J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

[DaTang cavalry]

Some people on Weibo said that this was a J-20 fighter jet from the 41st Brigade of the Air Force in Wuyishan, Fujian.

 

[reservior dogs]

Came across this article:

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that bemoans the current state of the F135 engine in the F35 family vs the impending intro of the WZ15 into J20. It is amusing to me that just about a decade ago the common refrain in the Western establishment was whether China can make a fighter jet engine.

There is no way to bring the F135 to the level of the WS-15. The technology of the F135 was the same as the F-119 for the F-22. To have higher power means they simply increase the bypass ratio. The engine is not capable of higher speed due to the higher bypass ratio compared to the F-119 and the WS-15.

 

[vaguba]

if only the f-35 was a two engine design instead of one!!!

 

[CrazyHorse]

if only the f-35 was a two engine design instead of one!!!

It would use a shit ton of fuel. On the other hand, it could maybe go Mach 3+, since it’s engines are more powerful than those on the mig-25

 

[Blitzo]

Let's avoid straying off topic.

That article about F-35 and J-20 was at best marginally relevant to the thread. Other comments following it are less relevant.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

US has accepted delivery of 36 F-35s, from mid July to mid September. Early July is when the deliveries resumed after a lengthy hiatus. Of course, 36 planes per approximately 60 days is not indicative of future delivery pace, as it's sure that part of those were backlog planes.

Because of the backlog and development issues, the 2025 procurement plan (that is, planes to be delivered in 2027 or so) calls for just 42 f35a for USAF. SAR document from December 2023 suggests longer term procurement for DoD to be 42 for USAF for the few years then 48 per year until end of program. And some 25 or so for DoN and then under 40 per year until end of program. (2035 for DoN)

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The document also states that USAF in 2024 is projected to have 467 F-35A in its inventory. DoN will have 169 B models and 121 C models. So the US is currently at roughly 760 airframes. Including the F-22, that's roughly 940 stealthy fighter jets.
China is currently at, what, 250 or 300 ?
And is adding some 100+ per year while US is adding some 70 or so per year?
And will plausibly be adding 120+ per year soon while US currently plans to top out at 80 or so per year?

Somewhere between ~300 and ~350 J-20s by the end of this year is certainly a feasible estimate, assuming that estimated annual production rate at Chengdu AC remains constant from last year (~100 airframes).

 

[siegecrossbow]

Somewhere between ~300 and ~350 J-20s by the end of this year is certainly feasible, assuming that estimated annual production rate at Chengdu remains constant from last year (~100 airframes).

They are switching to J-20A very soon. Rumor has it that the 9th brigade will be switching to J-20A.

 

[sunnymaxi]

They are switching to J-20A very soon. Rumor has it that the 9th brigade will be switching to J-20A.

WS-15 serial production is about to start so yeah very much possible.

 

[Miyayaya]

Somewhere between ~300 and ~350 J-20s by the end of this year is certainly a feasible estimate, assuming that estimated annual production rate at Chengdu AC remains constant from last year (~100 airframes).

There is still a difference between how many are produced vs how many are in service right

 

[tphuang]

They are switching to J-20A very soon. Rumor has it that the 9th brigade will be switching to J-20A.

So basically, we are getting to J-20A about 5 years before F-35 gets to block 4.

Guess what, having a larger aircraft makes upgrades easier.