I saw J-16 is in full rate production. But I have some doubts regarding the engines.
China lacks AL-31F so they're using WS-10 for some of their more modern planes.
But is WS-10 powerful enough for a fully sized bird of the size and weapons load of the J-16?
Perhaps they're using the WS-10B instead of the less powerful A, but is that design mature enough, reliable enough for such important plane and role?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Well, IMHO, China does not "lack" AL-31's. I think China could get all the AL-31's that they want if they want them. The Russians have been selling the Chinese AL-31F's and would be more than happy to keep the business going if this is their choice.
The issue at hand is that the Chinese don't want it anymore and that's because they have WS-10, which is just as capable if not more.
They now install WS-10 on not only J-11B's, but J-10B's and at least one J-15. Not because they can't find any AL-31's, but because they have made the decision to install their indigenous engines. That is a simple reflection of their confidence in the WS-10 engines.
So to answer your question, this would be a strong suggestion that the design is mature enough, reliable enough for such important plane and role.
