Thursday, February 15, 2018

China's Newest Stealth Fighter Is Using Low-Power Engines

The Chengdu J-20. Wikimedia

Popular Mechanics: China’s Super Fighter Comes Online — With Inferior Engines

The J-20 must make do with older, lower power engines until new ones are developed.

China’s first fifth-generation fighter, the J-20, is finally operational, but the jet already has one known flaw: it uses engines that produce less thrust than originally anticipated. The engine meant for the stealth fighter has experienced serious developmental delays, forcing the use of a less powerful engine. The result is an airplane that can’t quite live up to its potential, for now.

The Chengdu J-20 was first seen by the outside world in 2011, when it was observed during a visit to China by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Chinese aerospace giant Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation started development of a heavy, stealthy fighter in the 1990s, known as the J-XX, and the aircraft’s advanced features stunned experts who believed China did not have the technological prowess to design such a plane.

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WNU Editor: When it comes to warplanes, the U.S. Air-force has always had the advantage in avionics and powerful engines. And while I am sure the Chinese are going to catch up one day, that day is still far in the future.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Still a twin engine, should be more then enough to combat the F35 single.

Anonymous said...

They are still trying to steal the US engine design for that peice

Caecus said...

Two engines are heavier than one. With crap engines you need two in case of failure. F-16 is single engine and a great fighter.

Jay Farquharson said...

https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/chinas-fifth-generation-stealth-fighter-is-in-combat-service-but-with-improved-fourth-generation-engines/

LMFAO

The P-51Mustang was a dog until they stuck British Merlin engines in it.

http://www.tested.com/art/makers/492418-packard-merlin-how-detroit-mass-produced-britains-hand-built-powerhouse/