J-20... The New Generation Fighter III

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Blitzo

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I know this has been brought up before BUT does PLAAF only have 2001 example? usually with the USAF or even most AF you have more than 1 example doing during trials etc! I find it odd that they only have a single plane doing all of the testing

Well it's not been a year since the first flight yet, and most prototype aircraft only have a second flying test article sometime in the second year.

The way CAC does it is that they have their second test airframe under go static tests (no flying) and their third one (second flying prototype) is usually equipped with most/full avionics. But we've all heard rumours about how there was a second "2001" J-20 prototype.

So basically the fact there is only one flying prototype at the moment is not odd, and they will have more as the years go on. But I would not be surprised to learn if there is another flying prototype trialling from a desert air field.
 

siegecrossbow

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Well it's not been a year since the first flight yet, and most prototype aircraft only have a second flying test article sometime in the second year.

The way CAC does it is that they have their second test airframe under go static tests (no flying) and their third one (second flying prototype) is usually equipped with most/full avionics. But we've all heard rumours about how there was a second "2001" J-20 prototype.

So basically the fact there is only one flying prototype at the moment is not odd, and they will have more as the years go on. But I would not be surprised to learn if there is another flying prototype trialling from a desert air field.

You mean something like 2001 doing the show run for the fanboys at Chengdu while 2003 does the neat stuff at China's Area 51 base?
 

Blitzo

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You mean something like 2001 doing the show run for the fanboys at Chengdu while 2003 does the neat stuff at China's Area 51 base?

Kind of?
I was more expressing the idea that there could be two J-20s designated 2001, it seems a bit early for 2003?
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
Re: J-20 Mighty Dragon (August 5, 2011 pictures - continued)

PlzH3.jpg

Up-close view of J-20 being towed around Chengdu test facility.

[Note: Thank you to HouShanghai for the pictures.]

Hey look, another aircraft tow image we can use to get a length estimate!
 

defaultuser1

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I just noticed that the tails are both canted inwards (or outwards?) -- and it is during landing as well. Is this evidence that the aircraft can use its all moving tails as airbrakes as some people have speculated?
I doubt it, because during the landings it still uses parachutes to brake. The F-22 uses aerodynamic braking during landing.
 

Blitzo

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I doubt it, because during the landings it still uses parachutes to brake. The F-22 uses aerodynamic braking during landing.

The fact that a drag parachute is being used on an aircraft which also uses control surfaces to brake does not make the latter not an airbrake...
What's the F-22 got to do with this? :confused:
 

Blitzo

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any information can J20 do any supercruise?

Not yet, but when the WS-15 engine is installed the expectation is yes.
Supercruise is an unwavering demand from the PLAAF.
 
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