J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread V

[SteelBird]

Here is a random question, why are they not mounting mirrors on the canopy frame on the J20?

Before, with the one-piece, there was no place, but with the new bracket, that seems like an obvious place to mount it, so why aren't they mounting it?

Maybe the mirrors might affect stealthy.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Maybe the mirrors might affect stealthy.

Not if they apply a gold film to the canopy.

 

[Blitzo]

Not if they apply a gold film to the canopy.

It might mitigate the degree of of RCS contribution of mirrors, but I don't think we can confidently say it will remove it as an issue.

That's like saying stealthy engine nozzles will make an aircraft's aft aspect stealthy in rf and ir domains when in reality it just helps to mitigate signature more compared to not having it.


As for why J-20 doesn't have mirrors... I think it may be a combination of not that useful + slightly detrimental to rcs + potentially EO PDS replacing its function. I know that F-35's EO DAS can bring up its image on not only the HMD but also I believe on the panoramic LCD display. If J-20's EO PDS is capable of doing so as well, even if it's only the latter function, that could provide a significant replacement and more capable replacement than simply having mirrors, which are probably only able to catch a small part of the aft sector anyhow.

 

[Deino]

 

[Hyperwarp]

78271:

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[plawolf]

I'm not sold on the mirrors being detrimental to RCS line. If mirrors placed inside the canopy can have a detrimental affect on RCS, then there are much greater problems for the plane than whatever RCS mirrors might add, because everything else inside the canopy will also become a RCS spike.

 

[Deino]

J-20A 78274 - 176. Brigade !

 

[siegecrossbow]

Is it just me or is the newer ram paint darker?

 

[kwaigonegin]

J20 was designed mainly for long range strike, OTH engagement. Mirrors was deemed unnecessary. I think you guys are reading waaay too much into it with RCS, gold plated mirrors etc LOL
The pre prod models also had a single piece canopy so even though there is a brace now the mirrors stayed gone... and truth be told that was a wrong excuse anyway. There is NO reason why you can't still put mirrors on polycarbonates or acrylic..
Sometimes things have simple explanations.

 

[Deino]

J20 was designed mainly for long range strike, ....

Never ! The J-20 is a fully fledged aerial superior fighter !