Source of the photo/illustration?
PLA next/6th generation fighter thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
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Source of the photo/illustration?
oh yeah this is from douyin, user CCL7769. so liekly a PS. looks cool tho
Yeah it would be cool if that could be included in the opening post.
Imo our collective responsibility now is to try and ensure accuracy and minimize "jumping the gun".
PLA watching has come a fair bit since J-20 s/n 2001 emerged 14 years ago, we have an opportunity to turn up a little this time
This was posted ages ago as a '6th gen'. PLA next/6th generation fighter thread
you are right, if the new gen fighter can operate at a significantly higher altitude compared to F-35 and its contemporaries, then maneuverability as we currently understand it is not need it. it will not engage in a dogfight, and the situational awareness bestowed by its sensors will give sufficient warnings to incoming threat far enough in advance that it may simply turn away and escape danger using supercruise. high altitude and stealth also means 5 gen fighters will have to sneak up pretty close before being able to take a good shot at it, which again is difficult given its speed.
That‘s an older one known / made by that famous CG-artist who also made other CG/PS artworks. I just forgot his name but I have the full image on my harddrive.
High altitude usually doesn't go well with stealth for non-specialist subsonic high altitude aircraft. Because you, well, have to somehow avoid stall.
For specialist high altitude aircraft it can be quite straightforward, just get longer wings and be good. Just be careful with moving the joystick, such aircraft require care.
For fighters without very long wing it means going high supersonic, which means hot, and with reflecting shockwave behind.
It's hard to be both stealthy and fast/high at the same time.
high altitude and speed is only in relation to F-35. If F-35 can't get to it that is all PLA needs. It is easier to achieve because at a higher altitude, air is less dense. whereas F-22 can do mach 1.5 supercruise at 10000m, a 6 gen fighter can do mach 2 at a much higher altitude without generating anymore heat.
Remember that on the cruising journey to the target, it should be relatively low threat and there's no need to go at super-high altitude if it causes stall problems. Also remember that the accompanying CCAs are likely to be travelling at subsonic speeds.
But once near the combat zone, if the aircraft can super cruise, then the engine heat plume can remain relatively cool as the engines aren't afterburning.
And come to think of it, if it can super cruise at Mach 2, is there any need for the engines to be capable of afterburner?
As the USAF have pointed out, switching on the afterburners creates a huge heat signature. Plus Mach 2 is likely faster than the planned manned NGAD. And would afterburners really add much in the way of additional speed? Even going at Mach 2 is likely to cause a lot more maintenance after each flight.
And isn't the idea to keep the aircraft at standoff distances and let the CCAs fight it out?
As the USAF have pointed out, switching on the afterburners creates a huge heat signature. Plus Mach 2 is likely faster than the planned manned NGAD. And would afterburners really add much in the way of additional speed? Even going at Mach 2 is likely to cause a lot more maintenance after each flight.
And isn't the idea to keep the aircraft at standoff distances and let the CCAs fight it out?
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