J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII

[james smith esq]

Yes since it is an even older tail configuration we know from the very first two revised prototypes no. 2011 & 2012

I’m sorry but the fuselage only lacks this feature (serrated edges) on the side with the novel engine.

 

[james smith esq]

Also, notice that, unlike in the other test-bed photo, these exhaust nozzles appear to be roughly equal in length. Is it possible that two separate engine tests are going on simultaneously?

 

[Blitzo]

Also, notice that, unlike in the other test-bed photo, these exhaust nozzles appear to be roughly equal in length. Is it possible that two separate engine tests are going on simultaneously?

The left engine is an Al-31, the right engine is the new engine.
The nozzle lengths appear very different to me, which is very apparent when looking at other recent pictures of the aircraft such as this one.

 

[james smith esq]

The left engine is an Al-31, the right engine is the new engine.
The nozzle lengths appear very different to me, which is very apparent when looking at other recent pictures of the aircraft such as this one.

So, your take is that these photos are of the same test-bed? Okay!
And, btw, I know which engine is which!

 

[Blitzo]

Just did a count. This engine seems to have fewer nozzle petals than the WS-10B-3 13 vs 15?

Yeah.

Petal count isn't decisive of course, and it's possible this could still be a WS-10 variant with a new nozzle, but at the same time the last year or so's rumours about J-20 test flying with WS-15 cannot be ignored either.

I'm 50/50 to say that we might be seeing WS-15 here, which is about the highest rating I've ever given to a "possible WS-15 emergence" episode.


What have the usual suspects in the grapevine been saying about these pictures?

 

[Blitzo]

So, our take is that these photos are of the same test-bed? Okay!

Honestly, I didn't even entertain the idea that they would be different airframes.
Do we have a reason to believe there are two different airframes flying, which both happen to have their right engine nozzle (or engine entirely) be visually different from the left?

I would think the most common sense logic, given the multiple pictures over the last half year or so -- see this compilation below made by Deino -- means that this new clearer picture just depicts the same aircraft as taken in all of these images...

 

[by78]

More high-resolution images and screen captures.

 

[by78]

 

[by78]

 

[james smith esq]

Honestly, I didn't even entertain the idea that they would be different airframes.
Do we have a reason to believe there are two different airframes flying, which both happen to have their right engine nozzle (or engine entirely) be visually different from the left?

I would think the most common sense logic, given the multiple pictures over the last half year or so -- see this compilation below made by Deino -- means that this new clearer picture just depicts the same aircraft as taken in all of these images...

Well, I guess it’s a matter of whether I believe you, or my lying eyes! Lol I’m just not seeing the drastic length difference in the latest pic that’s shown in the earlier one. Then again, who knows what adjustments might have been made in the interim.