Re: New Generation Fighter
Okay, here goes!
First of all, hello to everyone here.
I'm kind'a new, so I expect to unintentionally offend some of you here as that seems to be how it goes in virtual communications.
So, anyway!
From reading posts in this forum, it seems that many of us are getting our info from much the same sources. So, my questions won't solicit speculation as to the design or nomenclature of the J-XX finished product, but inquire more into the processes by which that product will be achieved.
So, first, do we expect that the Chinese defnse industry will attempt to introduce the J-XX as a wholly synthesized indigenous pkg, including: a new airframe, engine, radar, and avionics, or do we expext that these elements will be introduced separately?
Second, does anyone know of a good source of information on progress being made with the ws10a/g and ws-15 turbofans?
It seems to me that mastering the development and mass production of these engines is vital to the evolution of a 4++ - 5th generation aircraft.
Third, do we expect that the J-XX will actually be intended to achieve parity with the 5th generation F-22 and T-50, or do we expect that it will be intended to achieve superiority over the 4++ generation Rafle and Typhoon?
I ask this because several sources suggest that the J-XX will be a canard based platform and my understanding is that canards increase the RCS. Am I misinformed on this point? And, yes, I do recognize that this last question does engage in speculation as to the design of the J-XX finished product, but it does so to gain an understanding of the designers' intentions.
Thanks!!!
No, you won't offend anyone, as you are new. I'll try my best to answer your questions good sir.
I am not quite sure what you mean by "introduced separately." A 5th generation fighter jet is a complete system. However, in terms of the J-XX or J-20, I would say it is likely that the first 25-50 of the jets will use improved WS-10 engines, sometimes known as the WS-10G. Later ones will use the super-cruising engine, which is presumably the WS-15.
There is extremely few reliable sources of information on Chinese military developments period, let alone engine development. Personally, I know no good English sources for that, but Maya seems to be the most knowledgeable on this forum.
Third, we don't know that much about the J-XX, but it will have:
supercruise
stealth
super-maneuverability
Most people would argue that the J-XX would be in between the T-50 and F22 in terms of overall capability.
But I caution having too much confidence on the F22. Yes, the J-XX's canards would affect its RCS, but both the Chinese and Russians are taking a different approach to 5th gen fighters than the US is. The US has put a lot of effort in stealth, and while the advantages of stealth are numerable, it cannot be the only thing considered:
The F22 will almost certainly have superior super-cruise than J-XX
However, the F22 only has 2 dimension thrust vectoring. Both the T-50 and the J-XX (presumably) will have 3D vectoring, correct me if I am wrong but I think that gives the JXX an advantage.
Both will have AESA radars, it's hard to say which will be more advanced, the US is ahead but the radars themselves will be 10+ years old by then (that is a long time in electronics terms).
The J-XX will probably have an IRST system, which the F22 lacks.
The JXX is likely to have a superior cockpit featuring a single LCD screen, compared to the multiple screens of the F22.
The F22 will certainly be stealthier in both radar and IR compared to the JXX, however that will come at the cost of greatly increased maintenance costs and logistical problems.
Therefore, the JXX and F22 will both have their respective strengths.
It is not the JXX/J-20 - so what is it that SAC 601 is testing there??
