Asking for an ACE/VCE VTOL engine is insanity. I'm not sure even PW and GE can do this right now. It would be one massive headache.
China's V/STOL studies, concepts & considerations
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After investigating a large number of tenders related to the Shenyang Engine Research Institute (Institute 606), it is now clear that they are manufacturing the first prototype of STOVL lift-fan & turbofan engine (the so-called "integrated lift-thrust power system"). Tender information can be seen for the assembly, testing, and transportation equipment of the lift fan (tendered under the name "counter-rotating fan"), as well as for clutch friction plates (the tender announcement requires them to withstand speeds of ≥9,000 RPM and torque of ≥4,500 Nm!), bearings, drive shafts, and engineering work related to the modification of test benches, etc. Most of the tender requirements are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, and I believe they will begin actual testing in the first half of 2026.
Some disgruntled Lockheed employee sold it to AVIC after discovering Rednote.
Does this mean that unfortunately a potential STOVL fighter is years away? (unless another engine maker had a STOVL engine/system ready earlier that we don't know about)
Detection and Reverse Design of Key Components in the Gas Generator of an Integrated Lift-Thrust Propulsion System
I. Research Content (Essential Requirements):
(1) Dimensional inspection of key components of the gas generator;
(2) Physical and chemical testing and analysis of materials for key components of the gas generator;
(3) Reverse engineering design of key components of the gas generator;
(4) Disassembly, cleaning, and delivery of benchmark components of the gas generator.
FYI
China’s research on STOVL propulsion systems began about 10 years ago, but progress was initially slow. It only accelerated significantly after 2020, as evidenced by the increase in the number of research papers and patents. The development is clearly led by the 606 Institute, likely under the requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan. I believe they will complete engine testing during the 15FYP period and simultaneously begin the formal development of STOVL aircraft. We can expect to see the results of the next phase by the end of the 15FYP period (around 2030).
XA100/101: Hello?
This is not even new technology as both companies already moved on from this design. Considering this engine is meant to be in service in the 2030s, similar design spec to these are the bare minimum to stay relevant. F-135 copy is just not good enough.
I don't even know what's there to learn even if they have a F-135 on hand, It's a two decade old engine based on a 3 decade old core. Chinese aeroengine technology should have advanced far beyond this by now in terms of both design and materials.
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I don’t think STVOL is a priority for PLA.
F-135 also has a RVABI, if you read the patent its due to changing bypass ratio when going from cruise to VTOL mode. F-135 also does this and it's definitely not a VCE.
Big shame if this plane is just a crappy F-35B copy, the darn thing is 20 years old and it doesn't help with the 'China can only copy"" narrative. Just when I thought we were beyond the catching up and copying phase and into the innovation phase...
you know pretty well.. 606 also working on VCE/ACE and most likely is in advance stages of development even further ahead of that CAS next gen engine.
whether copy F-135B or not but the thing is, they also have XA100/XA102 equivalent engine in development.
and its too early to talk about STOVL WS-XX engine specifications.