J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

Axyan

Just Hatched
Registered Member
In the future, the J-20 is likely to evolve along two distinct technical paths or variants:

One variant, powered by the WS-10C2 engine, will prioritize cruising capability. It will offer extended range but slightly inferior high-speed performance.

The other variant, equipped with the WS-15 engine, will focus on burst power (raw thrust). It will excel in high-altitude, high-speed penetration, albeit with a shorter range.

Existing airframes will be gradually retrofitted with the WS-10C2, while newly manufactured units will primarily feature the WS-15. These two paths will run in parallel and evolve independently.

In 10 to 15 years, when Variable Cycle Engines (VCE) mature, we will see a combination of both advantages—though by then, we will likely be in the era of 6th-generation fighters.
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
In the future, the J-20 is likely to evolve along two distinct technical paths or variants:

One variant, powered by the WS-10C2 engine, will prioritize cruising capability. It will offer extended range but slightly inferior high-speed performance.

The other variant, equipped with the WS-15 engine, will focus on burst power (raw thrust). It will excel in high-altitude, high-speed penetration, albeit with a shorter range.

Existing airframes will be gradually retrofitted with the WS-10C2, while newly manufactured units will primarily feature the WS-15. These two paths will run in parallel and evolve independently.

In 10 to 15 years, when Variable Cycle Engines (VCE) mature, we will see a combination of both advantages—though by then, we will likely be in the era of 6th-generation fighters.
This is really unnecessary when you can just lean on aerial refueling and drop tanks.
 

TK3600

Colonel
Registered Member
Without ws-15, comparison with good old f-22 was very much up in the air.
Raptor had huge combat energy state advantage, defensive and offensive. And, almost certainly, huge power advantage as well(engines designed to a spec). Yes, it is almost certainly not even nearly as networked as J-20; time matters(Motorola RAZR v3 v Huawei mate p30, hah). But it's networked enough between each other for of-ca.
Old radar, new radar - as long as it generates fire solution in time, prima facie it is inconsequential.

I.e. in pure air superiority contest, f-22 is likely still the top dog. It only starts falling below j-20(a) (likely) if we add mission complications where situation complexity outweighs this raw performance.
Which likely still makes J-20A ws-10c superior air superiority unit overall, but it's hard to judge. Performance is performance.

With WS-15 all these points are likely turning moot. Though unlikely to a degree where f-22 will turn uncompetitive in a direct fight.
This comparison between plane only make sense if you compare in a vacuum. Once you factor in supporting assets (favor US) and missile quality (China) things will be different. At minimum, you need to factor in the weapon quality because they need something to shoot with. Whatever earlier J-20 has less than F-22, the PL-16 vs AIM-120 gap will make up for it.
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
This comparison between plane only make sense if you compare in a vacuum. Once you factor in supporting assets (favor US) and missile quality (China) things will be different. At minimum, you need to factor in the weapon quality because they need something to shoot with. Whatever earlier J-20 has less than F-22, the PL-16 vs AIM-120 gap will make up for it.
Think supporting assets favor China now.
 

Blitzo

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Various posts moved to the PLA AEW&C and EW thread

 
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