I use 3DS Max, Flex, but I would imagine that FEM analysis would require far more precise CAD formats. 3DS Max is mainly for artwork and entertainment.

Of course, when you are talking .igs you’re talking CADs. I’m a former autocad guy and we used to live by .dwg/.dxf files 🙂 There are plugins in 3DS max to export to these and other formats.

There are actually quite a few free models of F14, F16 as well as X-Wing Star Wars fighters on the web.(1) Mostly in the .3DS format. You should be able to look for conversion plugins for what ever program you’re working with.

What FEM/fluid dynamics software to you have? Not a 30g CATIA program, do you? 😀

Notes:
(1) Try http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/aircraft.asp

Nice, Erez. You’re getting better and better at this!

The FC-1 has a Russian engine for now. There is no guarantee it will have a russian engine in the future, though it probably would have one in its first production run because the RD-93 is available and the prototypes – not necessarily the program – was designed with the RD-93 in mind.

By necessity, the FC-1 is an open design. Read the highly critical Chinese-language “World Aviation” piece in the FC-1 thread. It’s open to practically to everything: engine, weapons, radar and even the flight-control system (we saw a switch from single axis FBW in ptype 01 to full FBW in ptype 02.)

The open architecture means that, depending what you hang on it, it could suck to high heavens or be highly formidable (read Alan Warnes editorial in this month’s AFM; the FC-1 could revolutionize the cheap fighter.)

If an embargo on engine, avionics and weapons occurred today, the FC-1 will still be built. Because Liyang coyld still build engines, NRIET could still build radars and Chengdu could still build airframes. None of them might be cutting edge “modern” but the industry could still produce aircraft. In fact, plans for different components between China and Pakistan already means there would be both JF-17 and FC-1 variants.

Another example, the Y-7-100s of Laos Aviation have Chinese WJ-5 turboprops. But the Ma60s (Y-7 variant) of Szechuan Airlines have Pratt & Whitneys. So you have a Chinese firm using a Chinese plane with foreign components but a foreign firm using an all-Chinese plane. The reason is simply price.

Now, there is no reason to believe that the Y-7 line would shut down if China no longer has access to PWs.

An indigenous industry allows you to build planes on your own, pure and simple. Whether it’s state of the art is another matter.

No Russian engines for the J-10 or J-11 means that Liyang, Chengdu or the other engine firms have better step up with the WS-10A. But even in the worse case scenario, China could still pump out J-8IIs, powered by WP-14s and armed with PL-11s, SD-10s and PL-9s starting tomorrow.

The world’s smallest SSN is the French Amethyst. It’s roughly the same size as a Song. Very doubtful that any other nation will be able to follow along the same path. The Amethyst is extraordinary especially the work put into its reactor.

This “Yuan” is without doubt a SSK (by virtue of size and shipyard of origin.)

The largest conventional subs are the Harushio and Zwaardvis and, frankly, those look a LOT bigger than the “Yuan” in the above pictures.

This is a Harushio. It’s so big that it looks like a full-sized SSN.