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Old 10-06-2017, 12:54 PM   #16
Zulu29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch View Post
More Chinese move as the J-20 goes operational

https://www.defensenews.com/global/2...is-in-service/



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-20

There are some concerns around the engine, originally the Chinese wanted to but the engine from the Russian Su-35, but Russia refused as they want to sell those jets whole, so the Chinese have purchased about 35 of the SU-35 and its expected they just want those planes of the parts.

This is the Chinese expected competition for the Raptor with twin engines, a supercruise ability and integrated sensor and communications package.

There might be three issues with this plane that make it dirty.

Its not a fighter, just reading some breakdowns, this plane is designed to be interceptor and a striker. Its not a dog fighter, but it is designed to go after high value targets such as air refueling platforms and AWACs early warning aircraft. The strategy with this plane in a battle against he American's is to peal back their battlefield support for their planes reducing the range of US aircraft and their ability to see over the horizon.

However some industry insiders that I've read about have stated the other two issues.

China's industry might be lagging behind the US in terms of advanced composite materials which when combined with what some observers have called a attempt that might not understand how to design a low observable or stealth plane might make this design dirty or not stealthy.

The interesting design is the Chinese J-31 which is based on information stolen from the F-35 program. This jet is more likely to be made to market to countries that can't afford the F-35.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-20



However its still believed that the J-31 is going to be hampered by inferior Composites technology and will lag far behind the more advanced F-35 in terms of avionics and integration.

Why this is alarming is that these two planes represent a leap forward for the Chinese as their first generation stealth aircraft, and like the American's with the F-117 for example the next generational leap is usually massive.
There’s a pretty nasty radar cross section at the engine exhaust, they’d still have a pretty substantial radar footprint I think.
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