J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

[Alfa_Particle]

If it is true that WS-15 in service, China has one of the most advanced turbofan engines for military, perhaps only USA has a better engine on F-35

Whoa, hold. The actual FRP of the WS-15 J-20A ≠ operational service. There's usually a slight delay between the two milestones.

Also, the F135 isn't technologically more advanced...

Not maiden flight, it goes super sonic, very loud

A slight nudge on the throttle is enough for you to rip past the sound barrier

Depends what you mean by maiden flight by the way. Maiden flight of a production airframe fresh off the line ≠ maiden flight of said type of airframe.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

In this case, hopefully the subsequent prototype units of the J-36 and J-XDS/50 will get the WS-15 engines too. The sooner, the better.

The thing is, better to get both 6th-gens ready for service with WS-15s as soon as possible. Worry about the ACE/VCE-based WS-XX later.

 

[qwerty3173]

WS15 in its current form has almost exactly the same total air intake and compression ratio (around 30) with the F135. However, it has a larger engine core airflow, resulting in both a much lower bypass ratio and a much lower kerosene-to-air burn ratio, which exchanges subsonic fuel efficiency and zero speed thrust for supersonic thrust and more free room for high speed ram heating before turbine failure. One can confidently say that technology wise WS15 is at parity with F135, just optimized for supersonic rather than subsonic flight.

 

[Squadson]

Here is the full video:

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[Tomboy]

WS15 in its current form has almost exactly the same total air intake and compression ratio (around 30) with the F135.

Do you have a source on this? I thought the YWH core was the old WS-15.

 

[Tomboy]

View attachment 166975

This new J-20"A" seems to have some minor external change like there are now black tape on joint between the control surfaces and main wing compared to WS-10C2 powered J-20A.

 

[Alfa_Particle]

Apparently, the first production J-20A with WS-15 has taken its first flight today.
View attachment 166972
View attachment 166973
View attachment 166974

May or may not be from today:
View attachment 166975

Of course, no explicit confirmation as always. It's just a rumour after all but I thought I might as well just post it for archival purposes given multiple credible guys (Orca also made a vaguepost about it) have said something.

There were allegedly as much as 6 production airframes with WS-15 flying, per a Chengdu local.

 

[sequ]

We can safely say that the J-20A with WS-15 is currently the best fighter aircraft in the world, at least on paper.

 

[sunnymaxi]

In this case, hopefully the subsequent prototype units of the J-36 and J-XDS/50 will get the WS-15 engines too. The sooner, the better.

The thing is, better to get both 6th-gens ready for service with WS-15s as soon as possible. Worry about the ACE/VCE-based WS-XX later.

single WS-15 Engine production can accommodate three different airframes obviously with little modification for J-36/J-XDS. it will slash down logistics burden and cost.

so we are heading towards this direction.

i believe the establish WS-15 supply chain will hugely benefit ACE/VCE Engine.. this machine won't suffer WS-15 like delay. i would say, this is the biggest news in recent months.

 

[latenlazy]

If it is true that WS-15 in service, China has one of the most advanced turbofan engines for military, perhaps only USA has a better engine on F-35

WS-15 should actually be better than the F135. Lower bypass than the F-135 but expanded performance envelope relative to the F119. Suggests the cycle architecture is better.