Chengdu J-10 Multirole Fighter Air Craft News & Discussions

[kungfugymnast]

It is just my term for Next Generation, just like Grippen NG or Mirage III NG, normally used for undesignated next generation project for many previous aircraft in the past.

There's no Mirage III NG, it was replaced by Mirage F1 & later Mirage 2000 then Rafale.

Gripen is just bragging big common fighter meant for Sweeden air defence roles. Gripen lacks the combat radius for offensive sorties, having just medium range radar with maximum track range less than AIM-120C7 maximum effective range and not that good for air to ground role. It is outclassed by F-16C block 52.

The J-10C roles will be more on air to ground taking out mobile targets that required below 15nm engagement in seek & destroy. There's no need for NG J-10C which would be filled by J-20 or newer stealth fighter bomber. The same goes to J-16 that would take air to ground roles mostly.

In futurei if there's any war with countries that have advanced air force, J-10C, J-16, J-15 only air to air roles are to provide weapon platform 2nd wave attacks behind all the stealth fighters and to serve as decoy.

 

[Figaro]

it is indeed up to debate whether the J10NG will be entering PLAAF service or not as naval J35 is almost a certainty to have maiden flight next year.

It will depend on cost of J10NG and the decommission rates of early generation fighters, falling into a dire situation where there is not enough new jets to replace old ones like in a certain South Asian country is not an option.

The non-stealth J7/J8/Flankers/J10 have limited future if your expected enemies are going to deploy 5th gen stealth jets, thus these older gen jets need to be replaced in a pace depending on intensity of external threat which currently is getting hotter as time pass.

If J10C and J16 cannot fight off a J20, and if the score is like 10 losses to nil in BVR fight, continuing production of J10C and J16 is less attractive. Thus a J10NG with improved stealth is logical, and suit the constrains of annual military budget.

If J35 can be produced fast enough to replace all older gen jets and stay within the limit of military budget, then J10NG's chance of serving PLAAF may be very slim.

There is also a question whether PLAAF will adopt the navy's J35 or choose their own variant. And what is the time line for the air force's variant to enter mass production?

Do we know the PLA has already accepted the J-35? Just because it is making its maiden flight next year does not mean it will become operational (just like in the maiden flight of the J-35). Did SAC win the contract tender for the next gen carrier fighter? IMO it could be another FC-31 all over again.

 

[lcloo]

Do we know the PLA has already accepted the J-35? Just because it is making its maiden flight next year does not mean it will become operational (just like in the maiden flight of the J-35). Did SAC win the contract tender for the next gen carrier fighter? IMO it could be another FC-31 all over again.

Implication from internet news is that PLA Navy Aviation is the one that will induct J35 for air craft carrier operation. There is not indication that PLAAF has choose J35, at least not yet.

 

[Figaro]

Implication from internet news is that PLA Navy Aviation is the one that will induct J35 for air craft carrier operation. There is not indication that PLAAF has choose J35, at least not yet.

So the navalized J-20 lost against the J-35?

 

[lcloo]

So the navalized J-20 lost against the J-35?

Not sure about whether there is competition between navalised J20 and J31/35. There is no clear information. However, it somehow remind me of the YF-16 vs YF-17 scenario. USAF chose YF-16 while USN went for modified version of YF-17 which evolved into F/A-18.

 

[LKJ86]

So the navalized J-20 lost against the J-35?

The winner can't take all.

 

[Tiqiu]

 

[Figaro]

View attachment 653304

We need to see the J-10C WS-10X serial numbers!!! We already know they're operational but we only have one picture ... with no number.

 

[LKJ86]

J-10A

Via @空军新闻 from Weixin

 

[S10]

J-10A
View attachment 653429 View attachment 653430 View attachment 653431
Via @空军新闻 from Weixin

This guy has logged over 5,200 flight hours and has reached maximum age limit (48) for combat pilots in China. He actually stayed on longer than normal, as most pilots retire around 45 years old.

 

[LKJ86]

J-10S

Via @南部空军 from Weixin

 

[LKJ86]

 

[kungfugymnast]

So the navalized J-20 lost against the J-35?

J-20 wings aren't suited for carrier take off and landing. Carrier based fighter that has fixed wing will be less swept with aerodynamic designed for low speed stability and maneuverability. If you notice, modern day carrier fighters are slower but have good low speed maneuverability. F-35, Rafale, F/A-18E/F are best examples that they can't fly anywhere near Mach 2. Unless it's a swing wing fighter (prone to higher maintenance) or the navy willing to accept risky higher speed landing.

The FC-31 took design cue from F-35 which is why it can't reach Mach 2 top speed. Adding arrestor hook and strengthened landing gears on FC-31 could land on carrier because its design suited for low speed stability and maneuverability.

However, many hope J-35 is larger fighter over 60ft with side bay for dogfight capability and having the needed combat radius for engaging enemy fighters, bombers, ships far before they get into missile range.

This guy has logged over 5,200 flight hours and has reached maximum age limit (48) for combat pilots in China. He actually stayed on longer than normal, as most pilots retire around 45 years old.

It is based on ranks and physical condition. Officer level max age 52 years old while generals that don't have to fly or go to warzone could retire at higher age 60 max. Non-officer maximum 45. As long as you serve more than 20 years from the year you joined active service, you can choose to retire and get retirement benefits or continue serving until max permitted age limit.

 

[LKJ86]

J-10AH and J-10SH

 

[Figaro]

New production J-10 with Taihang