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However, the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter is not the same. Before discussing the so-called mission layer and supersonic cruise, it first addresses the need for maneuverability. Therefore, the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter has more requirements in the physical domain than the Chengdu sixth-generation fighter. Of course, the statement that there will be significant changes in the form and energy distribution of offense and defense in the future indicates that there is still some difference from previous eras. Combining with the previous text, it is clear that advantageous maneuvers in the form of attack are no longer pursued, meaning that high altitude and high speed are no longer sought after. High altitude means you are in a position without clutter, while the opponent is under the cover of ground clutter. High speed means providing more acoustic/optical information, leading to a disadvantage in the information domain. The gradual improvement in missile performance also means that the empowerment effect of aircraft maneuverability on missiles is gradually diminishing. On the other hand, there is a significant demand for maneuverability in defensive situations, that is, the pursuit of a comprehensive maneuverability B value, which breaks down into the maximum sustained load factor G sustained, the maximum instantaneous load factor G instantaneous, and the previously mentioned specific excess power SEP. The pursuit of SEP is the same, but the pursuit of load factor maneuverability is somewhat different, with more emphasis on the ability to perform high-load maneuvers while maintaining high-speed supersonic cruise. This can also be understood as a need for supersonic medium-range missile dueling (Chief Designer Sun mentioned that the performance of dogfight missiles has improved too much, making close-range dogfights too risky and unrealistic, almost certainly resulting in a one-for-one exchange, hence the need to win at medium range), or more specifically, maneuvers like the 39-degree dive, Immelmann turn, and Split S.
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Currently, a relatively high-definition video has been released, confirming my perspective. The design of the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter is highly similar to the small-aspect-ratio flying wing standard model proposed by China during the 12th Five-Year Plan period. The difference lies in the leading edge being modified to a double-swept angle to enhance performance (the Chengdu sixth-generation fighter also features a double-swept leading edge). The multiple control surfaces distributed at different positions ensure that the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter has a high load capacity even at high speeds. Of course, this also implies that the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter is estimated to be relatively light, at least much lighter than the Chengdu sixth-generation fighter, allowing a twin-engine configuration to ensure a high specific excess power (SEP). Additionally, although Chief Designer Sun's thesis also acknowledges the requirements for long range and endurance, there is a significant difference from Chengdu's approach: Shenyang believes that this issue should not be solved by the aircraft itself but by a more advanced next-generation refueling support system, especially an aerial refueling system (including fighter-to-fighter refueling, a combination of unmanned stealth tankers and manned large tankers), to ensure that maneuverability is not compromised.
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From this perspective, I also have a somewhat speculative personal guess regarding the V-shaped notch that runs from the middle of the intake through the entire weapon bay and the middle of the engine to the tail cone of the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter. I believe this is likely an optimized central lifting body designed for high-speed performance. Traditional central lifting bodies use boundary layers to increase lift, which is effective at low speeds but less so at high speeds. Additionally, designs like the Su-57 have certain negative impacts on weapon bay deployment and can create low-pressure zones at the tail, increasing drag and imposing requirements on tail cone design, while also forming many 90-degree dihedral angle reflections that affect stealth. This new V-notch central lifting body, similar to a wedge-derived waverider, could use shock wave principles to enhance lift, performing better at high speeds and more efficiently introducing airflow to the rear to solve low-pressure zone issues. The smaller notch could also avoid affecting weapon bay deployment, and since the angle is not 90 degrees, the impact on stealth would be smaller and within acceptable limits. Of course, this is just my personal speculation and lacks definitive evidence to prove it.
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to be...
