a V tail – yf23/ macair JAST style?

interesting…

couple years ago some body told me that’s one direction they were going with. I didn’t believe them because CAC has already won the competition.

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Here is a blurred out and intentionally censored image of a desk-top model of that particular SAC 601 4th (5th) Generation J-XX concept – as seen in the drawing posted by Blitzo et al. Rumor has it that SAC 601 offered two different concepts – the J-19 and the J-21 – the J-21 is the concept with the twin V-tail, like that on the American YF-23. The J-19 concept looked more like the YF-22 / F-22. But of course Chengdu CAC 611 won the competion for the contest with their J-20 – that we all now can see. But SAC 601 might still be pursuing their efforts with advanced combat aircraft – giving the Chinese PLAAF more options. Just like the open competion between the L-15 and the JL-9 series for an advanced supersonic trainer.

Dassault Mystere IVN all-weather 2-seat prototype

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I’d think TVC would negate the need for canards, especially if it already has an aggressive LERX.

TVC will only increase the maneuverability of the aircraft – even to the point of G-LOC – for the pilot any way!! And IMHO, I would estimate that the J-20 was designed to withstand beyond 9+ Gs, and with canards, an aggressive LERX, TVC, and a thrust to weight ratio greater than unity, this should put the J-20 into the realm of the super-maneuverability category.
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J-20’s engines

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If the rumor prove correct, then the J-20 is powered by two Russian NPO Saturn 117S afterburning turbofan engines with 3d vectoring nozzles. These are engines that are also used in the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA and Su-35S fighters. The NPO Saturn 117S will power the Chengdu J-20 until China can fully develop the WS-15 afterburning turbofan engine – which will also feature 3d vectoring nozzles.

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In my opinion serial engines of the bird can be the Izdeliye 117 or 117s which are on Su-35s and PAK-FA prototypes today! Thats what Chineese officials interested in the Chinese airshow

I know that Medal64, and the Chinese are now in talks with the Russians for engines for the J-20, since the WS-15 will not be ready for installing in J-20s for a number of years yet to come. It had been decided about two years ago to install the Russian Saturn 117S engines in the prototypes of the J-20 until the WS-15 would be ready. So it is most likely that the J-20 prototypes will be powered by Saturn 117S afterburning turbofans – just as they are in the Su-35 and T-50 PAK-FA. Some observers have nicknamed the J-20 prototypes “PAK-FA-Shan”

J-20 / JXX at Chengdu taxi tests

No PSed images this time – and no CGs either. This composite drawing is based on the real J-20, and includes descriptions by eyewitnesses. The J-20 prototype is dark green in colour – and the eyewitnesses were speculating if it is some type of stealth or radar absorbing coating. There are twin vertical tails, somewhat similar to the F-117A, but on the J-20 prototype they are widely spread apart instead of being in a V-tail as on the F-117A. Side air intakes with DSI “bumps;” twin small ventral fins, near the wings trailing edge; and two under-wing pylons. The aircraft difinitely has canards and the whole forward fuselage – fuselage, cockpit/canpy and independently moving canards all seem to be one unit. The J-20 has a one-piece canopy; and there is a pitot attached on top of the nose of the aircraft. It is also reported that there is a red star on the vertical tails and the number “35” is on the side of the forward fuselage. It has a double-wheeled nose gear and single main landing gear units (tricycle type):cool: