I was under the impression the AL-21 was based on the J79 engine, specifically it copied the variable stator design. Looking at the specs, the AL-21 seems to be a physical copy as well.
According to Wikipedia their dimensions and weight were practically identical. However AL-21 delivers far more thrust. 6.6:1 compared to the J79’s 4.6:1. The performance puts it in almost a different generation. What advancements does the Soviet engine have to account for this?
J79-GE-17
Length: 17.4 ft (5.3 m)
Diameter: 3.2 ft (1.0 m)
Dry weight: 3,850 lb (1,750 kg)
11,905 lbf (52.9 kN) dry
17,835 lbf (79.3 kN) with afterburner
Thrust-to-weight ratio: 4.6:1 (45.4 N/kg)
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AL-21F3
Length: 5,300 mm (209 in)
Diameter: 1,000 mm (39 in)
Dry weight: 1,700 kg (3,740 lb)
76.4 kN (17,175 lbf) dry
109.8 kN (24,675 lbf) with afterburner
Thrust-to-weight ratio: 64.7 N/kg (6.6:1)
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November 15, 2011 at 12:24 am