Could the Three Musketeers actually be referring to J-10, J-11 and J-16, with the 4th Musketeer being J-20 instead?
Or what did I miss? J-11 and J-16 in the same grouping?
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Or what did I miss? J-11 and J-16 in the same grouping?
Interesting interpretation since the 131st Air Brigade is indeed rumoured to be under conversion to J-20
The three musketeers have always referred to J-10, J-16, and J-20.
It’s not that J-11 is counted separately. J-11 is not one of the three musketeers as per PLAAF designation.
? J-11 and J-16 obviously have to be counted separately, because they are entirely different aircraft with entirely different capabilities.
Similarly, it is J-10C specifically that is associated to be much more capable than J-10A/B.
The reason why J-10C, J-16 and J-20 were considered the so called "three musketeers" is because they emerged at a similar time to one another and could significantly leverage each others strengths through use of effective datalinking at a level that other previous aircraft could not, this being individually but also collectively far superior to past fighters.
Hasn't there basically also been 'official art' of the three planes (j10, j16 and j20) with the 'three musketeer theme'.
Saw one of the comments claiming that the unit/squadron/brigade has no change of planes planned as of the moment. However, I do know no better.
Coupled with the facts where:
1. There are no more new variants for the J-10, J-11 and J-16 series;
2. There are neither news nor rumors of a 3rd 5th-gen fighter (J-20B isn't exactly distinct enough from J-20A to become its own "musketeer"); and
3. 6th-gen fighters are still around a decade away -
Then I think it is reasonable to conclude that this "4th musketeer" could be an unofficial hint that the land-based version of the J-35/31, i.e. CTOL J-35/31 will be inducted into service with the PLAAF in the near future.
Therefore, I think the following questions on would be:
1. How many CTOL J-35/31s does the PLAAF need? and
2. How fast can Shenyang produce those J-35/31s (and is there any visible expansion of Shenyang's production facilities recently)?
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"Therefore, I think the following questions on would be:
1. How many CTOL J-35/31s does the PLAAF need?"
In thinking about a response to this question, we should be thinking about the role stealth UCAVs might play for the PLAAF. I suggest this will significantly impact the answer.
1. How many CTOL J-35/31s does the PLAAF need?"
In thinking about a response to this question, we should be thinking about the role stealth UCAVs might play for the PLAAF. I suggest this will significantly impact the answer.