PLA Air Force news, pics and videos

Why would China change the J-20 design? Doesn't the US already know all the components are inferior? How would a redesign do anything? Did the US change the F-35 design because China has the blue prints? And if people are using this latest photo as proof, then this espionage would have to have taken place a while ago because this new J-20 just showed up and they were still working on the "old" J-20.

SinoSoldier said:

A rumor is claiming that the J-20 may undergo a "redesign" after the AVIC deputy director was indicted for spying on behalf of the US.

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It's about as credible as the National Enquirer when it comes to discussing any sort of defense news.

And the data breaches on the F-35 haven't contributed to any developmental delays.

AssassinsMace said:

Why would China change the J-20 design? Doesn't the US already know all the components are inferior? How would a redesign do anything? Did the US change the F-35 design because China has the blue prints? And if people are using this latest photo as proof, then this espionage would have to have taken place a while ago because this new J-20 just showed up and they were still working on the "old" J-20.

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At present I don't think anyone is trying to use the satellite photo as proof... Tyloe is the one who was wondering if the satellite photo was the reason why it was rumoured that J-20 may undergo a redesign, but as far as I'm aware the idea that J-20 may undergo a redesign is just a random rumour on the basis of equally dubious notions of just what this deputy director is accused of... not to mention the satellite picture doesn't even look like a twin engined fighter to begin with.


In other words, everyone is getting far too ahead of themselves.

Bltizo said:

At present I don't think anyone is trying to use the satellite photo as proof... Tyloe is the one who was wondering if the satellite photo was the reason why it was rumoured that J-20 may undergo a redesign, but as far as I'm aware the idea that J-20 may undergo a redesign is just a random rumour on the basis of equally dubious notions of just what this deputy director is accused of... not to mention the satellite picture doesn't even look like a twin engined fighter to begin with.


In other words, everyone is getting far too ahead of themselves.

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Yes I was wondering if this photo is the tail wagging the dog where this espionage rumor first started from and not from Tyloe. It's an interesting coincidence. Because if this new photo is real, that in itself will alarm China's adversaries because of how many different stealth prototypes China is easily playing with. The anti-China fanatics would certainly be in denial and you would have to find an excuse why it isn't so. Charging that China changed the design due to espionage would turn lemons into lemonade.

AssassinsMace said:

Yes I was wondering if this photo is the tail wagging the dog where this espionage rumor first started from and not from Tyloe. It's an interesting coincidence. Because if this new photo is real, that in itself will alarm China's adversaries because of how many different stealth prototypes China is easily playing with. The anti-China fanatics would certainly be in denial and you would have to find an excuse why it isn't so. Charging that China changed the design due to espionage would turn lemons into lemonade.

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I think it may just be a coincidence tbh...

I'd also be surprised at any "alarm" at this RCS model. In fact I'd like to appeal our fellow SDF PLA watchers to not make too big of a deal of this RCS model as well.

Any nation with a robust stealth industry will obviously carry out many RCS studies for many RCS configurations of many different aircraft configurations, just as a nation with a robust aerospace industry in general will carry out many studies and tests via models such as air tunnel tests. Seeing a single RCS model for an aircraft caught by satellite does not mean that model must be an aircraft at any sort of advanced stage of development or even being developed at all.

It's actually pretty promising if it's primarily for export; if an airforce needs a stealth capability to supplement its airforce, 2 missiles are enough. But modern air combat will need more than 2 missiles; that's essentially just being able to fire one salvo and then it's time to bingo. Moreover, if you're going the small and mass-produced route, why not go short-range or medium-ranged missiles? Stealth warfare will typically occur at short ranges; the 200 km range of the latest AIM-120 is to some extent wasted against other stealth targets. Better 4 dogfight missiles than 2 BVR missiles that miss.

The draft looks rather like the X-32.

I used Google Earth using the coordinates. That runway is truly out in the middle of nowhere. Unless the Google images are pretty old, there's not a lot of facilities in the area.

Larger wings, shortened tail, could be a naval version?

Not just fan art and fanboi predictions to hold doubts about. Lesson learned.


A single engine aircraft could be hinting at a cheaper multi-role platform, like what's the j-10 to the j-11.