Ask anything Thread (Air Force)

ChineseToTheBone

New Member
Registered Member
Would it really be significantly more preferable for the lighter weight next generation fighter jet to only use a single engine instead of two?

I read elsewhere how it might be a large reason for the authorities hesitating on further developing the Shenyang FC-31 with its twin engines, where higher forecasted costs make it economically unfeasible for manufacturing in large numbers and eventually replacing the Chengdu J-10 in the future. I suppose this would be assuming that maintenance for a single more powerful engine in each new airframe uses comparably less resources, as it comes down to managing expenditures for a mass production stealth fighter jet.
 

Hyperwarp

Captain
People, is there any info available on Active Cancellation projects in China? By Active-Cancellation, I mean fighter-borne systems like in the Rafale?
Any hints whether the J-10C or J-16 has such systems?

Thanks in advance
Hyper.
 

gelgoog

Brigadier
Registered Member
Would it really be significantly more preferable for the lighter weight next generation fighter jet to only use a single engine instead of two?

I read elsewhere how it might be a large reason for the authorities hesitating on further developing the Shenyang FC-31 with its twin engines, where higher forecasted costs make it economically unfeasible for manufacturing in large numbers and eventually replacing the Chengdu J-10 in the future. I suppose this would be assuming that maintenance for a single more powerful engine in each new airframe uses comparably less resources, as it comes down to managing expenditures for a mass production stealth fighter jet.

Just check the cost of the Su-35 vs the MiG-35. They have similar costs. Single engine aircraft typically are less expensive to manufacture and repair. One example would be the F-15 vs the F-16. One of the most complex parts in an aircraft is the engine. The more parts an aircraft has the more man hours it typically takes to assemble it not to mention to inspect and repair it.

To be honest, like I said here before, I think the Chinese should hold separate light-weight fighter competitions for the PLANAF and PLAAF. Much like the USA did in the 1980s with the F/A-18 and the F-16. Until Chinese engines become more reliable it is a bad idea to use a dual-engine aircraft in a carrier borne aircraft because recovery of crews at sea is much more difficult and you typically have a worse operating environment at sea. Like corrosion.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
An 225 like C5 and An125 are the perfect tools for that single job you need to do once every five years. Their size and needs out weight there utility most of the time, the repair and upkeep bill is as monsterous as they are. They need a hundred tons of TLC to keep them flying. Yet their only absolutely needed once in a while. A lifter like a C17 or Il76 or Y20 has more use.
 

PhilFYW

New Member
Registered Member
According to this picture canards have a greater max lift coefficient compared to lerxes. Does anyone know why, considering they are both vortex generators?
 

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Air Force Brat

Brigadier
Super Moderator
An 225 like C5 and An125 are the perfect tools for that single job you need to do once every five years. Their size and needs out weight there utility most of the time, the repair and upkeep bill is as monsterous as they are. They need a hundred tons of TLC to keep them flying. Yet their only absolutely needed once in a while. A lifter like a C17 or Il76 or Y20 has more use.

Exactly why the C-130 continues in production 60 years after first flight, course some of that is just Lock Mart Magic!
 

Biscuits

Major
Registered Member
People, is there any info available on Active Cancellation projects in China? By Active-Cancellation, I mean fighter-borne systems like in the Rafale?
Any hints whether the J-10C or J-16 has such systems?

Thanks in advance
Hyper.

No, the EW kit is largely unknown. There is an anecdotal report that a J-10 of unknown version prevented a Vietnamese Su-30MKV from locking on during an intercept, as well as the J-10C being markted as semi stealthy.

Given the general level of EW development in China, it would be prudent to assume it has a similar or superior jamming function, but with the capabilities being declassified, it is impossible to draw any exact conclusions.
 
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