China's V/STOL studies, concepts & considerations

ACuriousPLAFan

Brigadier
Registered Member
It seems that China is literally just going down the exact same technical route as the US, I mean look at this:
View attachment 155233
Even the clutch is similar in design and concept

Most probably because the shaft-driven lift-fan design employed by the F-35B is the best pathway that current S/VTOL technologies can achieve within the given constrains of a fighter jet.
 
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taxiya

Brigadier
Registered Member
If people here also frequently visit the Chinese space thread, they should be aware that China has been and still is actively working on lots of programs that may never end up in actual application. Just for CZ-9, there are YF-130 (480t), YF-135 (360t), YF-XXX (240t), YF-90 (240t) and YF-215 (200t) being actively developped. It is almost certain that most of them will never get a chance to be used in CZ-9 or any rocket. China has started lots of programs some ten years ago when China's economy growth exploded. Many of the programs are meant to catch up the top level in the world and to master the knowhow even if their use cases have gone. China knows that. So seeing some long running program progressing does not mean China is going to put it in use.
 

Tomboy

Junior Member
Registered Member
I do kinda of wonder what this new VTOL aircraft could look like. Will this aircraft be mainly a strike aircraft or will it be more multirole like F-35B? and what generation will this aircraft be closer to, perhaps a tailless lambda more like J-XDS rather than a single engined J-35?
 

Gloire_bb

Major
Registered Member
The lift fan is slightly larger than F-35's, so it's reasonable to assume that whatever this aircraft is, It'll be of considerable size. Also there's not much overlap of a manned STOVL strike aircraft operating from LHDs and J-35s operating off carriers. They won't even be used by the same branch, J-35 is navy while this aircraft most likely will be operated by the Marines.
For now, it's very unlikely that PLAN MC will operate aircraft.
In US it's a thing for historical reasons (WW2 legacy, which survived during the cold war because USMC could be deployed by the president without Congress).
Even there it's long since redundant, as US president just can do whatever he wants. Institutional inertia.

In China's context, it's meaningless.
 

Tomboy

Junior Member
Registered Member
The engine for the STOVL prototype, it seems. 2200°K TiT, BPR of 0.55, OPR of 30, etc.
View attachment 155971
I'm assuming this engine exists already and has been tested considering one of the tenders said the clutch has been tested with load while hooked up to a twin spool turbofan. It'll be difficult to test the clutch to its full design spec without this specific engine IMO, don't think any other low bypass turbofan core has enough power to drive such a fan at full power.
 
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