The retired testing pilot Xu said he tested J20's all directional vector thrust, with integrated flight control. He mentioned how different it is to drive J10. I am assuming he is talking about he tested the simulator, not the actual jet. It is a sign of things to come.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VI
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In what ways was it different?
Here is the video in question.
In the interview, he implied that WS-15 equipped J-20 will use 3D thrust vectoring capable of maneuverability. He also directly stated that many of the pilots who flew the J-20 (test pilot Li Gang and the performers at Zhuhai) are his colleagues and students and that he is very proud of them.
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The way he described is like some high level fly-by-wire that the inputs from the pilot is no longer specifics but the intention, then the jet figure out the best way to achieve the goal then make adjustments on the control surfaces. Sounds just like F-35.
Not necessarily. Before you even fly a test plane with TVC you need to integrate TVC into the FBW software. A simulator can use that code to simulate flying with TVC. It may not be precise, and at the end of the day you will have to adjust the FBW software as you test it in live flight, but it's still a valid simulation. The main takeaway here is that if they're writing FBW software with TVC integration for the J-20, that would suggest the J-20 is intended to have TVC.
The four-ship usual tactical fighting formation in China Air Force ?
Nope. Only for air show/parade. Fighter fighting formations are seldom so close together in combat situations.
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