CACs J-36 has likely created a new paradigm in the 6th gen talk. A large fighter bomber, with supersonic performance, greater range, all aspect stealth, EW and has the space to support all of this. On the surface, the requirements are clear and direct, and the technologies complement each other.
'Sexy' jokes aside, SACs J-XS has become a bit more interesting to me. Its a air to air superiority/ high performance and maneuverability that also has to have all aspect stealth with tailless/folding design. The plane needs to have even greater range, more missile capacity, more EW/Radar, fuel and heat management all packed into an even smaller body with possible future naval capability.
To me, this is a rather daunting engineering challenge, taking generally incompatible requirements/philosophies and making them work together. This is why I said that Shenyang's fighters became more fascinating to me.
In summary, CAC's project will expand on what it means to be 6th gen, while SACs project will show the direct improvement of 6th gens over existing 5th gens on a head to head basis.
Another observation. We got many detailed photographs, videos, accurate leaks and rumors about the j36 from the grapevine long before its final reveal. Comparatively, we got nothing on the SAC. In fact it flew earlier but we thought it was fake. Even the photographs and videos don't show the details well.
Overall, it seems Opsec is really tight around SACs work.
'Sexy' jokes aside, SACs J-XS has become a bit more interesting to me. Its a air to air superiority/ high performance and maneuverability that also has to have all aspect stealth with tailless/folding design. The plane needs to have even greater range, more missile capacity, more EW/Radar, fuel and heat management all packed into an even smaller body with possible future naval capability.
To me, this is a rather daunting engineering challenge, taking generally incompatible requirements/philosophies and making them work together. This is why I said that Shenyang's fighters became more fascinating to me.
In summary, CAC's project will expand on what it means to be 6th gen, while SACs project will show the direct improvement of 6th gens over existing 5th gens on a head to head basis.
Another observation. We got many detailed photographs, videos, accurate leaks and rumors about the j36 from the grapevine long before its final reveal. Comparatively, we got nothing on the SAC. In fact it flew earlier but we thought it was fake. Even the photographs and videos don't show the details well.
Overall, it seems Opsec is really tight around SACs work.
