They build 186 F-22 and more or less scrapped the production line... For the opponents that US faced, there was nothing requiring the use of it. Just fell in a gap without worthy opponents and probably will never face one before retirement.
J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
Not sure if posted already:
The US claims China has been stealing US technology to make their own copycat of the F-22 Raptor, known as the J-20 Mighty Dragon. We compare the stealth, accuracy, and radar technology of the two fighter jets. - US propaganda/Misinformation Outlet Business Insider
USA vs China Fighter Jets | Balance Of Power | Insider
The US claims China has been stealing US technology to make their own copycat of the F-22 Raptor, known as the J-20 Mighty Dragon. We compare the stealth, accuracy, and radar technology of the two fighter jets. - US propaganda/Misinformation Outlet Business Insider
Why post it then?
Acc. to a Turkish military aviation photographer, who visited Poland for a routine photo op involving two Dutch F-35s; they actually set up "extremely precise, climate controlled tents" for the forward deployed F-35s.
See the thread:
It'd make sense if they had a similar solution for the J-20, considering it's RAM material and application might be delicate since it was China's first attempt at operational low observability.
Except they hadn't yet reached a level of technological advancement that could match Western or Soviet aircraft, and they weren't the no.2 (i hate using the term super-)power either.
You could theoretically come up with some calculations that are close enough, but nothing beats having a closer look. These aren't <4.5th gen aircraft, even by 2040 some tech could still be sensitive.
Acc. to a Turkish military aviation photographer, who visited Poland for a routine photo op involving two Dutch F-35s; they actually set up "extremely precise, climate controlled tents" for the forward deployed F-35s.
See the thread:
It'd make sense if they had a similar solution for the J-20, considering it's RAM material and application might be delicate since it was China's first attempt at operational low observability.
The problem isn't because of RAM, it is because of cooling. Somebody made an unfortunate decision of cooling the electronics with fuel. The problem is when F-35 is parked under the sun, it gets too hot for the electronics to work properly, hence the climate controlled tents.
I agree with you on what you've mentioned being a part of it, it's for the same reason why maintenance personnel can't step on the aircraft, do their regular shenanigans all over 5th gens; things that need regular maintenance interaction are usually gathered around landing gear covers, weapon bays and some hatches that are reserved for this purpose. There are instances when you can't even touch some of the surfaces on the plane.
Compate this to what they had on the Tomcat:
Heck I even remember when a newly delivered Dutch F-35 got accidentally sprayed with foam instead of water, and that caused significant damage to not just the RAM material but to the plane as well.
We've seen photos of PLAAF parking loads of J-20 out on the tarmac in a line just like any other piece of equipment though, it doesn't seem like J-20 RAM is so fragile that they have to baby'd to the degree that they must sit in climate controlled tents.
Yes but otoh F-35s don't sit in a climate controlled tent/hangar all the time either. After all, these materials are applied on aircraft that regularly operate in -70/+50 °C environments, they have to be quite durable.