ROFL:D

Someone in CD said it was flown today. credibility unknown.

Personally I think they’ve done everything for this year, so may be after Chinese new year

they prob have flown/shipped it to xianyang flight test center already.

The T-50 flew approximately once a week before the move to Zhukovsky, I would expect the J-20 to proceed at a similar pace for the time being.

The whole program is under the gun. I would up those assessment quite a bit.

It depends on the type of carriage, to whether there’s much penalty from the AAM(and pylons). If the foe forces you to drop your bombs, then your mission was unsuccessful. I am making statements that aren’t trying to be disengenuous. You’re entitled to your opinion- it just doesn’t happen to be shared by most Air Forces.

F-35 will not drop its a2g payload it if its engaged in a a2a fight?

Because its the USAF, with huge global commitments that are not going to decrease, and a squadron is raised for a purpose, till that purpose exists so will the squadron,
fighter squadrons are not infantry regiments.

they can base a dozen B-2 in 2-3 spots in the world and hit anywhere in the world in 24 hours with a dozen jdams. … unless they are required to hit everyone at sametime, they are ok, which clearly is not the case. so that leaves one last scenario, that the planners sees number as important as individual quality, in a single conflict that involves a determined and technologically competent adversary with an sofisticated air defence system. the planners see quantity as important enough factor to ask for thousands of F-35 buys.

if numbers were the game, you will see USAF getting a dramatic increase in the total number of 5th gen plane as other nations start fielding similar systems, .

again, How many F-35 they are planning to field? :rolleyes:

however you will see the US adopting all aspect broadband stealth fighters, with another evolution (generation) in (of) the electronics, that is their strength to lead, innovate.

where is this new all aspect broadband stealth fighters, being adopted right now? where? 😮
last time I checked Boeing is stilling peddling their 6 gen to the navy and whoever has cash.

If the F-16s are using afterburners to keep up, what do you suppose would happen once the F-35 goes to afterburner as well? The F-16 gets a ~12k lb increase in afterburner(and it’s already struggling to keep up). The F-35 gets a 16-23+k lb increase in full afterburner.
Now mind you, these are all static, uninstalled numbers, which further blurs things, as we don’t know the installed figures, or at which altitudes the respective motors will perform most advantageously.

PS- if you’re wondering about the 23+k figure, check the link on the F-135 vs F-136 thread.

I wonder what’s the combat wingloading on 35A version is. vs a similar equip F-16.

or rather… what’s the drag polar looks like.

and I wonder why USAF choose the small wing 35A for…

hey, the motor is big enough why not just go for the big wing 35C. you always have enough thrust to accel and hit your top speed right? 😉

Seems to be a strange tech demonstator as it doesn’t demonstate a critical technology, namely the weapons bays.

this is engineering demonstrator #01.
not all tricks are shown with the first dogs and pony show.

It has become quite clear that there are no weapons bays on this aircraft from looking at the latest pics.

there are cover panels for bays. go look carefully. with jagged edges.

although I don’t think the doors are production.

it would a engineering nightmare if cavities and structures are not designed in early.

More Brass Arriving for banquet

Left is Li Dongan Director of Tech Com. General Equip Dept.
Right is member of central military commission, Command in Chief, PLAAF. Airforce Colonel General Xu QI Liang ,