Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator

ahadicow said:

He probably drew a aeroplane line art on an napkin and another one on the back, call his two design teams over,.

"You, make this plane, and you, make that plane, 23rd is the deadline, now, GET TO WORK /whiplash"

In other words, it is not that hard to chief design two totally different fighters at once.

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I doubt SAC hands out projects on first come first serve basis. Naturally, there's a professional reason for them to select just this guy for just these projects. No matter how little work he actually does...

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Maggern said:

I doubt SAC hands out projects on first come first serve basis. Naturally, there's a professional reason for them to select just this guy for just these projects. No matter how little work he actually does...

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I'm sure he earns his keep, look how hard Kelly Johnson had to work to earn his, LockMarts chief for many years and head of the venerable Skunk works.

P-38, F-104, SR-71, to name a few.

Air Force Brat said:

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I'm sure he earns his keep, look how hard Kelly Johnson had to work to earn his, LockMarts chief for many years and head of the venerable Skunk works.

P-38, F-104, SR-71, to name a few.

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Don't forget U-2. But he died in 1990, while Lockheed amalgamated with Martin in 1995. His employer, from 1933, was just Lockheed.
See

delft said:

Don't forget U-2. But he died in 1990, while Lockheed amalgamated with Martin in 1995. His employer, from 1933, was just Lockheed.
See

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Thanks for the Clarification Master DELFT, you and I and possibly Master Jeff are aware of Kelly's design genius that put Lockheed on the map, and you are quite correct about the partnership with Martin. He would have had the F-22 and the F-35 whipped into shape and focused.

Air Force Brat said:

Thanks for the Clarification Master DELFT, you and I and possibly Master Jeff are aware of Kelly's design genius that put Lockheed on the map, and you are quite correct about the partnership with Martin. He would have had the F-22 and the F-35 whipped into shape and focused.

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This is a very different time. People like the pointy haired one ( Dilbert ) have an excessive amount of influence. But if he would have prevented F-35 versions to be developed for Air Force, Navy and Marines in parallel in stead of just combining those electronics that are similar for aircraft that would have been specialized he would have saved Uncle Sam a billion dollars.

delft said:

This is a very different time. People like the pointy haired one ( Dilbert ) have an excessive amount of influence. But if he would have prevented F-35 versions to be developed for Air Force, Navy and Marines in parallel in stead of just combining those electronics that are similar for aircraft that would have been specialized he would have saved Uncle Sam a billion dollars.

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Too many interests at play. Both bureaucratically, financially and politically. All branches wanted their own fighter. The higher-ups wanted logistical efficiency, the politicians wanted jobs. F-35 is sure to be the world's most efficient fighter, but in what respect?

delft said:

This is a very different time. People like the pointy haired one ( Dilbert ) have an excessive amount of influence. But if he would have prevented F-35 versions to be developed for Air Force, Navy and Marines in parallel in stead of just combining those electronics that are similar for aircraft that would have been specialized he would have saved Uncle Sam a billion dollars.

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You mean Dilbert the cartoon???? Kelly would have likely saved you and I a few dimes as well. On another past subject of ours, Jack Broughton wrote an article that appeared in the September Air Force Magazine called "Pain and Gain in the Century Series" where he outlines flying all the century series and calls the F-104 the glamour girl of them all, they were all dangerous as he denotes each one and some of their strengths and ills. The USAF moved on rapidly from the Century series into the Phantom, which was a much safer aircraft, although still a handfull, and into the F-15, which was a much safer airplane, as well as the F-16, also a handfull, to F-18 also fairly nice flying, to the F-22, which according to most Pi-Reps is a cup-cake, and even the F-35B which for a STOVL is no sweat compared to the AV-8B. These nicer flying modern aircraft, while much more expensive and complex are also commensurately safer, with their auto pilots and navigation aids, and in general just nicer handling qualities. Brat

Maggern said:

Too many interests at play. Both bureaucratically, financially and politically. All branches wanted their own fighter. The higher-ups wanted logistical efficiency, the politicians wanted jobs. F-35 is sure to be the world's most efficient fighter, but in what respect?

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Why thats obvious lad, its the most efficient aircraft ever at devouring massive quantities of currency and bullion of all flavors,,,,,,no she's not picky, dollars? euros? whateva you wanta throw her way she'll take, no apologies, no quarters given, I think she has earned her little pet nick- ThunderHogge II! Happy Flyin to you fellas, I'm gonna enjoy mine while I can- Cheers Brat

Video on the 3D laser printing techniques used to manufacture the stress bearing parts on the J-21.



I have a feeling that we might be overestimating the empty weight of both the J-21 and the J-20.

I wonder if this means we're going to see some more pics soon.