If we want to talk about the J-20's actual combat capability, with the ability to talk regarding possible competitors and roles, we need to be able to go off-topic.
So I'm bringing up the LREW / SACM / MSDM complex up for discussion. This is a triad of missiles under development by the United States, with SACM supposedly finishing development by early 2021. These seem to be novel kinetic-kill missiles, possibly subsonic, and with a reduced footprint compared to existing missiles by virtue of skipping the warhead. For instance, the CUDA competitor to the SACM is supposed to be able to fit 12 to the F-22 and F-35, while functioning as a medium-range multi-mode missile in the 60-80km range. These use body thrusters, holes on the body where thrust is exhausted, to enable extreme maneuverability. This would allow SACM to theoretically be able to intercept enemy air-to-air missiles, including long-range interceptor missiles.
Relative to the J-20, this actually renders it obsolete as both as interceptor and air superiority aircraft. Why? Because interceptor missiles will end up being shotdown by enemy interception missiles. Normal BVR missiles, like the PL-15, could be shot down by a more numerous load of interception missiles such as SACM or MSDM. And when it comes to dogfight missiles, the PL-10 is outranged by SACM.
On the other hand, were the J-20 to actually employ its own suite of clones, it would have a substantial advantage. Unlike the F-35 as a platform, the J-20 is designed for supersonic maneuverability and supercruise. A J-20 using SACM-clones would be able to outrange the F-35, and be able to intercept enemy support craft at short range, using SACM and MSDM clones to stop enemy protective fire. Moreover, with a longer bay than the F-35, the J-20 could also use larger SACM-clones, allowing its missiles, by themselves, to outperform the SACM / MSDM suite.
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The alarming thing is, we haven't seen any word on the Chinese trying to come out with their clones of the LREW/SACM/MSDM complex. The most we've heard about is the PL-21/XX, which seems to be stalled, and if advanced kinetic kill missiles are the function of engine technology, the Americans have an advantage there with the Chinese playing follow-up.
So I'm bringing up the LREW / SACM / MSDM complex up for discussion. This is a triad of missiles under development by the United States, with SACM supposedly finishing development by early 2021. These seem to be novel kinetic-kill missiles, possibly subsonic, and with a reduced footprint compared to existing missiles by virtue of skipping the warhead. For instance, the CUDA competitor to the SACM is supposed to be able to fit 12 to the F-22 and F-35, while functioning as a medium-range multi-mode missile in the 60-80km range. These use body thrusters, holes on the body where thrust is exhausted, to enable extreme maneuverability. This would allow SACM to theoretically be able to intercept enemy air-to-air missiles, including long-range interceptor missiles.
Relative to the J-20, this actually renders it obsolete as both as interceptor and air superiority aircraft. Why? Because interceptor missiles will end up being shotdown by enemy interception missiles. Normal BVR missiles, like the PL-15, could be shot down by a more numerous load of interception missiles such as SACM or MSDM. And when it comes to dogfight missiles, the PL-10 is outranged by SACM.
On the other hand, were the J-20 to actually employ its own suite of clones, it would have a substantial advantage. Unlike the F-35 as a platform, the J-20 is designed for supersonic maneuverability and supercruise. A J-20 using SACM-clones would be able to outrange the F-35, and be able to intercept enemy support craft at short range, using SACM and MSDM clones to stop enemy protective fire. Moreover, with a longer bay than the F-35, the J-20 could also use larger SACM-clones, allowing its missiles, by themselves, to outperform the SACM / MSDM suite.
===
The alarming thing is, we haven't seen any word on the Chinese trying to come out with their clones of the LREW/SACM/MSDM complex. The most we've heard about is the PL-21/XX, which seems to be stalled, and if advanced kinetic kill missiles are the function of engine technology, the Americans have an advantage there with the Chinese playing follow-up.