J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread V

[Blitzo]

Well, I think there are lots of reasons for EFTs . They're added versatility for all sorts of situations. I just thought the supersonic/supercruise bit was one interesting use of them since someone asked about EFTs and supercruise.

I think EFTs for Chinese stealth fighters, in the foreseeable future of China's security environment, would be limited in use to a rather specific set of circumstances (i.e.: jettisoning them once they exit friendly airspace).

Overall, they are versatile of course, and the primary means is via increasing range and/or endurance.


And yeah, to be honest I'm not exactly sure what kwaig's idea about EFT and supersonic flight really means

 

[danielchin]

looks like the PLAAF hasn't made up their mind about the paint scheme.
Chinese forum speculated this is the #5 production bird.

 

[Deino]

Yeppp ... IMO the one that had its maiden flight in January.

 

[kwaigonegin]

How would they be useful? Useful in the sense that they are jettisoned before going supersonic (whether it's wet or dry/supercruise) and thus enhancing the overall endurance of the aircraft overall, or are you suggesting EFTs would be maintained on the aircraft during supersonic air combat maneuvres?

I find the latter to be highly unlikely, and I consider the prospect of any stealth aircraft carrying EFTs in non-friendly airspace/contested airspace to be unlikely.

That's correct. Sorry if I wasn't clear. No, obviously EFTs would be a crutch and defeat the purpose of stealth LOL

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

I am curious anyone know how much fuel these tanks are loaded with? They look substantial in scale compared to the bird and we have 4 of them so that has to be a lot of Go juice. I mean J20 sits between F15 and SU27 in size. Raptor is 2 meters shorter than J20, It's drop tanks are 600 gallon models and in theory she an be loaded with 4 but I have never seen a picture of a F22 with 4 tanks they always seem to just have 2 and those 2can carry more gas then the fighter can internally. so 4 has to be atleast equal to the internal fuel of the J20

 

[Equation]

I am curious anyone know how much fuel these tanks are loaded with? They look substantial in scale compared to the bird and we have 4 of them so that has to be a lot of Go juice. I mean J20 sits between F15 and SU27 in size. Raptor is 2 meters shorter than J20, It's drop tanks are 600 gallon models and in theory she an be loaded with 4 but I have never seen a picture of a F22 with 4 tanks they always seem to just have 2 and those 2can carry more gas then the fighter can internally. so 4 has to be atleast equal to the internal fuel of the J20

I think the F22 could carry up to 4 fuel tanks if it need be. I just think the US Air Force has a good AWAC and air refueling system within reach of the F22 that it doesn't need to carry 4 fuel drop tanks. Now as for the J-20 it does because of it's base location and distance needing to travel without sufficient mid air fuel tanking planes(for now) to go by.

 

[Equation]

Yeppp ... IMO the one that had its maiden flight in January.

View attachment 36570

I like the top one best.

 

[TerraN_EmpirE]

I think the F22 could carry up to 4 fuel tanks if it need be. I just think the US Air Force has a good AWAC and air refueling system within reach of the F22 that it doesn't need to carry 4 fuel drop tanks. Now as for the J-20 it does because of it's base location and distance needing to travel without sufficient mid air fuel tanking planes(for now) to go by.

Raptor does have 4 plumbed hard points for drop tanks. My question is though how much fuel are these J20 fuel tanks packing?

 

[Inst]

Funny, why haven't we seen the J-20 with digital camo yet?

 

[Hyperwarp]

Yeppp ... IMO the one that had its maiden flight in January.

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I like the 2nd one a lot more. The 1st one makes it look like a.....(see below)