It looks really good from that angle.
Chengdu next gen combat aircraft (?J-36) thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
IMO most likely AI or a psed CG!
I want to believe...
lcloo
Major
The first prototype's maiden flight was 9 months' ago. The second prototype should be appearing about this time.
IMO, there will be 5 or 6 prototype for the complete flight testing period which should last 5 to 6 years, ending around 2030 or 2031, provided no bottleneck is encountered.
I remember that there were some rumours that said that we could see substantial changes in these prototypes. Do you guys think there is any weight to them?
If they are internal, it would be impossible for outsiders to verify, but considering that fact these rather advanced prototypes, I feel like that is unlikely.
If they are internal, it would be impossible for outsiders to verify, but considering that fact these rather advanced prototypes, I feel like that is unlikely.
Not substantial, just external changes based on what they learned from flying it.
Frankly I think the top intake doesn't look good. It kinda makes the plane look ugly from the front. And also not sure how much impact it will have rcs wise to have such a huge dsi intake. I would love to see it improved. This top intake is my only complaint about the plane aesthetic wise.
At this stage it doesn't seem like they will make that drastic of a change. But we have seen massive changes from FC-31 to J-35.
Well, the top intake issue is entirely connected with the engine imo. There wasn't an engine powerful enough to ensure the required power from only two of them at the time of design. The question is, are they working on such an engine that can be fitted to future J-36 variants alleviating the need for the third engine? Such an engine, preferably VCE, needs to be at least 20,000 but preferably 22,000 kgf of thrust as the lower end.
On the other hand my understanding was that the Lockheed high end NGAD proposal was supposed to have 4 engines (!). Now whether such a configuration was studied by CAC with say 4 WS-19 engines and why was it rejected would be interesting to know.
But yeah i have to say that top intake has been rubbing me the wrong way too lately.
On the other hand my understanding was that the Lockheed high end NGAD proposal was supposed to have 4 engines (!). Now whether such a configuration was studied by CAC with say 4 WS-19 engines and why was it rejected would be interesting to know.
But yeah i have to say that top intake has been rubbing me the wrong way too lately.