Interesting find, but still isn't completely certain, given that we have many other papers on J-20 and J-35A (such as a supposed gun installed on the left-side of J-35A) that didn't materialize into the actual aircraft.Illustrations from academic papers which likely indicates the longitudinal cross-sectional diagram of the internal weapons bay (IWB) of the J-35A (for the PLAAF) and the J-35 (for the PLAN).
Posted by @Captain小潇 on Weibo.
View attachment 139896
View attachment 139897
View attachment 139902
View attachment 139898
Assuming the lengths of IWBs on both the J-20/As and J-35/As are similar, if not exactly the same:
Through comparison, the IWBs of the J-35/A seems to considerably differ from the IWB of the J-20, such that the J-35/A's IWB actually has a deeper depth towards the front than the J-20's IWB, mainly due to the differences in the placement of the IWBs and the designs of the engine inlets on both the J-20 and J-35/A.
View attachment 139900
View attachment 139905
This has likely resulted in the J-35/As being actually capable of carrying larger-dimension payloads inside her IWB than the J-20.
The upper four diagrams should refer to the J-35/As, whereas the lower four diagrams should refer to the J-20.
View attachment 139901
Honestly, didn't realise the the IWB of the J-20 actually doesn't have a uniform depth across the entire length until today.
View attachment 139904
Such features could also explain why the J-20/As and J-35As are given different mission sets by the PLAAF.
Also regarding the IRST comparison, what does LTD mean on the supposedly J-35A's, does anyone know about this abbreviation?