Chinese Engine Development

by78

General
I would agree with you ordinarily. But since they've been mentioning it and dropping hints all over the place, and with all the recent "strategic air force" noises, I can't help but wonder what comes after "next."

But yeah, it'll still be a long shot.

Or they could perhaps show a scale model at Zhuhai, or drop some hints on specs and other crumbs of technical info (on subsystems, munitions, etc.). Heck, I'd be happy if they could just let us know when the maiden flight is expected.

A man can dream, but I'm off-topic now.
 

Xizor

Captain
Registered Member
Heard, yes. Actually seen ws13 on serial production planes anywhere, no. Not even after a decade since the alleged first test integration on a jf17 airframe.
Serial production / Low rate initial production seems to have been initiated for WS-13E.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Serial production / Low rate initial production seems to have been initiated for WS-13E.


But for what type? I must admit, the WS-13 is for ma an as mythical engine like once the WP-14 Kunlun was: There have been reports for years, always "in LRIP" or "soon in operational use" but always without any hard evidence and as it seems all J-8H/F in the end still had to rely on the proven WP-13.

As such, my point is for which type? The PLAAF has no fighter type that uses it, the PAF confirmed uses only Russian RD-93, ... some UAV/UCAVs? But which one? ... and so the best bet are the two FC-31 demonstrators and eventually the J-35. But why producing it already (and allegedly since years) when the end-user is not even ready?
 

latenlazy

Brigadier
But for what type? I must admit, the WS-13 is for ma an as mythical engine like once the WP-14 Kunlun was: There have been reports for years, always "in LRIP" or "soon in operational use" but always without any hard evidence and as it seems all J-8H/F in the end still had to rely on the proven WP-13.

As such, my point is for which type? The PLAAF has no fighter type that uses it, the PAF confirmed uses only Russian RD-93, ... some UAV/UCAVs? But which one? ... and so the best bet are the two FC-31 demonstrators and eventually the J-35. But why producing it already (and allegedly since years) when the end-user is not even ready?
We have seen it on display on the convention floor before though.
 

Deino

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
We have seen it on display on the convention floor before though.


Agreed and similar to WS-14s at several Airshows, but do we have a confirmed clear image of a WS-13 where even differences to a RD-93 are visible and even more a confirmed image where one is mounted in an aircraft? IMO not!
 
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