Are you genuinely thinking that's a possibility, or are you joking?
PLA next/6th generation fighter thread
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Are you genuinely thinking that's a possibility, or are you joking?
The reason I think that it is highly likely that we’ll see a legit plane before end of year is because every single PLA watcher of repute, many of whom stationed in Chengdu, agree that it will happen. Where there is smoke there is fire.
Saw some rumors that Shenyang AC will also have their own J-XD concept/technology demonstrator/prototype taking first flight sometime next year.
No idea how valid this claim is, however, so take this claim with a table-spoonful of salt.
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I think when Yankee threw his hat in, is when the smoke became relatively unavoidable.
That said I don't think there's been any particular debate in the last few pages about the idea of J-XD emerging soon, most people seem to agree to that consensus.
It's implied the controlled leakers get to say what they say because foreign intelligence knows more than what's been leaked to the public.
For years now the US have been indirectly commenting on competing with none other than China to bring next generation fighter into service. It wouldn't be discussed in this way if they haven't seen the associated movements and shipments making their rounds on the ground.
For years now the US have been indirectly commenting on competing with none other than China to bring next generation fighter into service. It wouldn't be discussed in this way if they haven't seen the associated movements and shipments making their rounds on the ground.
Sorry. been at conferences. I was thinking the regular joes (chinese equivalents) heard something third hand and misinterpreted it. Hence, the rumors.
These insider talks are rarely wrong.
I remember back in late 2011 and early 2012, some people close to SAC basically showcased 3 photographs. I think one was F-22, another X-47B and another was super hornet or strike eagle. Basically saying that SAC will be flying these aircraft over the next year. Some people thought it was just boasting at the time.
And then we basically saw FC-31, Lijian and J-16 make their maiden flight all over the next year.
I don't think there is really any doubt here that the project is close. However, that does not mean we cannot have some time of problem over the next month or so that delay the first flight for a few months. That's always possible.
I remember back in late 2011 and early 2012, some people close to SAC basically showcased 3 photographs. I think one was F-22, another X-47B and another was super hornet or strike eagle. Basically saying that SAC will be flying these aircraft over the next year. Some people thought it was just boasting at the time.
And then we basically saw FC-31, Lijian and J-16 make their maiden flight all over the next year.
I don't think there is really any doubt here that the project is close. However, that does not mean we cannot have some time of problem over the next month or so that delay the first flight for a few months. That's always possible.
I see, I can understand how you may think that, but to add on to what tphuang said, there's a few reasons why the idea doesn't really work.
First, the individuals that are driving the credible rumours and who have endorsed the J-XD/6th gen stuff in recent months, are not just "regular joes". Instead, the people that have been cited here are people with established track records. Unless they were deliberately joking or trying to mislead us (which we have no reason to believe), then there is no reason for us to significantly doubt the spirit of what they were saying.
Second, it is pretty clear that what was shown at Zhuhai is just part of previous AVIC/sci-fi/Nantianmen fictional collaborations for the sake of encouraging interest into the aviation sector using made up anime fighter style uber jets. It would be highly unusual for any credible PLA watcher, let alone people like Yankee, to "misinterpret" something that everyone knows is fictional, as an actual project. In fact, the sources that people like Yankee would be getting from their end, would likely be of significant weight and credibility for them to make remarks on it in an open manner.
Third, the AVIC-Nantianmen/fictional jet is something which is so irrelevant for PLA watching that we really should be just pretending it doesn't even exist. Even mere acknowledgement of its presence is a distraction, because to even talk about it in the same thread as the actual PLA next gen/6th gen fighter I think gives that made up jet fighter many times more credibility than it deserves, because it is like the equivalent of seeing a transformers toy and wondering if it means that there are actually robots in the world that can reshape themselves into fire trucks and jets. This isn't to criticize you, but rather to criticize media like National Interest who have uncritically written about this model as if it was real, all in pursuit of the content mill and lacking any modicum of critical thinking.
Triple engine would put it in tactical bomber territory... Maybe the H20 and the 6th gen are essentially the same plane?
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