^ Wouldn't shortening the missile and reducing the diameter of the missile be easier to achieve? AIM-120 is about 15mm shorter than PL-12 with a diameter that is 23 mm smaller than PL-12 (180mm vs 203mm). I guess it all depends on China's propellant research. AIM-120 packs about the same power in a volume that's only about 80% of PL-12's.
Thanks for the explanation. I now appreciate why people are obsessed with those vortices. One more question though. All that condensation means that the temperature within the vortices is significantly lower, thus condensing the water vapor. Is this because of the significantly lowered pressure, as described in the Ideal Gas Law (pv=nrt)?
^ Wouldn't shortening the missile and reducing the diameter of the missile be easier to achieve? AIM-120 is about 15mm shorter than PL-12 with a diameter that is 23 mm smaller than PL-12 (180mm vs 203mm). I guess it all depends on China's propellant research. AIM-120 packs about the same power in a volume that's only about 80% of PL-12's.
With all the excellent photos coming out, I can't see much space for hardpoints under the wings, for either external fuel tanks or weapons. While these protrusions reduce stealthiness, they can be useful from a day-to-day perspective.Generally speaking, I think there has been enough of a chorus among various big shrimps over the last day or so essentially confirming that J-20 can only hold four PL-15s. I think that makes any debate over whether there might possibly be just enough space between the two missiles for a third to be squeezed in if XYZ was done, to essentially be fruitless.
At this point, I think J-20 carrying 4 PL-15s internally at a maximum should essentially be considered a done deal.
J-20 will probably sooner rather than later be able to carry 6 BVRAAMs internally, but that will be with a new missile.
With all the excellent photos coming out, I can't see much space for hardpoints under the wings, for either external fuel tanks or weapons. While these protrusions reduce stealthiness, they can be useful from a day-to-day perspective.
We’ve already seen the J-20 with two drop tanks per wing before.With all the excellent photos coming out, I can't see much space for hardpoints under the wings, for either external fuel tanks or weapons. While these protrusions reduce stealthiness, they can be useful from a day-to-day perspective.