But per multiple insiders this is an actual overhaul that's not limited to the nozzle (off the top of my head I remember that 齐天孙猴 was the first one I noticed to talk about this variant as WS-10CXX last year).
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
If this WS-10C2 uses the same intake geometry as the WS-15 which has higher mass flow wouldn't it mean that this engine likely have a larger, more advanced core hence be could represent a significant redesign. This IMO is odd considering these engines likely cannot be retrofitted to older J-20s due to requiring different intake geometry but will also be replaced very soon by WS-15, so why spend all this time and effort to build a dozen or so specially made engines that will be replaced anyways.
It would help if we have an idea as to which direction the C2 heads. But we don't.
Likeliest explanation why ws-10c2 exists is that ws-15 is not necessarily just around the corner, contrary to that we anticipated.
Otherwise it'll be a parade armata batch. Not impossible (first J-20s flew on AL-31s, too), but there are clearly reservations about ws-15 readiness. It's birth was long and troubled, PLAAF needs(and apparently invoked) fallback option.
Otherwise it'll be a parade armata batch. Not impossible (first J-20s flew on AL-31s, too), but there are clearly reservations about ws-15 readiness. It's birth was long and troubled, PLAAF needs(and apparently invoked) fallback option.
IMO, I couldn't care more about WS-15 right now but more concerned about next gen VCE engines and the overall maturity of the industry. 6th generation aircraft are much more dependent on engines than previous generations if China can't even get its F-135 technology equivelent in service by 2025(and possibly delayed for a few extra years past 2025) than it means Chinese aeroengine industry is still much behind and is still nowhere near parity with the US contrary to what most members previously thought. If true this could mean China might once again lose the race to the US because they'll once again have issues putting proper 6th gen engines into their 6th gen airframes while the US is progressing steadily with their NGAP program. Hence despite PLAAF might put 6th gen aircraft(but with only partial capability due to limited powerplants) into service faster, the US will have fully capable 6th generation aircraft sooner than PLAAF by potentially years. So hopefully this assumption is not true and the next batch will switch to proper WS-15s.
AECC Shenyang is the richest AECC subsidiary. revenue exploded in recent years. the major reason they invested huge sum of money in different projects in which one is STOVL Engine. we have seen patents.
Shenyang still has R&D team on WS-10 Engine. they continuously upgrade engine and production method in order to enhance the efficiency. introduced 3D printed. WS-10 core upgraded in 2021.. seems like they did it again for WS-10XX
According to a recent podcast by Yankeesama even different batches of Taihang used for J-16 can have magnitudes of difference in terms of MTBO and lifespan.
who told you ?? China is at parity with USA in Turbofan Engine. right now China is tier2 Engine manufacturer.
China basically developed all materials and manufacturing process like additive/3D printed for next gen Engines. in this category China can compete with USA.
but advanced turbofan Engine is much more than that. serial production/commercialization is magnitudes levels of complex than produce a prototype. this is where China is struggling right now. but the world largest industrial power/material producer is working on it..
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There are two plus points in China's ACE/VCE programs.
1. these projects started in late 2010's decade when China has sufficient institutional knowledge and established industrial base. WS-10/WS-15/WS-20 didn't have this luxury.
2. ACE/VCE project is divided in between two different AECC Subsidiaries. Shenyang has own program and Sichuan/Xian has own next gen Engine program.
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China will be tier1 Aero engine manufacturer by 2035.. This statement given by Liu Daxiang. father of China's turbofan Engine industry.
We usually consider only UK and USA tier1 players in this industry
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Edit - i just saw a member said, they would have showcase WS-15 in parade if this was ready.. Nope.
this is not our tradition. PLAAF don't show latest/cutting edge equipment in open public spaces. even if WS-15 was ready. they wouldn't showcase. they always go with the safe option for event like this.
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With an event as important as aerial parade of course they are going to go with the safe conservative option. I don’t know how you guys extrapolated that WS-15 is in trouble from this.
Cute Orca said that the WS-15 only needed some "polishing" left. The use of this phrase would mean it's likely just around the corner.
Well, as long as Chinese next gen engines can atleast mostly match US timeline then its good enough for me. I'm hoping WS-15 is the last victim of the lack of industrial base and institutional knowledge as you said and next gen engines would no longer be bottlenecked and could match US counterparts in both timeline and quality.