J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Seems like Cute Orca has, once again, implying that the annual production rate of J-20 has reached (or will be reaching) 100+ units. Nothing new, and it's not from Yang Wei's video either:
I do wonder if there are new PLAAF airbases and squadrons being established in the meantime?
I do wonder if there are new PLAAF airbases and squadrons being established in the meantime?
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In fact I can only repeat myself? PLA OPSEC must be very good these days since the last new unit identified was the 8th AB identified in October 2022. So given this high production rate almost 100 J-20s more - or representing at least 3 if not 4 more units - must be flying somewhere out there and besides some rumours concerning the 55th, 97th, 131st and the 41st or 4th ABs we know in fact nothing.
(Subsequent addition to initial post moved to new, following post)
Though, Ayi seems to suggest that the J-20 production rate will slow down once the twin-seater and WS-15 variants enter serial production:
... which, sounds rather odd, considering how they have worked so hard on the WS-15, which is tailor-made for the J-20.
Indeed.
Though, Ayi seems to suggest that the J-20 production rate will slow down once the twin-seater and WS-15 variants enter serial production:
... which, sounds rather odd, considering how they have worked so hard on the WS-15, which is tailor-made for the J-20.
How to access this from outside china
Any suggestions, thanks
How likely is it that current J-20s will be re-engined with the WS-15? Given the large number of J-20s already built it would seem awkward to have an F-14A-like situation, even if re-engined J-20s don't reach the capability of new build J-20As. The Russians specified that the izd.30 (AL-51F1) should be a drop-in replacement for the AL-41F1, wonder if that's the case with the WS-15 too.
One more from Yang Wei's video:
Also, regarding on how to refer the J-20 in terms of generation:
Personally, I'm going for the present international consensus, i.e. J-10, J-11, J-15 & J-16 as 4th-gens; J-20 & J-35 as 5th-gens; 6DJ-XX (& 6DJ-XY) as 6th-gen(s).
Also, regarding on how to refer the J-20 in terms of generation:
Personally, I'm going for the present international consensus, i.e. J-10, J-11, J-15 & J-16 as 4th-gens; J-20 & J-35 as 5th-gens; 6DJ-XX (& 6DJ-XY) as 6th-gen(s).
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Maybe they'll have to slow down the production rate of J-20A because they can't produce WS-15 engines fast enough. I imagine it would take a long time for the WS-15 production rate to go from LRIP to 300+ per year.
That's what I find to be odd.
Given the geopolitical landscape of present and in the near future (at least towards the end of this decade), shouldn't Chengdu be maintaining the production rate of the J-20s?
Given that Chengdu is already capable of procuring 100x J-20s per year right now, that means the AECC can produce at least 200 WS-10Cs per year too. Simply put, production capacity isn't the issue here.
Coupled with the above geopolitical development, shouldn't Chengdu be able to maintain the similar J-20 production rates, while working in conjuction with AECC to gradually replace the WS-10C production lines with WS-15 production lines (and hence, J-20 production lines with J-20A production lines)?
Of course, there could be other factors at play, such as the introduction of J-35A(?) into PLAAF service which can alleviate the number of J-20s needed by the PLAAF; and/or the number of squadrons in the PLAAF deemed necessary for conversion to the J-20 declining over the years; and/or the anticipation of the 6DJ-XX and loyal wingman UCAVs that should enter service with the PLAAF by the 2030s - Any or all of which can certainly impact the scale of procurement of the J-20 by the PLAAF.
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