Shenyang / Chengdu 6th Gen Demonstrators?

snne said:
There are lots of interesting design choices on this aircraft...

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Looking at the trailing edge and wondering why they went with all the segments instead of a single, flexible trailing edge like the AFTI F-111.
AGS-1787 said:
Looking at the size I think this is a strike fighter, analogous to the b-21 but faster. Might be more like a modern tu-22 design. What are the shinny windows on the side? Sensor windows? Side radars? Or actual windows?
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I doubt it's that big. More like an unmanned F-111 or B-58 I think.
 
Aside from the fact that they apparently decided to use three engines, it is really surprising that they use two different types of air intakes.
What can we conclude from this? Two different types of engines for different flight regimes as a workaround, because they currently don`t have variable cycle engines available?
 
sferrin said:
Looking at the trailing edge and wondering why they went with all the segments instead of a single, flexible trailing edge like the AFTI F-111.

I doubt it's that big. More like an unmanned F-111 or B-58 I think.
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I’ve read that they still want decent roll rate and nose pointing compared with pure bomber or striker.
 
AGS-1787 said:
Looking at the size I think this is a strike fighter, analogous to the b-21 but faster. Might be more like a modern tu-22 design. What are the shinny windows on the side? Sensor windows? Side radars? Or actual windows?
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Nevermind the small ones on the nose, side views show two huge light coloured panels running almost half the fuselage length. Embedded antennas, or perhaps the kind of reflective mirror-like panels seen on F-35 and F-22 recently?
 
red admiral said:
I'm far from convinced as they have much lower fineness ratio and definely non-optimal area ruling. I would not expect great supersonic performance - possibly needed to add the third engine to get sufficient thrust? I also really doubt long range - with those intake ducts and engines and payload bay then I'd think fuel fraction would be low simply from running out of volume.

To me then these say TDPs - wonder whether they are demonstrating anything other than a "medium fineness" tailless configuration, like X-36 did back in the 90s
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Yes, fuselage volume is EE Lightning-esque perhaps. I do wonder if the three engines and intakes are to allow a bigger/wider weapons bay.

Stealth generally means adding some bulk too so it's an interesting set of things they seem to be balancing.

Third engine maintenance challenges also makes me wonder if they got the balance right or are trying to trounce the competition in some key parameter.
 
Ainen said:
I don't think term bomber is applicable, when it is understood to be antiair platform first; it deserves a new term.

It isn't interceptor, it isn't defensive counter air bird, even if it probably will be excellent at it.
I am not sure it counts as a fighter in traditional sense; it is rather unlikely this is intended to fight up close.
it's almost reliably a multipurpose aircraft - similar to larger PCA.

Destroyer or maybe cruiser is a better term?


Shenyang aircraft will probably be positioned as a direct flanker replacement?
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Zerstorer
 
I believe it would be the JH-XX project that was alluded to in the past, if real?

The JH-XX is a supersonic, stealth, tactical bomber/fighter-bomber aircraft under development. JH-XX is the second stealth bomber of China confirmed in existence by the U.S. intelligence community, and the Pentagon speculates the fighter-bomber is capable of long-range strike and nuclear weapons delivery.

J-XX - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
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Nx4eu said:
The tips aren't rounded that's probably compression or from ai image enhancers, from other angles the tips are flat
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I just reviewed everything here from today, to include the artwork, it's appears that they are rounded, or atleast contoured
 
Got to love all the speculation re the newly unveiled fighter/bomber prototypes

One thing not mentioned is that they may well be just that ... experimental proof of concept demonstrators (in similar vein to 'X-planes' ?)

On the other hand it is great to see the PRC. has kept its focus surpassing the US. as the most technologically advanced superpower (c'mon where are those supposed NGAD. mockups ? Im thinking the forthcoming 'GCAP. demonstrator' will see air beneath its wheels before its US. equivalent) :)
 
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Of course, one has to remember that an external shape alone does not constitute a capability or even that this is "6th Gen". Actual internal systems and resulting performance will do that. Otherwise this is potentially nothing more than a fancy shape...
 
Similar flight control surface arrangement as the XB-70, multiple surfaces, lots of trim capability and deflection modes of operation. Single weapons bay. China is going bonkers.
 
CJGibson said:
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Chris
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Good point. But if my bomber is optionally manned - and any satcom on something like this would be conformal these days, so that's a cockpit - wouldn't I put someone on board for the first flight? Or is it a light effect through a low-profile tinted canopy?
PS does that plan view look familiar? Where's the KC-135?
 
For the topic of what type of fighter this is, the obvious precedent is "Strike-Fighter", the SU-24, Tornado, F-111 - modified now for the stealth era - but of a similar nature.

As for competition between US and China, it seems like China is competing and the US pretending.
 
paralay said:
Approximately, the area of the side air intakes corresponds to a compressor diameter of 1050 mm
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Isn't RD-33 class engines on the small size? Roughly the same power can be had from two AL-41/51 class engines, ie WS-10/15. Indeed, a 1050mm compressor diameter suggest AL-41/51 class engines, which also means the weight could be well over 50 tons. Maybe this can be judged as a sort of modern-day chinese T-60 concept?
 

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