J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VI

[Xizor]

The implication from the image is that the side weapons bays are longer than previously believed, i.e, there's space between the side weapons bay and the landing gear that could have a missile stuffed in it. Or, in other words, once the first missile has been fired, a second missile could be reaffixed to the launch rail.

Here's a shot of the landing gear on the J-20 in relation to the side weapons bay:

Doesn't seem like there is any space at all.

 

[plawolf]

For BVRAAMs, ejection launch works since the missiles would typically be launched at long range, when the launch aircraft can afford to fly straight and level.

For WVRAAMs, often (maybe even usually), the launch aircraft would be pulled extreme gs and flying through extremely turbulent airflow if the launch aircraft is on the tail of a hostile and flying through their jet wash.

Under such extreme and unfavourable conditions, ejection launch carries an unacceptably high chance of launch failure, as it would be impossible to be able to calibrate the force of ejection to match the vast array of possible launch conditions.

That is why even with LOAL capability, WVRAAMs still need to be rail launched.

And there lies the engineering challenge, as it’s not just about fitting another missile in the bay, you also need a way to fit it on a launch rail.

With LOAL, you don’t need the launch rail itself to be outside of the aircraft, but you do need clearance for the missile to boost out of the bay under its own power.

In addition to a secondary launch rail attached to the weapon bay door, another possibility would be a canted secondary rail, similar to the raptors, but the rail and missile would both be buried inside that launch bay thanks to LOAL. But the difficulty with that would be how the missile can clear the bay and not hit the weapons bay door while staying within the J20’s footprint.

My thinking is that the second missile and rail could be stored above the first missile, but both would be canted slightly outwards, and sit on a downwards extendable hydraulic arm(s), which can be one way to save on weight and complexity.

So, first set of missiles deploy outwards on the swing rails, after which the hydraulic arms drop the second set of missiles down into the space vacated by the first set of missiles.

The arms can be different lengths, to create a secondary downwards cant, so the missile is pointing outwards and slightly downwards to help clear the weapon bay doors.

After the second set of missiles are launched, the empty swing rails can swing back, and the plane can return to full stealth configuration.

 

[Air Force Brat]

In a video game sure, in real life that’s pure Fantasy.
If you ever have seen a missile or even a bomb loaded on a fighter this isn’t how it works.
A number of wired connections are needed. You would need a dozen robot arms to even try.

it’s not practical. As such until we see a J20 with a second missile in the side bay might as well disregard it.

Its not only impractical, but borders on the impossible? Once again we see a lack of understanding of aircraft structure in general, and packaging specifically? Fighter aircraft are very tightly packaged, and in spite of the J-20's status as a heavy fighter, it was designed to carry 4 long range air to air missiles in the main bay, and 1 short range air to air missile in each side bay!

Adding another missile in each side bay would require a complete and total redesign of almost every element with in the center fuselage and add a ton or two of needless weight and complexity, in short, its NOT going to happen.

The idea of increasing capacity is a relatively new idea, at the J-20's inception, its current internal load out was the standard, and likely still is? adding additional weapons to the F-35's main bay is a function of its operation far away from home, and the impracticality of reloading and flying another sortie..... it had been envisioned very early on. It will also add weight and additional complexity, not always a good thing in a fighter aircraft!

 

[by78]

Re-posting some lost high-resolution images.

 

[by78]

 

[by78]

 

[Bhurki]

How far off is serial production ?
Also, could it initiate even without ws 15 integration?

 

[Xizor]

How far off is serial production ?
Also, could it initiate even without ws 15 integration?

Serial production seems to be a reality. It isn't supposedly as fast as peak F-35 production OR peak F-22 production ( 2 per month). It isn't as slow as Tejas production either. A definitive no of planes produced isn't available it seems.

J-20 can fly without the WS-15. It could initiate without the ideal engines. Many fighter jets have been in that situation.

 

[by78]

More high-resolution images.

 

[Inst]

I'm just pointing out what the cartoon seems to illustrate, that the missile is tucked behind the first missile in the side weapons bay.

The logic underlying it would be that if you look at the other pictures shown, the DSI and serpentine duct is putting some volume constraints on where front missiles can be placed. One way to get around it would be to have missiles tucked behind the side weapons bay.