Skywatcher
Captain
Well, the AVIC representatives at Dubai 2015 did say a production start date of 2019, so plenty of time for more upgrades and additions.
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
- Thread starter RedSky
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SinoSoldier
Colonel
To be honest, after a few additional looks, the v2.0 does seem to be quite complete (the EOTS seems to be the black object in the photo I posted). The v2.0 is quite analogous to J-20 #2011 whereas the v1.0 is more of a tech demonstrator (a la X-35) more than anything else.
some musings... given the disclosed specifications of fc31 at zhuhai, their differences from ones given two years ago and the recent images, here is some conjecture and observation. half a meter longer plane should involve a bit longer fuselage, even though most of the increase seems due to repositioned horizontal stabilizators which are now even more aft than before.
assuming take off roll figures are for a nominal TO mass, which seems likely given just 450 meters, and given the linear increase in both take off roll and mtow (around 12%) one could guesstimate that empty weight went up by a similar amount.
even though nominal TO weight wasnt given this time for v2, it seems plausible it is close to 19 tons, given the other increases. fuel carried does seem to be increased as range went up by a smidgeon even though plane is heavier.
given the weights of f35, EF and mig29 family (somewhat comparable), id say there are fair chances v2 is around 12 to 13 tons empty. also, given the increases in weight and roll distance, id wager the powerplant is not meaningfuly more powerful than one in v1. (if it was, plane would be either even heavier or roll distance would be shorter. so similar engines seem like most plausible explanation)
anyway, these new figures seem much more realistic than initial ones. range seemed especially dubious given the weights, but these new figures seem to have corrected that.
assuming take off roll figures are for a nominal TO mass, which seems likely given just 450 meters, and given the linear increase in both take off roll and mtow (around 12%) one could guesstimate that empty weight went up by a similar amount.
even though nominal TO weight wasnt given this time for v2, it seems plausible it is close to 19 tons, given the other increases. fuel carried does seem to be increased as range went up by a smidgeon even though plane is heavier.
given the weights of f35, EF and mig29 family (somewhat comparable), id say there are fair chances v2 is around 12 to 13 tons empty. also, given the increases in weight and roll distance, id wager the powerplant is not meaningfuly more powerful than one in v1. (if it was, plane would be either even heavier or roll distance would be shorter. so similar engines seem like most plausible explanation)
anyway, these new figures seem much more realistic than initial ones. range seemed especially dubious given the weights, but these new figures seem to have corrected that.
That is true that WS-13E is nothing to get excited about in term of specs, but being self sufficient was the first goal of the PLA. Once they understand how to build an engine that satisfy their current need, they will use the knowledge to do R&D on improvement or even a new design
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