Could it be ws15?In fact I don't know what to think right now ... I'm surprised that after the long waiting for years, the reaction on this finally clearer image is rather surprisingly low. This might be based on the fact, that this images leaves some more open questions than it gives answers, since we have been fooled so often recently:
My biggest concerns are:
- the grey surface of the J-20 is too smooth (looks edited afterwards)
- the first known photo of a J-20 prototype + WS-15 shows it with a red star on the tail unit, the new photo shows the no. 2012 (so either another prototype, or different date of photo?)
- I always assumed that the length of the afterburner nozzle differs, but this does not seem to be the case here (almost the same length as AL-31FN)
... and there is, unusually, almost no discussion about this photo?
So what is the current status? Real or fake, real and edited? I actually don't know but maybe this helps to identify.
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J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII
- Thread starter siegecrossbow
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Could it be ws15?
I'm pretty sure - if the image is indeed legit (and from all I heard it seems so) - yes, it is the WS-15.
Da Graphic Designer e infografica, guardo l'immagine e a parte qualche piccolissimo (legittimo) dubbio su alcune riflessioni che potrebbero allo stesso modo essere assolutamente autentiche, direi che se fosse un PS, davvero tanto di complimenti al creatore. Secondo me autentico. Anche perché se siamo quasi al CIO qualcosa deve essere volato in questi due anni....
"As a Graphic Designer and infographic, I look at the image and apart from some very small (legitimate) doubts about some reflections that could equally be absolutely authentic, I would say that if it were a PS, really many compliments to the creator. Authentic in my opinion. Also because if we are almost at the CIO something must have flown in these two years...."
Antennas for communication with the new very low orbit satellites, or high altitude drones?
J-20AS is still undergoing testing/evaluation with the PLAAF and not yet in active service?
Indeed … not yet in service and I would not be surprised if the serial version of the twinseater will be more akin to the J-20B with WS-15 than again an interim version with WS-10C. But who knows?
Possibly panel gaps & access hatches that haven’t been treated with RAM coating yet? It’s still undergoing testing (presumably) so maybe they’re regularly removing those for adjustments and other purposes and replacing the coating is too much of a hassle.
They are taking their sweet time with this one. Unlike J-20B it is not a must have in the immediate future.
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