J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
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Lockhead can produce 140 F-35 per year，how many J-20 can CAC produce？
I think we dont know currently what is the status. I think from the serials and pictures the consensus was about 12 per year with Russian engines. I think after change to ws-10 in 2019 we don't have many estimations for current production rate.
lcloo
Captain
I guess 24 to 36 per year (one batch) would be a good estimate for J20A with WS-10C engine.
Service serial numbers with photo evidence from Huitong's Chinese Militart Aviation site:
78X7X has 8 J20, (78271 to 78278)
7803X has 4 J20A, (78031 to 78034)
7823X has 4 J20,
62X0X has 27 J20 (most likely 28, in multiple of 4 aircraft per unit)
Total estimated with photo evidence: 40 X J20, and 4 X J20A.
However, Huitong said two batches of J20A has already entered PLAAF service, my estimated would be 1st batch has 4 to 12 J20A, 2nd batches has 24 to 36. Thus my estimated minimum is 28 X J20A, and maximum 48 X J20A.
Peak production rate can be expected when WS-15 engine comes on line.
If they build 50 a year then the CAC would have to suspend J-10C/JF-17 production.
The single unit cost of F-35 continue to go down as production volume goes up，so China has to ramp up production in order to lower cost.
But I agree that currently China's jet fighter production capacity is constrained by engine to some degree. Domestic engines are still undergoing fine-tuning and optimization, different batchs have incremental improvement.
But I agree that currently China's jet fighter production capacity is constrained by engine to some degree. Domestic engines are still undergoing fine-tuning and optimization, different batchs have incremental improvement.
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