Good idea, I'll do so.
I don't think something so extensive is already planned out. I'm sure SAC is hoping the PLA will go for such a program but at the moment this aircraft is probably more of a privately funded prototype.
Shenyang FC-31 / J-31 Fighter Demonstrator
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Good idea, I'll do so.
I don't think something so extensive is already planned out. I'm sure SAC is hoping the PLA will go for such a program but at the moment this aircraft is probably more of a privately funded prototype.
There is no such thing as a completely privately funded prototype. The Air Force will start pouring in money sooner or later.
If the air force is interested that is, which by the sounds of things they will be, if just to prop up SAC.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Posted by eagle over at CDF... hmm... Hmm.. HMMM...
That could be the JH-7B. Twin vertical stabilizers, medium wings, etc.
But that does seem to have a similarity of a supposed concept picture of the J-18:
The point is, SAC wouldn't spend money and resources on this plane if they weren't almost 100% sure it would get orders. Aside from technology demonstrators (which China has no history of doing) can someone name a modern (gen 4.5 onwards) jet where prototypes were built but the project went no further?
Again, not tech demonstrators here, I am talking full blown prototypes.
The X-32 and YF-23 were just tech dems.
I cannot think of any in the modern era, which makes me suspicious of the claim that Shenyang doesn't have official PLAAF support.
I don't know, maybe the F-15SE as of now? Mig-35?
And we're assuming the J-19 which will fly late this year will be a full prototype. Are the YF-23/22 or X-32/35 not considered real prototypes..? I've always considered a prototype an aircraft which can be developed into something into production while tech demos usually show feasibility of an idea.
And iirc there's an idea the JH-7B will not be a real 5th gen but rather be like the superbug. We'll know soon enough I suppose.
And we're assuming the J-19 which will fly late this year will be a full prototype. Are the YF-23/22 or X-32/35 not considered real prototypes..? I've always considered a prototype an aircraft which can be developed into something into production while tech demos usually show feasibility of an idea.
And iirc there's an idea the JH-7B will not be a real 5th gen but rather be like the superbug. We'll know soon enough I suppose.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Being built for export is different from terminating the project. A terminated project means that all development has been stopped and production stopped. I suspect that many of SAC's future fighters are being built for export, especially the suspected J-16 and J-17.
If nobody buys your plane a program will effectively go no further, whcih is what centrist was asking for.
SinoSoldier
Colonel
Then that implies the PLAAF have a lot of confidence in its projects.
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