If it was the original, yes. I’m saying on greatly reduced in size and using current off the shelf hardware to keep costs down. No STOVL or VTOL required. Big relative wing and short length coupled to efficient engine, the same core that over 50% of the fleet uses. Go for maximum bang and profit. Boeing didn’t write the asinine KPP. Doesn’t mean they cannot steal the deal. And it undermines future LM sales without threatening F-35 sales.

Follow up posting of my rendition developed into a fighter:

This is what I figured could be done using a scaled down X-32 form, a non-afterburning F100/F110, the F/A-18 non-SH wing, small internal bay, M197 Vulcan 20mm, built-in FLIR, and scaled-back EOTS.

Knowing the size of the Flanker chase plane will certainly make it easier to guess overall dimensions. It doesn’t look as impressive now that it is flying. And now we know why the Chinese ordered so many RD-93’s. It wasn’t for JF-17.

I cannot see this being a huge leap from MiG-29M2. I’d be curious to see if they are going to try to stuff a radar bigger than what is proposed for MiG-35. Its layout suggests internal carriage and a large internal fuel storage, so it has that going for it.

I personally believe the AMX is the equivalent of a modernized A-4. Light, affordable, durable, sophisticated enough, serviceable, and maintainable. The same qualities that made the Skyhawk so popular. Sometimes I think politicians have let our services dictate their own spending to the point they are crushed by their own success. Instead of always aiming for unobtainium they should be going for good enough to get the job done.

APA reminds me of the old Soviet Military Guide series in the late 80’s.

How many airframes were completed in the timeframe should be more relevant.

Ferry range is maximum fuel state that includes all of the wet underwing stations. Your general rule of 50% ferry range is bogus.

http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2012/10/third-j-20-stealth-aircraft-prototype.html

Phase out F-16’s and add just a small contingent of leased Gripen. By shifting hours around on F-16 airframes you can keep numbers up on the best candidates to last through to the transition. Gripen is mostly ready for NATO compatibility so leasing is a great option.