Chengdu J-20 5th Generation Aircraft News & Discussions

[LeGenD]

Well, I am respecting the statement of the Moderator of this thread, and will not expand on my arguments further.

@Figaro
@FairAndUnbiased

Both gentlemen offer thought-provoking arguments. Credit where due.

 

[Saahir Malik]

A single-seat, multirole stealth fighter aircraft, the Chengdu J-20 is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) of China.
It is a fifth-generation aircraft being built for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Its Nato reporting name is Black Eagle. Two prototypes were developed in November 2010 for aerial and ground testing.
Potential customers of the J-20 are Pakistan, the Middle East, Latin America, South-East Asia and African countries.

 

[Deino]

Well, I am respecting the statement of the Moderator of this thread, and will not expand on my arguments further.

@Figaro
@FairAndUnbiased

Both gentlemen offer thought-provoking arguments. Credit where due.

It was not my intention to kill the discussion and if you like I would move it into a better fitting thread.

 

[LeGenD]

It was not my intention to kill the discussion and if you like I would move it into a better fitting thread.

No need, my friend. You made the right call.

 

[Figaro]

Potential customers of the J-20 are Pakistan, the Middle East, Latin America, South-East Asia and African countries.

No potential export customers for now ... it isn't even cleared for export and probably won't be for this entire decade.

 

[kungfugymnast]

Not only Su-30MKI can detect J-20 from 200Km away. There is prove Su-30MKI is actually more stealthy than J-20. Indian pilot Abhinandan flow within visual distance of J-20 without J-20 even notice it. A selfie was taken by Abhinandan on his new MKI.
View attachment 670312

If IAF really posted this photo claiming it as evidence will end up putting IAF the laughing stock. It is obvious the J-20 and the sky are photoshop with very poor editing done. The claim at 200km away is already too exaggerated.

 

[kungfugymnast]

Actually I think it is quite cheap, since J-20 merely enter mass production phase now, and it is a twin engine heavy fighter.

At this price tag, China can afford to use J-20 as its sole 5th gen fighter (at least for PLAAF), J-20 WS-10 as low end fighter(cheaper, and better range thanks to high bypass ratio engine), and J-20 with WS-15 as high end fighter(better flight characters).

You're probably right. J-20C with WS15 engines might receives design modification and would look slightly different from J-20B with WS-10. PLAAF could afford to build at least 200 J-20B before J-20C enter service

 

[Figaro]

You're probably right. J-20C with WS15 engines might receives design modification and would look slightly different from J-20B with WS-10. PLAAF could afford to build at least 200 J-20B before J-20C enter service

I heard the intakes would be altered considerably to accommodate the WS-15s' low bypass ratio, versus the WS-10s relatively high ratio.

 

[laser911]

Facts:

1. US has been making stealth planes since the 1970s. F-22 is the 3rd stealth plane it has made, after F-117 and B-2.

2. J-20 is the first stealth plane that China has made.

Even a child would know that China cannot beat the US in stealth tech with just 1 plane.

Actually, a MIG21/J7 and a J8 have been modified for stealth tech testing in 1980s. I guess you can say nobody can make better aircraft than US as the first plane was made by US.

 

[kungfugymnast]

I heard the intakes would be altered considerably to accommodate the WS-15s' low bypass ratio, versus the WS-10s relatively high ratio.

Agree, as usual with most significant modifications made besides the air intake will be the rear and probably the bubble canopy, radome and wings too. The more powerful WS15 would surely change the requirements.

 

[Deino]

Agree, as usual with most significant modifications made besides the air intake will be the rear and probably the bubble canopy, radome and wings too. The more powerful WS15 would surely change the requirements.

Why would the canopy need some changes?

 

[kungfugymnast]

Why would the canopy need some changes?

FC-31 changed its canopy to YF-23 style that is believed to be stealthier than F-22. If this proven better than expect J-20 to follow.

 

[Deino]

FC-31 changed its canopy to YF-23 style that is believed to be stealthier than F-22. If this proven better than expect J-20 to follow.

But the canopy already changed twice during the J-20's development phase, I think it is fine as it is .. and the FC-31 did not change the outline, but only how much of the canopy opens.

 

[Figaro]

FC-31 changed its canopy to YF-23 style that is believed to be stealthier than F-22. If this proven better than expect J-20 to follow.

The J-20 canopy also changed, first from the 2001/2002 demonstrators to the 2011 prototype, and then again from the 2011 prototype to the LRIP models. But what does the canopy have to do with switching an engine though? IMO the canopy is already ideal.

 

[CIA Mole]

What is role of j20? To shoot off missiles and kill support aircraft?

If so why need canards, tvc, and good maneuverability? Just to evade missiles and run away?

For such a role why not use unmanned fighter? Perhaps even suicide drone to deliver AA missiles.