Sure, but the next obvious step to improve detection capability is to:
1. increase the amount of compute available on the aircraft
2. also to train deep learning algorithms to identify the very weak signals reflecting from a stealth aircraft
PLA next/6th generation fighter thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Sure, but the next obvious step to improve detection capability is to:
1. increase the amount of compute available on the aircraft
2. also to train deep learning algorithms to identify the very weak signals reflecting from a stealth aircraft
If CAC is going with a heavy 3 engine design, it's highly unlikely that it will suit aircraft carrier operations.
So we would likely end up with SAC producing a 2 engine design for:
1) naval operations
2) an affordable Air Force and export version
YF-23 was not necessary. Hell, even F-22 was not strictly speaking necessary and might retire without ever seeing combat in its intended role. These are very expensive aircraft to procure and operate with no clear use case. Remember this was back in the '90s. The US made many mistakes since then, but not procuring YF-23 is pretty low on the list.
But it's not the '90s anymore, and now there are obvious reasons to keep two cutting-edge aircraft in operation.
It did shoot down a Chinese balloon, that's combat right?
If you want broadband radar stealth, you have to get rid of the tailfin control surfaces that can be easily detected by long-wavelength radar.
So if you was to build an air superiority fighter with decent manoeuvrability, I think TVC is inevitable.
And if you have have 3 engines, then you can use stealthy 2D nozzles (for rearward stealth) to divert thrust in all directions eg. the centreline engine controls up/down and the 2 side engines control left/right.
It's a lot more difficult (impossible?) to have rearward stealth AND manoeuvrability with only 2 engines.
If the two prototypes are of the same fighter weight class, mission, and configuration, which they almost certainly will be in the event of a competition fly-off, there is little to no reason to induct both. Otherwise, you'd end up having logistical headaches for no apparent advantage.
However, whichever company ends up losing the contract will likely develop another fighter or reconfigure the rejected project into a platform that fits another PLAAF/PLANAF requirement. Think of J-35 vs J-20.
As NGAD is designed to be a “family of systems", it is understandable that the next-gen combat vehicles of China also be featured in aircrafts with different roles I suppose
If it is powered by three engines, I would expect it to be considerably larger
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Well, nothing is stopping CAC from calling non-fighter aircraft "6th generation" if they possess much of the technological advances found in the fighter projects. Since the recent spate of rumors do not explicity mention that the soon-to-fly aircraft is a fighter in the traditional sense of the word, it is possible that we could be expecting a bomber or fighter-bomber.
Who knows.
lcloo
Captain
Personally I am hoping for a large combat aircraft that is neither pure air superiority fighter/interceptor/fighter bomber/strike attacker in traditional way, but one smart combat aircarft with huge computational power for command and long range detection and tracking, and equiped with new energy weapons (at least designed for future upgrade if current DEW are not up to acceptable level), large payload and endurance.
In short a medium large size combat mothership with combined capability of stealth fighter jets like J20, excellent ECM better than J16D, ability to control large swarms of drones like loyal wingman and other drones, has switchable manned and unmanned mode if pilots have serious injuries. And also it should have ultra long range strike capability, especially ultra long range maritime strike.
I think I am hoping too advance ahead of time, but then it is almost Christmas time, we could wish sky high.
In short a medium large size combat mothership with combined capability of stealth fighter jets like J20, excellent ECM better than J16D, ability to control large swarms of drones like loyal wingman and other drones, has switchable manned and unmanned mode if pilots have serious injuries. And also it should have ultra long range strike capability, especially ultra long range maritime strike.
I think I am hoping too advance ahead of time, but then it is almost Christmas time, we could wish sky high.
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