Wow!! Seems to be an old testbed demonstrator. Do you think it's a WS-15?
J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
- Start date
- Status
In fact I just tweeted this … actually I don‘t know since it looks IMO too much exactly like the WS-10B-3, which could be a hint that the B-3 was a testbed for the WS-15‘s nozzle, but also it could mean, this is only the WS-10B-3 and not the WS-15.
„Finally a first clearer image of the J-20 engine testbed - as it seems an older 201x prototype - was posted. Even if still not clear of a TVC-variant of the WS-10C or already the rumoured WS-15, it anyway clearly reveals for the first time the nozzles.„
(Image via )
Has to be. The insignia are not low visibility ones.
1 production line left for the J-10 sounds about right. It will be useful for exports plus the Chinese Air Force can usefully use a modest fleet of mature single-engine 4th gen fighters in scenarios such as ground attack or against lower-tier Air Forces.
Also 48 J-20s per year seems feasible. This was the upper limit of my previous estimates anyway. After 10 years, that would be an extra 480 aircraft.
In comparison, the US already has a significantly larger fleet of 5th gen fighters and is buying 70+ F-35s every year now.
Even if it's just a test bed for WS-10 that's still very useful information. I was arguing about the rumoured prototype with one TVC engine with someone, he agreed it could be a new TVC engine but he maintained it's either WS-10 TVC or even just one engine out test with no dissimilar engine at all. His reasoning was for prototypes with new engines they are likely to use an aircraft in yellow primer and not one painted with the final military paint, particularly if the DSI intake have to be adjusted for the new engine.
But here we see indeed some sort of engine prototype with proper finished military paint and not just yellow primer used this way. Even if this particular aircraft was just testing WS-10 and not TVC engine it makes it more likely that a similar aircraft (perhaps even the very same one) would be used this way to test WS-15.
Concerning the new image showing the J-20 allegedly testing a WS-15 or WS-10 TVC-variant it is noteworthy, that not only the exhaust is different, but also these rear extending sponsons to both the old prototype no. 2017 and the current production variant.
I am confused !!
I am confused !!
The 2022 one has the serrated nozzle engine more buried in it seems.Concerning the new image showing the J-20 allegedly testing a WS-15 or WS-10 TVC-variant it is noteworthy, that not only the exhaust is different, but also these rear extending sponsons to both the old prototype no. 2017 and the current production variant.
I am confused !!
View attachment 81507
Here is something I realized we haven't seen before. WS-10C shock diamonds.
Testing an engine on an old prototype in 2022 in the middle? They would not change again the sponsons.Concerning the new image showing the J-20 allegedly testing a WS-15 or WS-10 TVC-variant it is noteworthy, that not only the exhaust is different, but also these rear extending sponsons to both the old prototype no. 2017 and the current production variant.
I am confused !!
View attachment 81507
- Status