J-20... The New Generation Fighter

siegecrossbow said:

Very real possibility. What is your opinion on the potential export of F-22s to, let's say, Japan?

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Possible...but not until the issue of more for the USAF is settled. A new congress may well take up that issue. Maybe starting in 2011, but certainly in 2013 IMHO if the 2012 elections are a reflection of the 2010.

kwaigonegin said:

hhmmmm dude.. do I need to lend you my glasses? right off the bat you can see the canopy and tailplane being totally different!

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Dude, that thing in the hanger is the Mitsubishi ATD-X mock up.

New high speed taxi pics, seems the first flight is near:

Jeff Head said:

One of the unintended consequences of the PLAAF showing off this taxi test (which is still years in advance of actual full production of the aircraft) of the J-20 is that the incoming congress in the US, which is much more conservative, and will probably even get more so in 2012, may be moved to restore funding for more F-22s.

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I agree that the seemingly accelerated introduction of the J-20 will evoke a defensive response/reaction from the United States defense establishment, with one likely response a consideration of re-starting F-22 production.

So, now, please explain to those of us that don't practice "voodoo economics" precisely how spending more federal funds on an incredibly expensive product in what will surely be an inflationary financial environment qualifies as "conservatism".

From your assessment, I can only logically interpret your use of the adjective "conservative" as being referent to cultural ideologies and certainly not fiscal policies or practices.

Hell, maybe the United States can borrow the money to finance the F-22 from China! Selling the PBC another trillion dollars in US Treasuries would -most certainly- put the United States in a dominant geoplitical position going forth.

Jeff Head said:

One of the unintended consequences of the PLAAF showing off this taxi test (which is still years in advance of actual full production of the aircraft) of the J-20 is that the incoming congress in the US, which is much more conservative, and will probably even get more so in 2012, may be moved to restore funding for more F-22s. Which I believe, for the US is a very good thing. Instead of 125 of them (or whatever the current number is), we may end up with a good number, like 400.

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400 F-22s?

Jeez, can the US even afford that many with the whole recession and debt and such going on? I thought the Raptor was effectively killed during this past year or so...

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Also, I'm doubtful if the USAF will get more F-22s... That would've happened a year ago when the PAK FA first took flight. With J-20, the US will probably disregard it as a credible threat and say it's two decades away from deployment or something. It's completely counter to the Cold War when they exaggerated the capabilities of enemy aircraft (Tu-22M, Mig-25) for extra funding.

Bltizo said:

400 F-22s?

Jeez, can the US even afford that many with the whole recession and debt and such going on? I thought the Raptor was effectively killed during this past year or so...

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Also, I'm doubtful if the USAF will get more F-22s... That would've happened a year ago when the PAK FA first took flight. With J-20, the US will probably disregard it as a credible threat and say it's two decades away from deployment or something. It's completely counter to the Cold War when they exaggerated the capabilities of enemy aircraft (Tu-22M, Mig-25) for extra funding.

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Maybe not in that large a number but I can certainly see the project getting revived. Maybe a new variant of Raptor will be developed.

siegecrossbow said:

Maybe not in that large a number but I can certainly see the project getting revived. Maybe a new variant of Raptor will be developed.

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I can imagine the existing F-22s getting upgraded to C and maybe E standards, but no new factory builds. I don't know the exact situation of course, but it sounds like the F-22 is dead and replaced by F-35 in terms of new build 5th gen aircraft.

siegecrossbow said:

Maybe not in that large a number but I can certainly see the project getting revived. Maybe a new variant of Raptor will be developed.

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RnD will cost even more in the way Americans develop new things...in the end, the richer who never get to risk their lives on the battlefield will get richer no matter what.

Looking good.

cn_habs said:

in the end, the richer who never get to risk their lives on the battlefield will get richer no matter what.

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Ahhh! I see someone understands mystification.