Brumby
Major
The JH-XX only exist in the internet. Until we see something official it is all speculation.
The JH-XX only exist in the internet. Until we see something official it is all speculation.
Brumby
Major
This was floated by Jiji press when they were reporting the 2020 budget.
I'm more curious about the light colored patterns that is on the surface of this plane.
if they are electronic plasma generators then it could be making the plane able to turn anyway it wants without the need of rudders or any other mechanical air flow displacement mechanism.
The thrust vectoring would work in tandem with it.
Just picking up a bit on the laminar flow piece. I am generally not familiar with plasma actuators as my limited knowledge is associated with management of the plasma layer during hyper sonic flights The US on the other hand is working on active flow control - not sure technologically it is similar to the Japanese program..
DARPA has recently launched a program in August 2019 to build and fly an X-plane designed around active flow control (AFC), potentially eliminating the need for moving control surfaces. The plan is to build and test a novel aircraft that can fly and maneuver with no moving control surfaces. The program is named the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effecters (CRANE).
First flight of the X plane is planned for the third quarter of fiscal 2024. AFC modifies the flow field around the aircraft using mechanical or fluidic actuators. The design specifically excludes using large external moving surfaces, mechanical vectoring of engine exhaust or other traditional moving aerodynamic control surfaces. AFC applications include eliminating moving control surfaces for stability and control and improving takeoff and landing performance, high-lift flight, thick-airfoil efficiency and high-altitude flight.
A NATO technical study involving , and academic institutes in the U.S. and UK identified that an unmanned combat aircraft with AFC could have stealth and other potential performance benefits during the ingress and egress phases of a strike mission.
As is this aircraft. For all we know...Japan could have released the 24DMU as a placeholder design for its 5th gen fighter program while in reality it could just be another "F-22 clone".
The JH-XX has appeared in an Airshow Expo as well as a magazine cover. Frankly, even without all CONOPS demands, JH-XX has more chance of materializing that this aircraft.
Also, Plasma Actuators is somewhat of a news to me...especially if associated with Japanese F3 program. Even the concept of plasma actuation is news, tbh.
As I learned about it, the Japanese do have plans to integrate passive Radar sensors into the skin - making the aircraft's entire body alike one huge receiver. Then there is the "Self-healing" component associated with its FBW system that remediate for loss of actuator action in specific Control surfaces. That's good too. But a plasma actuator might be pushing it.
Some internal sources / papers on it perhaps could alleviate the lingering doubts. Is it even feasible? It is probably going to supplement the traditional electromech Control surface actuation.How will it interact with the skin/ RAM coating of the aircraft? Has anyone actually tested it. US? Europe?
As I learned about it, the Japanese do have plans to integrate passive Radar sensors into the skin - making the aircraft's entire body alike one huge receiver. Then there is the "Self-healing" component associated with its FBW system that remediate for loss of actuator action in specific Control surfaces. That's good too. But a plasma actuator might be pushing it.
Some internal sources / papers on it perhaps could alleviate the lingering doubts. Is it even feasible? It is probably going to supplement the traditional electromech Control surface actuation.How will it interact with the skin/ RAM coating of the aircraft? Has anyone actually tested it. US? Europe?
Brumby
Major
Programs of this nature go through multiple iterations until it gets to its final form. For example, the evolution of the JSFprogram.
All designs are subject to changes whether it is the JSF, F3 or the JH-XX. Until we see a flying prototype, they are tentative. The Chinese programs are much more opaque and I would reserve judgement until I actually see something more tangible and concrete.
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SamuraiBlue
Captain
Plasma actuators have been studied for years.
The principle is the same as the ion rocket thrusters or that fancy air purifier that doesn't use filters.
An electrode ionizes the air with an minus charge. The ionized air is pulled to a plus charged electrode. With this the air flow is regulated with no vortices resulting to less drag.
It also can be used to guide the air flow in this case from the center to either side of the wing resulting to change in directions.
Many institutes including JAXA of Japan has been doing research on this phenomenon.
Brumby
Major
A NATO study of active flow control (AFC) for tailless unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) has concluded the technology is “feasible and reasonable” for flight control, at least for the ingress phase of a strike mission, when fluidic control could increase stealth. The results were presented at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ SciTech conference in San Diego on Jan. 7-11, 2019. NATO Task Group AVT-239 completed a five-year performance assessment of innovative control effectors (ICE) in December 2018.
A second group, AVT-295, is flight-testing the technology, with two different subscale UCAV models expected to fly in 2019 with fluidic flight controls.
Interestingly, the UCAV model has similar patterns as the Japanese proposed design.
The UK BAE MAGMA is the only thing that comes to me mind when the word "Fluid Thrust Vectoring" is discussed. Also, take-off and landing are done using normal control surfaces( maneuverability might take a hit). Therefore, I am of the presumption that such a technology that uses Supersonic Air diverted from the Compressor stage of the Turbofan engine is effective for VLO flying wing UAVs. I don't think a manned aircraft that is distinctly different from a flying wing configuration will be blessed with enough advantages in VLO to offset the hit to maneuverability.
Or...there has to be more effective use of Compressor stage air and better "distribution" to completely supplant the existing actuator driven aircraft control.
But these technologies are very different from Plasma Actuators. Plasma actuators aren't even tested. Both papers you cited seem to be for a technology that is fundamentaly similar to that of MAGMA. All this pondering from a camouflage design ?
Has Japan tested any MAGMA like prototype? Unmanned even ? Has Japan tested Plasma Actuation in the wind tunnels ?
I mean...this isn't just out there. This is way out there.
Since I think you know Japanese, it would be really good if you could cite the JAXA papers or papers from Japan. I'm not against these advancements and neither do I look down/seek to diminish the gains of this new technology. Maybe it could be the future of Aviation ( atleast military). The wiki page says this technology could really see great use on hypersonic vehicles.
But why Plasma Actuators ? Why specifically that? Has there been some rumors linking the f3 to this technology ?
Also, is there any images for 27DMU and later ?
SamuraiBlue
Captain
Here, I just punched in JAXA and Plasma Actuator into Google and here are some of the examples.
I think everyone will be interested on the first one page 50.
Look at the form of the wings they are doing research on and go back to the future F-3 CG rendering announced by DoD. See the resemblance? The PP deck was announced in 2012.
Oh, by the way the research is concerning take off and landing utilizing the actuators.
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