It is a pretty major success based on the PLAN and now PLAAF orders. But I doubt it would ever match J-20 numbers since CAC will be pumping out those at ~100 a year until the 6th Gens are ready. Exports are a icing on the cake that is not available to the J-20.
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
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It is a pretty major success based on the PLAN and now PLAAF orders. But I doubt it would ever match J-20 numbers since CAC will be pumping out those at ~100 a year until the 6th Gens are ready. Exports are a icing on the cake that is not available to the J-20.
The service life for a WS-10 engine is 3000 hours?
At 200 hours per year, the engine will only last 15 years.
That would equate to half the design life of the J-20 airframe?
So 15 years is when you would expect an MLU to happen
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So the J-20 designers must be aware that the engines will have to be completely replaced as part of an MLU.
And they know that 15 years is enough time for a new, clean-sheet engine design to be completed.
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The AL-31/41 engines are like $4 Million each. So two WS-15 engines might cost a bit more?
So they might as well pay that extra and go with WS-15 for the improved performance.
The difference in engine cost is minor compared to the overall J-20 cost, which has to be at least $80 Million.
So my guess is that the early J-20s will get new engines.
Lifetime might increase with maturity, especially as materials improve. Besides in 15 years we’re looking at 2040, which means the fleet will already be deep into the 6th gen cycle. The oldest J-20s are far more likely to be retired at that point.
The oldest J-20s are pushing 9 years old, with them being built in the first LRIP batches in 2016. WS-10 from that early back are very different compared to 2025 WS-10s, while right now WS-10 might have lifespan pushing 5000-6000 hours due to incorporating WS-15 technology. WS-10 built 10 years ago might still have lifespan of only a ~2000 hours, which means the first batch of J-20s are due to have their engines replaced soon.
outdated data.. its almost double now.
as i said before, WS-10 manufactured after 2022 is better machine as compare to WS-10 produced in pre-2022 time period. Shenyang keep improving Engine and manufacturing techniques.
latest WS-10 TBO approaching this mark.. now now you can imagine the service life.
what the other poster is trying to say is that J20 equipped with older WS10 with shorter service life are either going to need a reengine soon, or it's already been done.
WS-10C never had low service life. in fact ''C'' variant introduced in 2018 especially for J-20.. those were earlier WS-10 variants with low service life..
PLAAF is fully satisfied with WS-10C performance.
Didn't Cute Orca say WS-10C made certain lifespan sacrifices for higher performance?
Orca didn't say this i think.. it was just speculation on Chinese internet.
okay even if true, Shenyang sacrifices certain lifespan for higher performance but that was back then in 2018.. Shenyang improved WS-10 core machine in 2021 and introduced new material. changed manufacturing process..
so this discussion is now pointless. we are in 2025
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How large is the gap in lifespan between the WS-10C and American engines?