Here he goes again, our dear friend Richard Fisher:
Possible Russian Assistance for the Chengdu J-10A 5th Generation Fighter
Mikoyan Article 1.44
Status: A broad similarity between the J-10A and the MiG 1.44 may indicate Chengdu-Mikoyan cooperation on a 5th generation fighter program, performance specifications for MiG 1.44:
Length: 22.8m Wingspan: 17m
Weight: 35,000kg max takeoff
Engine: Saturn AL-41F, 40,000lb thrust with afterburner, thrust vectoring; or new indigenous engine
Performance: SPEED: 918kt supercruise; RANGE: 4,500km
Armament: New IR and Active radar guided AAMs, PGMs, internal carriage
Systems: RADAR: Advanced active phased array, integrated electroptical and ELINT systems; Possible plasma-stealth system; helmet display; glass cockpit; fly-by-wire
Information from Chinese brochures, a popular Chinese technical magazine, and published interviews with Chengdu officials suggests that Chengdu is developing a candidate for the PLA’s 5th generation fighter, called the J-10A. It is possible that Chengdu’s program may be less developed than that of Shenyang’s, but its willingness to allow concept illustrations to be made public is consistent with previous Chengdu “marketing.” But it could also mean this program is vying for PLA funding. Information released thus far suggests that Chengdu’s design will be a single or twin-engined, twin-tailed canard with thrust vectoring and stealth features. It draws from the J-10, but also exhibits similarities to Mikoyan’s 1.44 5th generation technology demonstrator, especially in the forward fuselage, canard, wing and large dimensions. While there is no current reporting to confirm cooperation by Chengdu and Mikoyan, at about the time the Article 1.44 was unveiled in 1999, the PRC was reported in the Russian press to be offering to fund the MiG’s new fighter in exchange for sales of future sales or co-production in the PRC. Nevertheless, Chengdu’s recent revelations suggest that such cooperation did proceed eventually. Inasmuch as Sukhoi’s proposal for Russia’s 5th generation fighter has been chosen by the Russian government, it would also make sense that MiG would sell its competing design to recoup its investment.
Should the J-10A turn out to be based on the Mikoyan 1.44 project, then it would appear to be offering a larger and possibly more powerful contender than Shenyang’s proposal for a 5th generation fighter. Chengdu’s fighter would likely be larger than the Lockheed Martin F/A-22 and possibly have a longer unrefueled range. The MiG 1.42 uses two powerful Saturn AL-41 engines (about 40,000lbs thrust with afterburner) which allow the fighter to “supercruise,” or fly at about Mach 1.4 to 1.6 while not using fuel-guzzling afterburners. Its canard configuration and large delta wing, plus expected engine thrust-vectoring will confer “supermaneuverability.” Chengdu’s design, like the 1.44, will also feature internal weapons carriage and a new powerful phased array radar. The F/A-22 shares most of these design features. But in contrast to the F/A-22, the MiG 1.44 was reported to have employed Russia’s plasma-stealth system, which surrounds the aircraft with ionic gas that is impervious radar. Its real beauty is that it allows avoidance of extensive stealth shaping of the airframe which may inhibit maneuverability. The PLA’s penchant for redundancy may result in eventual success for Chengdu’s program, especially if the largely domestic technology driven Shenyang program meets with delays. While such an outcome would not bode well for the PLA’s domestic aerospace technology progress, one can’t ignore the quite considerable effort begin devoted to the PLA’s next-generation combat aircraft.
– from http://www.uscc.gov/researchreports/2004/04fisher_report/7airforcesystems.htm
I guess Crobato is right: the Chinese need a back-up for everything they make.
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June 24, 2004 at 12:47 am