That's the current version which to my knowledge is also the only version of WS-19
J-35A fighter (PLAAF) + FC-31 thread
- Thread starter ACuriousPLAFan
- Start date
Which is precisely what has surprised me. This could mean two things. Either the Rafale, to put it bluntly, truly is just as overhyped as it is overpriced; or China has made some insane advancements in radar and electronic warfare tech to the point that even the the supposed 'best' 4.5 gen that the West had to offer (not that I agree, I think the Super Hornet or Block 70 F-16 are superior to the Rafale) couldn't really measure up to it. And the fact that both can be true is even more surprising, though I'm leaning toward the latter.
Which is actually scary when you think about it. If China's (arguably) 4th or 5th best fighter jet can do this; imagine the capabilities of its more capable fighters like the modernized 4.5 gen Flankers, or the J-20/A/S, or the J-35 or even the upcoming sixth gen airframes especially armed with more potent missiles like the PL-17. This was a massive, massive wake up call for every single defense analyst.
I don't understand why this is so difficult to believe.
China is just ahead of European's RF technology.
Think of this little known company called Huawei, that apparently leads the world in telecom. Who knew that could be helpful in RF?
The 5/7 warfare played out the way it is for many reasons and the aircraft quality is only part of it. So, I don't think we need to venture off topic on that.
So in terms of electronics, power generation, and anything involving RF, something that China developed and put service in 2025 is clearly going to be much better than something that a western aircraft like F-35 would have, since the latter developed it back 15 years ago. the entire electronics and RF industry has moved forward a lot during this time.
Found evidence of WS-19 being installed on J-35.
WS-15 also have a multi-layered design for some reason
Another indirect evidence is that Huang Weina is on the list of candidates for academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering this year.
Yeah even I can anecdotally affirm the RF engineering part. I work for a very well-known, big tech corporation; I was in Shenzhen last year and met up with a Chinese RF engineering team there for some consultation and damn..... those guys were at least, AT LEAST, a whole generation ahead of us. And I went to a top school in the US and did very well there, and yet still. Chinese RF industry is very easily ahead of us at this point. The US might be close but Europe doesn't even register on the radar, pun intended
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she won numerous awards. also the first female chief designer of a design bureau. under her leadership AECC Liyang become one of the leading Aero engine manufacturer in mainland.
I wasn't aware that lecture slides from the WS-19's chief engineer has been proven inaccurate. Can you elaborate? Are there reliable sources for that 12,000 kgf estimate?
If that estimate is remotely accurate then @Alfa_Particle was indeed right about the WS-19 being in the EJ-270's ballpark of performance.