J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII
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by78
General
A better look at the panels in question. The location and the size of the panel in the first image is not symmetrical with the panel in the second image (circled). The panel in the 1st image is larger and located on the shoulder area right next the canard, whereas the panel in the 2nd image is smaller and more forward, and very crucially, it's on the side slope of the central spine area. This means the panel in the 2nd image is probably not where the cannon is located, since it doesn't give a good line of sight. My guess is that the panel in the 1st image is a more likely candidate. To illustrate, I've marked the rough locations of the two panels in the third image.
I've mark the locations of the two panels in the image below:
I've mark the locations of the two panels in the image below:
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I'd expect the actual gun to be mounted closer to the main wing. This appears too forward and might eat into the intake duct.
So still on the shoulder area but further back, around the small LERX right in front of the main wing?
Maybe one is a port for an experimental future system? Micromissile? Laser Dazzler?
No panel with the heavy ram edge on 2021 ? Could it be only a change in manufacture process on 2022 or a doctored image ?2021 with WS-10 engines.
by78
General
These images are allegedly from a facility where tests on J-20's cannon were (successfully) carried out. I didn't share them yesterday because I was skeptical. I'm less skeptical today because I think it's probably more than a coincidence that a new image of J-20 (2022) appears to show an access panel at a prime location where a cannon could be mounted internally.
I've enhanced the first image to highlight what appears to be a test apparatus in the upper-right. It could be used to mount the cannon for test firing.
I've enhanced the first image to highlight what appears to be a test apparatus in the upper-right. It could be used to mount the cannon for test firing.
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I'm thinking the more forward panel (marked green in by78's post) could be for an eventual boom refueling receptacle. The F-15 has one in a similar position, and because the refueling probe of the J-20 is on the same side, the necessary plumbing could be under that spot.
The big "if" is will China, in the first place, go for boom refueling to complement the probe and drogue method.
A dazzler doesn’t need its own bay. If it is a laser then it might be the laser attack pod, but I doubt it since such a weapon would be mounted centrally.
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