they could also use ultra high end T1100 composite material in J-50.. couple of local firms have started production. next gen Electronics and avionics too near completion.They could do that by leveraging existing tech as much as possible. Initial version could be built around WS-15 TVC engines, GaN or GaNS AESA radar based on that on J-35 or J-20A/S but with more TRMs, same as the EOTS, avionics, PL-16 AAMs etc. Of course they'll try to implement as much 6th gen tech as is available such as AI for CCA capability and other features.
I'm not sure there is a general expectation that it will enter service by 2030, personally I was assuming both 6th gen would be more 2035 initial entry to service. Regardless I stand by my point that significantly earlier than 2030, say 2028, would be really surprising. To get a modern stealth fighter from first flight to active service in 3-4 years is already stretching it, to do this with a new gen aircraft that doesn't have vertical stabilizers which would necessitate more testing is just implausible to me. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.The general expectation is enter service by 2030, so "earlier than optimists" can only be earlier than 2030, and significantly so. That implies the aircraft is very satisfactory, and they are basically working on set up serial production. Give a few years of factory set ups and the plane will start cranking up in numbers.
The Shenyang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation has a tendency to speak out ahead of time. For example, rumors of the J35's imminent deployment have long circulated, but these rumors weren't confirmed until the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show. If the J50 is scheduled to enter service in 2030, all the work done on the J35 will be wasted. If it's a carrier-based aircraft, the J15 will become a nonperforming asset, and if it's a heavy fighter, the J16 will become a nonperforming asset.they could also use ultra high end T1100 composite material in J-50.. couple of local firms have started production. next gen Electronics and avionics too near completion.
SAC new super production facility have integrated composite and titanium production facilities too. in-short everything has been set. its all depend on testing and evaluation of J-50.
China basically rewriting the rules of fighter jet development.
J-15T is already seen as a stopgap until advanced carrier multirole could take its place, perhaps it's why they never bothered putting WS-10H on it. J-16 is a strike aircraft to replace JH-7 not a heavy air superiority fighter. Not inducting an advanced fighter simply because "It'll waste prior effort" is ridiculous. Why would the PLAAF want to procure worse fighters when a much better one is readily available? I don't think there is any need to rush the development of either aircraft, but I certainly don't think there is reason to delay entry of these aircraft assuming they are fully baked and ready.The Shenyang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation has a tendency to speak out ahead of time. For example, rumors of the J35's imminent deployment have long circulated, but these rumors weren't confirmed until the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show. If the J50 is scheduled to enter service in 2030, all the work done on the J35 will be wasted. If it's a carrier-based aircraft, the J15 will become a nonperforming asset, and if it's a heavy fighter, the J16 will become a nonperforming asset.
Ridiculous in the extreme. Even with the J-20, the J-10 is still being developed and still equipped in huge numbers. J-10 has not become a non performing assetThe Shenyang Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation has a tendency to speak out ahead of time. For example, rumors of the J35's imminent deployment have long circulated, but these rumors weren't confirmed until the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show. If the J50 is scheduled to enter service in 2030, all the work done on the J35 will be wasted. If it's a carrier-based aircraft, the J15 will become a nonperforming asset, and if it's a heavy fighter, the J16 will become a nonperforming asset.
If it is put into use in 2035 (small batch production), then the production ratio of different types of fighters can be adjusted starting in 2030, and finally the fourth-generation fighters can be phased out in continuous production in 2040.