J-20 5th Gen Fighter Thread VIII

[siegecrossbow]

Thank you! That was an excellent read.

Its actually quite astounding just how much the final product ended up matching the original theorycrafting. I'm sure there were many smaller revisions and compromises on the way, but overall it seemed they nailed down the fundamentals* and then smoothly (not to mention quickly!) materialised an accurate theory into a useful reality.

*The only point that stuck out was the Caret intakes. I'm guessing DSI hadn't been fully explored yet. I'm just trying to imagine a J-20 with Caret intakes haha, on a non-serious point I wonder if it would look better or worse aesthetically!

Anyway, I've got many rabbit holes to go down now. I'm going to get started on that reading list.

Not only caret intakes but also belly intakes. Canards are close coupled in the OG design for better vortex generation. But in the end they went for the stealthier design as requirements changed.

 

[latenlazy]

Not only caret intakes but also belly intakes. Canards are close coupled in the OG design for better vortex generation. But in the end they went for the stealthier design as requirements changed.

They also didn’t have the over body camber. That didn’t show up until the pre-production prototype. Suggests they basically went back to the wind tunnel after the 200x series.

 

[by78]

Slats and flaps deployed.

 

[00CuriousObserver]

How many J-20 has been produced so far? Whats the latest estimate? I read here somewhere there was a slowdown last year?

"At the time of writing in mid-2024, I cautiously estimate that the J-20 fleet size may approach 300 airframes. It must be noted that future J-20 production rates may change (either increase or decrease) as the program proceeds. PLA secrecy and the difficult nature of attaining consistent high-quality satellite imagery means any “concrete” estimate of the J-20 fleet size is likely to be meaningfully behind from facts on the ground at any given time, though may serve as a useful “minimum floor” estimate."

By Rick. So by now, maybe 350ish in fleet? Maybe 400ish produced?

Just as a rough estimate.

 

[InfamousMeow]

It was more than 2 years ago that we get the batch number CB07156.

Do we have any photographed evidence of a batch number that is larger than CB07156 till now?

 

[Deino]

It was more than 2 years ago that we get the batch number CB07156.

Do we have any photographed evidence of a batch number that is larger than CB07156 till now?

Nope and if you know me I'm behind each c/n like the devil behind a lost soul! Unfortunately indeed CB07156 posted in January 2023 is still the highest confirmed c/n (at least I know)!

 

[Deino]

There is a difference between power and RF GaN.

For defense related RF GaN, they got into it at much earlier point.

A defense analysts recently pretty much confirmed that J-20 uses GaN TR modules, so while there hasn't been any indication either way, I would think it is more likely 055 use GaN MMIC (since they are about the same time in joining service). It's really not that new of a technology. Bleeding edge is Gallium Oxide MMIC.

May I ask, where this was stated by whom?

 

[tphuang]

May I ask, where this was stated by whom?

I think I posted this in radar thread a while back.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1872790885102190645

this analyst said PLAAF's front line aircraft moved to GaN TR modules a long time ago.

 

[Deino]

Thanks!

 

[Biscuits]

Perhaps this is semantics, but would you say the J-20 was designed to be firstly an air-superiority fighter and with interceptor as its emphasised secondary role, or firstly as an interceptor with air-superiority as the emphasised secondary role?

It seems to be clearer that the J-35 was designed as a multirole fighter with an emphasis on air-superiority, as like how the F-35 is a multirole with an emphasis on strike.

Air superiority and interceptor in modern terms mean nearly the same thing. The only difference is that the latter is usually left to more high end fighters, since they need the extra performance to penetrate enemy defenses and hunt them on the enemy terms, rather than just neutral air superiority.

I think at the start when there was not that many J-20, they would be the designated interceptor aircraft. But today, there's enough to fill a wide variety of roles.

In 2025, J-20 would still be the go to if say radar finds evidence of F-22 formation over Kyushu, we have to fly there fast to fuck them up. But unlike in 2019, J-20 can not ONLY be spared for that purpose but can be spared for "easier" missions.

And in some years, J-20 will probably leave interception/deep penetration missions to J-36 and only fly alongside as backup if at all. Basically what J-16 does today.