Hyperwarp
Captain
OK, I am cross posting from CDF. This is what SoC said:
SOC said:In the full-size, uncompressed GeoTIFF, it looks like twin engines. The engine bay looks just as wide as on the J-20, and there almost appears to be a visible gap between two exhausts.
in response to:
hyperwarp said:Sean, could you tell whether it was single engined or twin engined? From that blurry image it looks like a single engine.
SOC said:1. Entirely possible. They could be trying to modify the shape to get the RCS as low as possible, perhaps for a "JH-20".
2. The lack of LERXs may be related to aerodynamic issues, possibly issues that would be exacerbated by a) moving the vertical tails forward (as in off of the now-absent tail booms), or b) 3D TVC use.
3. I did speculate that it could simply be incomplete. Hidden under a tarp likely wouldn't provide the exact dimensions as the J-20 or such clear edge definition.
Remember that they did rear-quarter signature work on the pole model at Gaobeidian. This could very well be the result of that work.
in response to:
deino said:Given my very limited abilities to work with painting programs and even more with the images available, I tried my best to scale a regular J-20 (spotted at CAC on 18. July 2015) against this new model
And even if none of my theories are conclusive ... these are my 2 cents:
I have three theories:
1. a random RCS-experiment on a design loosely resembling the J-20 ... but WHY ?
2. indeed a modified J-20 maybe related to the final engine WS-15, a naval-version or whatever .... but since that type must be designed with the WS-15 in mind, I can't imagine requiring it such extensive modifications on the wing-patform to fit them??
3. what if this is a RCS model hidden under a tarpaulin and assisted by certain structures to make it look different ? ... but this won't explain the shortened tails.
As such, I don't have any idea
Deino
