China unveils advanced J-20 stealth fighter in fly over at air show

a reply to: cosmania

The PAK-FA is a nice looking bird, but I wouldn't expect to see major production of it with their economy the way it is. What do they have 1 or 2 in testing?

a reply to: cosmania

The T-50 has some serious contradictions. It's got the rounded shape you'd expect, but gaps in the panels where they join.

a reply to: Crumbles

More an F-22/F-35 hybrid.

a reply to: Crumbles

They're getting at least one Squadron, with 6 or more in testing.

I can´t see any sockets for external weapons. The doors under the intake don´t make any sense to me, there seems to be too less room to put anything but flat aligned missiles or a small rotary. Can someone enlighten me? Can you make the intake channels that flat? If you increase the surface, you get more drag and pressure goes down.

I´m used to integrate multiple parts into each other to scale down as best as possible while keeping responsibility and reliability up, so this is a serious question.

originally posted by: E92M3

a reply to: verschickter

They use bays similar to the F-22, but designed for larger missiles, with cut down fins.

a reply to: Zaphod58
So, flat, it is. Nice construction, now I can see the side doors usage, too. Can you tell me what that copper colored pod next to the optic sensor is? Is this some kind of flow meter?

a reply to: verschickter

It may just be a smoke system for demonstration flights. The other side looks like an IRCM system.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Had to look that up...first thought after going back to the picture, why are the sides closed? this gives a blind spot, or not? The nose pod has to carry the optic sensors then, imho. me and my questions :rolleyes:

a reply to: verschickter

Early system, designed for the primary threat axis if it is. Either way, it's got some bad blind areas.

Is that FFBNW EOTS under the nose?

a reply to: C0bzz

Yes.

but gaps in the panels where they join.

Hi speed tape?

a reply to: Zaphod58

One squadron makes good sense: it will allow them to sort out issues with operating stealth aircraft in terms of deployment but especially maintenance and support involving many new technologies, but without investing too heavily in a platform that, by the time it reaches maybe 150 operational aircraft, will have to face the dawn of US 6th generation capabilities.


And the reality is that very soon, Russia may have to face not only ongoing low/lowish oil and gas prices, but ongoing economic sanctions that may see national income slowly decline or stagnate for many years to come. Best to invest in what they do well, namely land warfare, surface to surface and surface to air missiles, as well as improving submarines. Air to air against the West will not end well for Russia.

a reply to: Zaphod58

It might also be a radar reflector like the retractable one the F-22 uses during it's demonstrations.

a reply to: Sammamishman

Good point. That would make a great reflector.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Agreed. But don't you think the second we've got intel on the range of her, she's done. Won't even get close. I'm willing to bet the DIA basically already knows.

And from my less than professional analysis, she's fast. But can't turn and it appears stealth was pushed to the wayside.

Also how is EOTS beneficial to a radar (possibly ground or ship) guided interceptor. It'd never get close enough to even turn it on. Are they just copying us for fun? Or does this paper tiger actually have a mission.

a reply to: aholic

Like I've been saying all along, it's an anti-AWACS/JSTARS/Tanker platform. The only way to keep it from getting close, is to back off, which means less coverage. Which means it's succeeded in its mission already. Our fighter coverage CAN'T move closer, and loiter, unless we want to move the tankers closer, which means they're still in range and in danger.

Fighting China, on their ground, limits our options drastically. The only bases we can even begin to secure are Guam, and Okinawa, which are still easily in missile range. That's a long flight for a fighter to make, if there's going to be a CAP at the end of it.

a reply to: Zaphod58

But leaning more toward f-22? To me at least. A squadon? When are they set to roll off the line. How much per?

a reply to: Crumbles

The 9th airframe rolled out for testing with some radical changes to the airframe.

They're getting the Squadron next year some time. Not sure on cost but I've heard near $100M per.