evidence from noise spectrum analysis, the peak frequencies are very similar to the Al-31 and different from other fighter engines. Another key evidence is the unique shape of the Al-31's flame stabilizer ring (visible in some J-20 pictures), this is a distinctive feature not seen in other engines.
So for the informed J-20 watchers, there is zero doubt that all current J-20's are using some variant of Al-31. I believe this will continue to be the case until WS-15 is ready.
New high-resolution photos of the J-20 with low visibility roundels... All images are 2048x1546.
According to the latest news from FYJS, there were two J-20s present at Chengdu when these pictures were taken.
Prelude to mass-production?
On another note that explains why the nozzles in the earlier pic looked weird. It was too much noise reduction!New high-resolution photos of the J-20 with low visibility roundels... All images are 2048x1546.
If we assume that if this is LRIP bird flying it seems that its EOTS is not functional yet as of the previous prototypes.
Hard to definitively say, because the pictures are not at a good angle and the quality is poor.
Brumby
Major
Do you have any evidence that the EOTS is functional and what is your definition of functional?
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