PLAN 6th gen carrierborne fighter thread

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Well, imo same rush that resulted in the PLAAF 6th gens flying years before the american ones. Whatever the strategic reasoning for PLAAF was, it applies exactly the same for PLANAF, quality over quantity being one of those factors probably. It's not like the J-35 will be displaced too early, we are looking at probably almost a decade of sustained production until J-50H(?) should be ready for sustained production itself. But even for this pretty conservative timeline they need to step on the gas now.

Given the rather ambiguous status of PLAN's carrier-based 6th-gen manned warplane developments so far, I think it'd be safer to stick with the J-XDT designation for the time being.

We certainly won't see the J-35 getting displaced anytime soon. If anything - It would be the J-15Ts that would be the target of getting displaced by the J-XDTs on future PLAN CVWs, similar to how the USN wants their F/A-XX to replace and succeed the F/A-18E/Fs onboard their CVNs.

There's also the carrier-based unmanned warplanes and rotorcrafts to consider as well, with the GJ-21 and the AR2000 being the known examples. The U(C)AVs would eventually take over much of the J-15T's tasks and roles in the PLAN's CVW of the future, such that it is indeed very much a possibility where less J-15Ts would be needed for post-2030 new-built carriers.

 

[tphuang]

Well, imo same rush that resulted in the PLAAF 6th gens flying years before the american ones. Whatever the strategic reasoning for PLAAF was, it applies exactly the same for PLANAF, quality over quantity being one of those factors probably. It's not like the J-35 will be displaced too early, we are looking at probably almost a decade of sustained production until J-50H(?) should be ready for sustained production itself. But even for this pretty conservative timeline they need to step on the gas now.

well, it's quite clear that PLA has their own timeline. They are going to get it into Air Force first and then into PLAN.

Why would you think they will slacken? There are quite a long list of things that PLAN needs to get into its carrier fleet before 6th gen.

At this point, it looks like only J-XDS is of a size that can be EMAL launched and reasonably operate off a carrier. So if you are PLAN, do you wait for CAC to come up with another design or you are just stuck with J-XDS or just go straight to an upgraded J-35s controlling more and more powerful drones

 

[tamsen_ikard]

Well, imo same rush that resulted in the PLAAF 6th gens flying years before the american ones. Whatever the strategic reasoning for PLAAF was, it applies exactly the same for PLANAF, quality over quantity being one of those factors probably. It's not like the J-35 will be displaced too early, we are looking at probably almost a decade of sustained production until J-50H(?) should be ready for sustained production itself. But even for this pretty conservative timeline they need to step on the gas now.

I think producing more carriers will be a higher priority than getting 6th gen into carriers.

Looking at the terrible situation in the US when it comes to advanced weapons development. They will have a hard time getting even air force 6th gen going, let alone naval 6th gen.

Current US navy barely has 100 F-35C in active service. Their ships are rusting and falling apart.

China should focus on getting to atleast 6 carriers as soon as possible and fill those carriers with 5th gen fighters and awacs. That will be the biggest boost to naval power.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Only reason for rushing naval Sixth Gen is to force USN into spending money of FA-XX. Since they already decided on doing that there is no point to rush it.