Chinese Engine Development

Alfa_Particle

Junior Member
Registered Member
I am a bit confused regarding different types of WS-XX engine, would someone please point out where each engine type is fitted to the various fighter jets?
Here's a basic overview. DO NOT TAKE THE FIGURES I LISTED AS FACTUAL. THEY'RE MERELY FOR REFERENCE, AND NOT CONFIRMED.

WS-9: Based on the Rolls Royce Spey. Used by JH-7/7A.

WS-10 series: Low bypass, high-thrust class, equipped on J-10C, J-11B and later models, J-16, interim engine for J-20 (WS-10C), and soon to be equipped on J-15B. Basically equivalent to the F110. Developed from the CFM-56 core, with AL-31 characteristics. Dramatic improvement in TBO time, thrust, reliability, etc. as development went on. There's also a 3D TVC testbed equipped on a J-10. WS-10B *allegedly* have a wet thrust of ~130-140 kN.

WS-13: Low bypass, medium-thrust class, developed from RD-93. Equipped allegedly on the JF-17, and FC-31/J-35 prototypes. Developed into the WS-13E/21.

WS-15: Low bypass, high-thrust class, potentially the most advanced high-thrust engine to be fitted in a twin-engine fighter yet. Indigenous design, basically the equivalent to the F119. To be fitted in J-20A and potentially the J-20S. *Allegedly* have a wet thrust of ~181 kN.

WS-17: Low bypass, low-thrust class, and (I believe) non-afterburning. Equipped in trainer jets like the JL-10.

WS-18: Medium bypass, developed from the Soviet D-30. Equipped as an interim option on Y/YY-20.

WS-19: Low bypass, medium-thrust class. Indigenous design, equivalent to the EJ-2x0/F414-EPE. Currently undergoing tests and to be equipped on the J-35/31 (if such model exists). ‘Confirmed’ thrust of around 10 tonnes-force (~98 kN), but I've heard figures of a maximum wet thrust of ~112.8 kN (UNCONFIRMED).

WS-20: High bypass, based on the WS-10 core. There's also rumours saying it's based on the CFM-56-5B. To be equipped on Y/YY-20.

WS-21: Also known as WS-13E, developed from the base WS-13. Improved life cycle , MBTO and thrust. Interim engine option for the J-35/31. Per @sunnymaxi, 9 tonnes-force (88 kN) for wet thrust. Wikipedia states 100 kN though for whatever reason.

WS-6/8/12 are cancelled projects.

we have official confirmation from Chief designer. WS-19 total thrust will be 10 tons.

WS-13E aka WS-21 currently powered J-35 as interim engine have 9 tons of thrust. this is also confirmed by Chief designer..

View attachment 126171

WS-21 is a advanced variant of WS-13 engine. incorporate latest components/material. improved life cycle , MBTO and thrust too. massively improved machine as compared to base variant..

WS-13/WS-21/WS-19 developed by ''Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation'' under AECC.. same institute is responsible for latest WS-17 engine for trainer aircraft..
I thought Liming is also involved in WS-13/19?

Also, for the WS-19, is it 10 tonnes-force on the dot? Surely they won't have a completely new engine just for a 10 kN difference? Is it at least 100+ kN?
 

sunnymaxi

Captain
Registered Member
I thought Liming is also involved in WS-13/19?

Also, for the WS-19, is it 10 tonnes-force on the dot? Surely they won't have a completely new engine just for a 10 kN difference? Is it at least 100+ kN?
Liming isn't involved in this category class engines..

Liming have other big projects.. WS-10/WS-20/WS-15.. Liming works in partnership with ''Xian Aero-engine corporation''. for example , WS-15 designed by Liming but serial production responsibility lies on Xian.

10 tons thrust means you can take 100+KN..

i know what are you saying, how can WS-19 have just 10 kn more thrust as compared to WS-13/WS-21.. thrust is not everything. WS-19 will be 5th generation engine and share same material/components what AECC used in WS-15.. and 10+ tons thrust is just a base variant. in near future you can see more advance/powerful variants..
 

Alfa_Particle

Junior Member
Registered Member
Liming isn't involved in this category class engines..

Liming have other big projects.. WS-10/WS-20/WS-15.. Liming works in partnership with ''Xian Aero-engine corporation''. for example , WS-15 designed by Liming but serial production responsibility lies on Xian.

10 tons thrust means you can take 100+KN..

i know what are you saying, how can WS-19 have just 10 kn more thrust as compared to WS-13/WS-21.. thrust is not everything. WS-19 will be 5th generation engine and share same material/components what AECC used in WS-15.. and 10+ tons thrust is just a base variant. in near future you can see more advance/powerful variants..
I am aware that max thrust isn't everything, but if it's below 100 kN that puts some doubt about J-35's supercruise capabilities. Just slightly concerned.

But it's probably 100+ anyways. Here's to hoping the engine will mature even more in time.
 

sunnymaxi

Captain
Registered Member
Do we have any detail in what the WS-21 differs to the WS-13? … and why it gained an independent designation as if it is even more modern than the WS-19?
there is no available details regarding WS-21 engine except that, they improved machine just to accommodate J-35 until WS-19 come online..

but the interesting part is, why they did designate the new name of improved WS-13 engine. it maybe indicate WS-21 is far more superior to WS-13 but superior to WS-19 ? i don't think so because WS-13 is identical copy of RD-93 engine. WS-13E aka WS-21 this is where China played their game just like they did with J-16. basic design from Russian and rest everything indigenous and better..
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
I am aware that max thrust isn't everything, but if it's below 100 kN that puts some doubt about J-35's supercruise capabilities. Just slightly concerned.

But it's probably 100+ anyways. Here's to hoping the engine will mature even more in time.
No not really. What counts here is the attainable thrust at different parts of the flight envelope not the total thrust. Just because two engines have identical max thrust at static sea level figures doesn’t mean they share the same thrust at different speeds and altitudes.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
there is no available details regarding WS-21 engine except that, they improved machine just to accommodate J-35 until WS-19 come online..

but the interesting part is, why they did designate the new name of improved WS-13 engine. it maybe indicate WS-21 is far more superior to WS-13 but superior to WS-19 ? i don't think so because WS-13 is identical copy of RD-93 engine. WS-13E aka WS-21 this is where China played their game just like they did with J-16. basic design from Russian and rest everything indigenous and better..


Thanks … by the way, what do you think about the latest Pakistani claims, the latest batch of JF-17Cs are using WS-13 engines?
My gut feeling tells me it is yet another overhyped report from Pakistan lately like so many ones - just look at the J-31 discussion and claims the „new“ JF-17 PFX might be a joint semi-stealthy Arab/Mulsim Thunder-Plus - we get. On the other side, the friend who told me this, is IMO very credible and I trust him.
 
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