The recently concluded biennial Zhuhai Airshow of 2018, held in southern China, has perhaps been the most impressive such event in recent history, including as it did impressive performance by J-20 fifth gen fighters, awesome demonstration of the J-10B with thrust vector control (TVC) engines, as also a large number of new drones, new radar systems, and much much more.
In late 2017, the J-10B prototype made its first flight with a TVC nozzle-equipped variant of the indigenous WS-10 engine. Just less than a year later, this was among the first such aerial performances, the aircraft demonstrating a spectacular selection of high alpha and post stall manoeuveres which rivaled Pugachev’s cobra manoeuve, the J-turn, and the ‘falling leaf’.
The J-10B is arguably the first ever TVC-equipped, non-Russian and non-US aircraft to perform in this manner. China’s willingness to display TVC technology in such confident and transparent manner is indicative not only of greater openness on behalf of the PLAAF itself, but also a reflection of the stage that China’s engine TVC development has reached, and maturity of the technology.
Whatever the future of J-10s with TVC engines, Chinese fifth generation fighters such as the J-20 will definitely benefit from TVC technology. The enigmatic Yang Wei, also the J-20’s designer, when asked if the TVC technology demonstrated on the J-10B would have applications on the J-20, he teasingly suggested that the J-20 had perhaps already integrated a TVC – engine.
Futuristic fighters, including the ‘here and now’ J-20 could certainly benefit from TVC technology as ‘next gen’ fighters could well delete additional control surfaces, become tailless as some sixth generation concepts have surfaced.
The future is here !
During Zhuhai 2018, multiple in-service J-20s carried out at comprehensive flying displays “lasting multiple minutes, on multiple days”. The J-20 demonstrations started with a four aircraft formation flight, including a series of tight turns and impressive vertical climbs. Images have recorded impressive vortex and condensation generation effects atop the J-20 in distinct manner.
Still, many observers felt that the J-10B’s TVC demonstration actually overshadowed that of the J-20. However, considering the J-10B was equipped with TVC as well as a powerplant suited to its weight category whereas the J-20s remain relatively underpowered with AL-31s, not to mention likely constraints placed by the PLAAF on the unabashedly public performance of its newest air superiority fighter, the J-20’s display was quite impressive. Indeed, after the J-20’s rather staid demonstration at Zhuhai 2018, whether this aircraft can be classified as dedicated interceptor or dedicated strike aircraft (with reference to the US F-22 and F-35) is uncertain.
However, long speculated has been the J-20’s intended role which was ‘dominating and maintaining air superiority’ with additional missions including interception and strike, confirming what has been widely speculated about the J-20’s role since the mid-2000s, when it was initially known as the J-XX.
Candid interviews with J-20’s chief designer Yang Wei and the J-20 test pilot Li Gang provided additional details on the fifth gen aircraft. The former revealed that the J-20 uses a side control stick, first for a Chinese fighter. Extensive collaboration between pilots and designers was involved in the process of developing the aircraft’s cockpit layout. As expected, statements praising the aircraft’s stealth were also made, but most revealing was Li Gang’s statement that the J-20 boasted excellent agility and handling, “as good as the J-10”, which in fact further confirms that the J-20 was designed to achieve competitive aerodynamic performance even when using interim engines, awaiting the definitive WS-15s.
The best was yet to come : on last day of the Show, the flying display included a pair of J-20s opening their weapons bays to reveal a full complement of air-to-air missiles, including two PL-10 CCNS and four PL-15 BVR missiles. “Such openness is unprecedented for the PLA, and even rare for other air forces flying their own stealth fighters”, said an astonished observer.
UAVs and UCAVs
An array of new Chinese UAVs have been recently ordered by several countries around the world. Many designs, such as the Wing Loong and the Caihong family, are considered very capable and carry a range of weaponary, only equivalents being from the United States and Israel, which offer drones of similar or higher technology and capability.
The most high profile of Chinese RPAS is the stealthy flying wing CH-7 from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), designers of the CH-3, CH-4, and CH-5 family of UAVs. The CH-7 has a cranked kite flying wing configuration.
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) revealed a smaller, 3 ton flying wing called Tianying, a UAV intended for reconnaissance in a high threat environment. Chengdu Aircraft Group also revealed their own small flying wing demonstrator, featuring a cranked kite configuration, but no narratives of its role have emerged. Both flying wings from CASIC and Chengdu could possibly be demonstrators intended as a stepping stone to larger and more mature designs.
[Detailed review and analysis in Vayu’s next Issue].