Yes, but there is little consequence to that.
The principles of planform alignment are so well known these days that anyone can take a ruler and a pencil and draw out a generic flying wing with random details that align.
H-20 bomber (with H-X, JH-XX)
- Thread starter Deino
- Start date
Yes, but there is little consequence to that.
The principles of planform alignment are so well known these days that anyone can take a ruler and a pencil and draw out a generic flying wing with random details that align.
True I was pointing out the design does conform with low visibility principles and worthy to be considered as an airframe as some members here were doubtful about it, Any update on the supposed scale model leak?
Not only do you want the edges to align, You want them to align along as few different orientations as possible. here the model doesn’t quite do that. For example, the leading edge couodv be straight and therefore a line along just one orientation, which will be preferable. But it is Kinked. So it adds an additional alignment orientation. From strictly stealth perspective, that is probably not preferred. So this suggests to me maybe the model is not entirely accurate.
but there may be some other reasobd for the design to deviate from being optimized purely for stealth . There may be aerodynamic consideration. Or possibly the design requires certain coverage from any conformal radar that is embedded in the leading edge
Last edited:
For that, the best way to guess would be to look at the issues inherent in the B-2 like straight flying wing design (without any cranks.)
The most recent B-2 crash was due to the air data sensors malfunctioning due to the mositure content. The point is - B2 flies with the aid of computers, overwhelmingly so. There is little to no scope for human control for such an aircraft.
I personally won't grade such an aircraft as reliable or worthy of operating within a high threat environment. The support infrastructure needed to operate such an aircraft would not mesh well within such a theatre.
( This is my primary issue against F35. No matter how much others hype it, I, being an armchair general, won't consider such a software intense aircraft as a reliable one).
Maybe the PLAAF thinks along the same lines and wanted a higher degree of human control or a possibility for human pilots to seize control?
Ofcourse, it is assuming that the Chinese cranked flying wing with folding tail confers the aircraft with better three axis stability and human piloting. I believe it will. Vertical stabilizers are so very important.
I like the design. But this is quite a revolutionary concept. Too revolutionary. So much so, PLAAF choosing it would send tremors within and outside China.
Last edited:
Regarding the flying wing design.
The speed of B-2 bomber is quite high ( it is capable of near supersonic flight.) I don't know if that top speed has been achieved under what loads.
The Chinese cranked flying wing might be for pitch stability at higher angles of attack as well as enhanced low supersonic control.
The speed of B-2 bomber is quite high ( it is capable of near supersonic flight.) I don't know if that top speed has been achieved under what loads.
The Chinese cranked flying wing might be for pitch stability at higher angles of attack as well as enhanced low supersonic control.
Hangar queen are good for a flash war while rugged aircraft are good for long war. You don't need high end fighter for them to sit helpless on the tarmac. Some years ago, my brother was at a NATO exercise at Greenwood in Nova-Scotia, Canada. After one week and an half, just 2 out of 36 CF-18 participating where battle ready...
Yes. I'm not saying a software intense aircraft is bad. I'm just saying that most countries won't find them good assets.
US may be able to support such aircrafts but China isn't US. China's military budget is relatively low and defence needs are different.
Almost any large subsonic jet flies at reasonably close to transonic speed. The sweep angle of B-2’s leading edge does not suggest it can fly closer to transonic speed than most modern passenger jets.
Last edited:
Not a flying wing. The top speed of B-2 is impressive.
