J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

[Nx4eu]

It could be possible the new production line is for J20A given they wouldn't want to interrupt current J20 production to slowly start producing J20A's. Although if there were a third, it would be more probable to be the base model, as we haven't seen any signs of the J20A entering service anytime soon.

 

[Gloire_bb]

It could be possible the new production line is for J20A given they wouldn't want to interrupt current J20 production to slowly start producing J20A's.

Why not, and why A should begin slow?
It isn't a new platform.

It isn't wartime for such dedication to smoother transitions.

 

[Nx4eu]

Why not, and why A should begin slow?
It isn't a new platform.

It isn't wartime for such dedication to smoother transitions.

I assumed the A variant may begin slow because WS-15 production might not be fast enough currently to equip a full production lines worth of J20A’s immediately.
Why not J20A? Because we’ve only seen a couple of prototypes for it and we don’t have any other information to suggest the A variant is ready for mass production. So it’s safer to assume if there is a third line, it might just be for the regular J20’s.

 

[Deino]

Are you guys aware of a third J-20 production plant coming online. In 2025 annual production can be around 150 units. I got this info from reddit lol.

In fact we have reports on a third production line already since years ...

By the way, Jane's did this: ... the unidentified AB in Changsha-Ningxiang is the 54th AB

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[Derpy]

In fact we have reports on a third production line already since years ...

By the way, Jane's did this: ... the unidentified AB in Changsha-Ningxiang is the 54th AB

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From the report
"Janes assesses that over 11 months from July 2023 the PLAAF inducted more than 70 J-20s, meaning that the service is operating a total of approximately 195 J-20 aircraft."
They are either unaware or do not recognize Airframe #156 released January 2023, or there is a significant delay between production and entering service.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

In fact we have reports on a third production line already since years ...

By the way, Jane's did this: ... the unidentified AB in Changsha-Ningxiang is the 54th AB

View attachment 132149

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Also according to

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on Twitter, there should be another air brigade with J-20 not shown in this infographic by Janes (the 55th)?

Besides, Janes has awfully missed the long-established memo that the J-20A is actually the variant raised rear canopy hump with WS-15s (which is likely still in its final testing stages, if not entering LRIP), not the J-20 with WS-10Cs and no raised rear canopy hump (which has been in active service since 2016).

 

[siegecrossbow]

Foshan finally getting J-20.

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Photographic proof.

 

[Stealthflanker]

That's just show one can have "all/almost all" Stealth fleet. J-20 Shows good example on risk management/cost reduction and political will of China.

I guess it can be expected that J-20 and J-20S will overtake the J-11 fleet soon, save for some specialized variants like J-16D.

 

[Blitzo]

In fact we have reports on a third production line already since years ...

By the way, Jane's did this: ... the unidentified AB in Changsha-Ningxiang is the 54th AB

View attachment 132149

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I haven't been particularly impressed by Jane's PLA reporting for a long time to be honest.
I'm interested in your review of their "assessment" of numbers.

 

[Stealthflanker]

Kinda curious, does J-20 ever shown with External weapons ? Other than droptanks ?