J-35 carrier fighter (PLAN) thread

[Andy1974]

Regarding the “hump”… I didn’t see anyone mention that it gives the aircraft more lift. I think that was mentioned in the paper from earlier this year.

 

[Blitzo]

Navalized J-20 would actually be helpful if we assume J-35 was similar to the F-35 in range and weapons in the current iteration. J-20 would bring long range, beefier AESA, higher missile capacity (assuming J-35 only has 4 missiles and the J-20 can carry 6 in the future in the main weapon bay) and battle management (twin seater).

I don't know if navalizing the J-20 is possible but it would be very beneficial if the above assumptions are right.

The biggest concern is that the J-35 seems like the primary role is air superiority but if it can only carry 4 PL-15's, it would be really deficient in this role.

So if you are basically asking whether the PLA navy would consider navalizing the J-20...

My answer is that you're asking this like five years too late.
We had rumours about five years ago that CAC and SAC were in competition for a navalized 5th gen fighter, offering a variant of J-20 and a variant of FC-31 respectively.
And a few years ago we got rumours that SACs FC-31 variant was chosen.

It is very very very unlikely that the PLAN will choose another 5th gen fighter to navalize given they've just committed to J-XY.


As for the aircraft's range and payload, we do not know them yet but we can reasonably expect the former to increase (and perhaps the latter too) compared to the FC-31 demonstrator. As I wrote before, one of the rumours about J-XY was that its main weapons bay would be the same dimensions as that of J-20's ventral bay.

Also, the F-35C has quite a long range, if J-XY had a similar range then it would be quite capable.

 

[sheogorath]

Integrated ladder is not a F-35 exclusive thing. Rafale M also has it too. So I guess there is a common practical need for it on a carrier, regardless which Navy. I can imagine that on a crowded CV deck moving multiple ladders for multiple aircrafts are slow and dangerous unlike in a spacious land airbase.

I think every carrier jet after the F-4's have integrated ladders, from the A-6, F-14 to the F/A-18's.

Oddly enough, the A-10 also has integrated ladders

 

[Maikeru]

I think every carrier jet after the F-4's have integrated ladders, from the A-6, F-14 to the F/A-18's.

Oddly enough, the A-10 also has integrated ladders

A10 was supposed to operate off motorways and other austere locations if WW3 had ever started between NATO and WarPac.

 

[gongolongo]

It is very very very unlikely that the PLAN will choose another 5th gen fighter to navalize given they've just committed to J-XY.


As for the aircraft's range and payload, we do not know them yet but we can reasonably expect the former to increase (and perhaps the latter too) compared to the FC-31 demonstrator. As I wrote before, one of the rumours about J-XY was that its main weapons bay would be the same dimensions as that of J-20's ventral bay.

Also, the F-35C has quite a long range, if J-XY had a similar range then it would be quite capable.

Yeah definitely too late for J-20 but one can only dream. Just trying to imagine what China would develop to compete with NGAD.

Since it's likely using the same weapons bay, does China have plans to fit 6 PL-15's or other AAMs?

 

[Blitzo]

Yeah definitely too late for J-20 but one can only dream.

That implies a carrier based variant of J-20 is somehow more desirable or superior to the FC-31 derived carrier based aircraft.

Since it's likely using the same weapons bay, does China have plans to fit 6 PL-15's or other AAMs?

A new BVR missile is said to be under development to allow J-20 to carry six of them internally in the ventral bay (among other upgrades over PL-15).
If J-XY has the same weapons bay geometry as J-20, then it should be able to carry six of the new BVR missile as well.

 

[Gloire_bb]

A new BVR missile is said to be under development to allow J-20 to carry six of them internally in the ventral bay (among other upgrades over PL-15).

PL-12 hasn't gone anywhere either...

 

[Blitzo]

PL-12 hasn't gone anywhere either...

I'm not sure how PL-12 is relevant, given they do not appear to be developing new variants based off it (likely some minor upgrades to existing stocks over time), and PL-12 certainly has not been shown as part of J-20's weapons suite inside its weapons bay.
So it shouldn't be relevant to J-XY either imo

 

[Gloire_bb]

I'm not sure how PL-12 is relevant, given they do not appear to be developing new variants based off it (likely some minor upgrades to existing stocks over time), and PL-12 certainly has not been shown as part of J-20's weapons suite inside its weapons bay.
So it shouldn't be relevant to J-XY either imo

My bad. I for some reason up till now assumed it to be substantially smaller than PL-15.

 

[siegecrossbow]

My bad. I for some reason up till now assumed it to be substantially smaller than PL-15.

It is pretty much the same dimension as confirmed by stats of PL-15E from Zhuhai Airshow.