“Plasma stealth” very good for hypersonic speeds. New Russian missiles, such as “Zircon”, will have this capability

I remember in mid 90’s the rumor was MiG MFI required a plasma-stealth device to be effective against the 5th gen fighters of the west (ATF/JSF). MFI will not have the stealth shaping of the ATF thus the ATF would see the MFI first and fire its radar-guided AAM. But during the terminal-phase those Radar guided AAM will be rendered useless the moment plasma-stealth is activated and the MFI will force the ATF into WVR battle where it will have the advantage. This is one hypothesis I have heard.

F-16. The whole business is tailor-made for the F-16 and driven by political/strategic considerations.

The ‘competition’ aspect is pretty superficial. LM has this in the bag, more or less.

‘Signature’ US defence project in works

So I guess it is going to be the hypthetical F-16 Block 70/72? What are the improvements over the F-16E/F Block 60?

Edit:

It’ll be damn cool if they integrated the AVEN like with the F-16 MATV program.

aww, no clearer pics of the j-31 yet?

Its the Fried Chicken-31! There is some shortage of cooking oil.

New target drone to simulate 4th & 5th (3rd & 4th in Chinese classification) generation aircraft:
From Henri Kenhmann – http://www.eastpendulum.com/nwpu-teste-drone-cible-simulant-avions-5g (site in French)

During 2015, one of China’s Su-30s was flight tested with TVC engine; thought to be AL-31 type engines fitted with TVC nozzles. Represented here by model of Su-30 of PLAAF.

Gyrfalcon62

Interesting. 1st time some of us are seeing this. Any word on the results of the test?

F-15K: Initial order for 40 aircraft worth $4.2 billion. So that $105 Million per plane. Deal includes weapons required for that program. Other offsets include some parts being outsourced to South Korean companies including Samsung Techwin license building the turbofans.

Edit:

F-15QA: 72 aircraft at $21.1 billion for the Qatar Air Force. A comprehensive including weapons, support equipment, training, etc That nearly $295 Million per plane.

Thanks for your replies regarding Su-35 and its relation to existing inventory of J-6/7/10/11.

It seems lessons of Su-35 will be incorporated into J-20/31 or next gen of planes, which make sense 🙂

PS: Was surprised to hear .. China has no TVC experience

They have tested different technologies from flat 2D nozzles to all-aspect 3D nozzles like GE AVEN. But all of them have been ground tests. There have been no reports or even rumors of any TVC nozzles being integrated and tested in the air. Russians have plenty of experience and proven platforms when it comes to TVC (Su-37, Su-30MKI/MKM/MKA/SM, Su-35S, T-50, etc). Su-35 will give the PLAAF and relevant companies valuable insight and experience.

Below is an AVEN testbed from the early 2000s in China. Have not heard of any flying prototype yet.