However, the logic that they are hiding WS-15 because they lack confidence in it because turbofans are an area where they are behind doesn’t really make sense…
Sure it does. The CJ-1000 shows as much. It has a VERY slow development path. Unlike the established players, China doesn’t have decades of experience in single crystal superalloys and all of the bonded coats that goes with them. So they have to work cautiously. And, since the Ws-15 is a military project, they keep it tightly under wraps.
…because if that was the case then we wouldn’t have more information and pictures about other Chinese engine programmes in the present or in the past when they were at similar or earlier stages of development compared to WS-15
I think you are overplaying some very slight differences. Almost nothing was known about other Chinese engine projects (Ws-10, Ws-20, etc.) prior to flight testing. Pictures were sparse and usually of questionable validity and few if any reliable performance targets or program milestones were given. Even well after flight testing starts they are still kept under a hefty veil of secrecy – such as Ws-20 is still to this day.
Instead, if we look at how much information or pictures we receive about various engine projects, WS-15 is actually the exception in regards to how little we know about it.
CJ-1000 is the exception – it has to be since it is intended for widespread civilian use. Ws-15 fits in tightly with the rule. I don’t think we can agree much here.
Sign In
