J-20 Stealth Fighter Doors Explained
This Friday morning — more like midday — is going to be devoted to stealth jets here at DT. Look at the above picture of China’s J-20 Stealth jet. See that big open door just forward of the main landing gear? My colleague Phil Ewing recently asked me if it’s the opening for another weapons or equipment bay.
While I’m no expert on this fighter, I think we can say that we’re seeing the main landing gear bay. Look at the photos below and notice how the gear should fold forward into that open bay.
Chalk any confusement up to grainy pictures of the plane combined with the layout of the forward-folding landing gear and the placement of the bay door. Keep in mind that the door could also provide maintainers access to other internal systems on the plane in addition to accommodating the landing gear.
You can see in the last photo below how that open gear door looks like it wasn’t meant for the landing gear.
The real mystery surrounding the giant plane is; what will it be used for?
My guess is that it’s a high-speed interceptor along the lines of the famous MiG-25 Foxbat and MiG-31 Foxhound or that it’s meant to be a penetrating, F-111 or F-15E-style weapons truck designed to strike heavily defended targets like air bases or carrier battle groups. As you can see in this video, it certainly appears to have the weapons carrying capacity for either of these missions.
Click through the jump for pictures.
TLAM Strike · 5 days ago
The door on the engine intake fwd of the landing gear, is that a access hatch or some kind of payload bay for SRAAMs?
Personally I think the main weapon for this is something we have yet to see. Perhaps some kind of AIM-54 type weapon for killing AWACS. I think the AWACS killer and Deep Strike roles both converge nicely; remember Red Storm Rising and the F-19 Frisbees?
Personally I think the main weapon for this is something we have yet to see. Perhaps some kind of AIM-54 type weapon for killing AWACS. I think the AWACS killer and Deep Strike roles both converge nicely; remember Red Storm Rising and the F-19 Frisbees?
maxtrue · 5 days ago
Seems like its meant for both roles depending on the radar and engines as well as the size of China's missiles to come. One should consider the export roles this air craft is intended to serve as being part of any threat assessment. Would this air craft be carrier able?
Ben · 5 days ago
I think it'd be a poor design decision if it weren't an SRAAM bay, so my guess is yeah.
And I agree with the interceptor/deep strike assessment. China knows it can't match us on a level playing field so they design a long range stealth aircraft with the sole purpose of destroying our critical assets, therefore circumventing a head-to-head engagement. No carriers = diminished offensive capability. No AWACS/Tankers = limited warning and diminished ability to keep up the fight. It puts us on the defensive and reduces our defensive capability all at the same time.
And I agree with the interceptor/deep strike assessment. China knows it can't match us on a level playing field so they design a long range stealth aircraft with the sole purpose of destroying our critical assets, therefore circumventing a head-to-head engagement. No carriers = diminished offensive capability. No AWACS/Tankers = limited warning and diminished ability to keep up the fight. It puts us on the defensive and reduces our defensive capability all at the same time.
yeen · 5 days ago
It would need massive bays to hold a sunburn-type carrier killer. It's probably meant mainly for air defense. An AWACS should be able to see these coming long before they're in range.
maxtrue · 5 days ago
I don't see pylons. Of course an air craft loses more stealth to AWACS with external loads, but given the size, I suppose it could carry carrier killers externally simply as a fast way to deliver them. Putting their killers on missiles presents the ballistic trajectory conundrum.
When I read recently the approach to the new bomber the DOD was considering (see Ares) and I saw mentioned the need for a high altitude platform, I imagined what that would be for beyond recon. I'm not sure the J-20 is the answer to that air defense problem, nor do I think such issues can be neutralized with more advanced stealth technology deployed at very high altitudes. China might find a one size fits all approach that costs a lot of money fits no niche as well as specialized varieties.
When I read recently the approach to the new bomber the DOD was considering (see Ares) and I saw mentioned the need for a high altitude platform, I imagined what that would be for beyond recon. I'm not sure the J-20 is the answer to that air defense problem, nor do I think such issues can be neutralized with more advanced stealth technology deployed at very high altitudes. China might find a one size fits all approach that costs a lot of money fits no niche as well as specialized varieties.
Lance · 5 days ago
I bet by its small payload its a interceptor made to sneak up to bombers and shoot them down. It lacks external pylons and also large bays or any major ground pounder munitions, unless its meant to deliver a single abomb a FB-111 type aircraft.
Lance · 5 days ago
There is too much fear over this plane its a decade away from reaching full production the DoD says and its payload is small. Remember most of you was scared to death over the MiG-25 in the 70s and it didn't turn out to be the weapon to destroy America that some of you said it was.
tribulationtime · 5 days ago
Around 5.5 to 8 m and 1500 kg for supersonic missiles. Too much long. C-701 2.5m and 100kg only 20 km range and high subsonic speed. Easily defeated. I think what the knowed anti-ship weapons of China can´t justify that big bays. Multiple weapons load with carrousel or others means and Expected very long range BVR missiles would be the answer.
5Colossus · 5 days ago
...Or we could all just be realistic and realize that the door opens so that the MLG wheels can clear the aircraft (dropping along it's long axis), and then probably close again for aerodynamic stability's sake.
Juuso · 5 days ago
"Or we could all just be realistic and realize that the door opens so that the MLG wheels can clear the aircraft"
There is a small strip of fuselage between the gear door and that mystery hatch.
There is a small strip of fuselage between the gear door and that mystery hatch.
Let's Hear it for REALISM! JUST A GEAR DOOR! Lined with a Kevlar-like fabric to keep tire-dirt from entering the systems/inspectable areas behind that white fabric. But still just a gear door. And that's one tough set of gear! As in Carrier-Qualified. And we've launched Very Large Bombing Aircraft from carriers before, too- as Jimmy Dolittle (R.I.P.) knows. My guess? Fast Weapons Truck- but Carrier-Capable. They're very proud of that new carrier, but it's no good without A/C. This bird is -so far- just a scarecrow flying proof-of-concept that proves they subscribe to our industry magazines. Our Marine/Naval Aviators will down this thing before our CBG DD picket's radar can even see it, flying ChinaCap. We'll have spotted it (IR/optically, passively, stealthily) from our Naval SeaSats. By the time our DD pickets ping it, our OTH missiles will be on their way. Hopefully their next Satlaunch won't either a) wipe out a 2nd downrange village, or b) fill LEO with space junk as it blows up or shows us how good their ASATs are. Oops! You guys give them way too much credit. They can only hack/steal/buy tech, not innovate. Let's put a stop to 100% of their Stealth weapons R&D- by pulling the plug on ALL Internet packets they send to/get from us. Those are 98% PLA-originated.
Letsallbefriends · 5 days ago
It isn't armed with anything yet and as it's still some way from full production, the weapons intended for it may also be in development. Anything that wants to be remotely stealthy needs to carry it's payload and fuel internally.
Long range AAMs, ASMs, stand off runway
cratering bomblet dispensers and the sea are
all big. So I thinks it's a multirole heavy fighter, a kind SU33 SE if you will. Whatever your hopes or prejudices, it is much too early
to know how good it'll be
Long range AAMs, ASMs, stand off runway
cratering bomblet dispensers and the sea are
all big. So I thinks it's a multirole heavy fighter, a kind SU33 SE if you will. Whatever your hopes or prejudices, it is much too early
to know how good it'll be
MrCjis · 4 days ago
Looking at this bird reminds me of the F-106. It had a huge missile bay behind the nose gear. This thing looks to be MUCH bigger in the body than the 6's. Maybe they need the room for fuel but I'm thinking they may have a surprise hanging up there!
Cataldo · 3 days ago
This bird is useful in many ways, i think they have an idea for an ASAT system related to this big bay too.
JSFMIKE · 1 day ago
When in doubt, get out your basic tools - protractor, pencil, compass, etc. Scribe a line to the furthest point of the main tire and forward. The tire swings into the door opening. The door is approx the size of the tire and gear components. The long, short height door forward of this opening looks like a Sidewinder-type missile bay door, a la F-22. Most of the doors on this Prototype have straight edges along the forward side. That is not stealthy so there will be changes sometime in the future if they expect this thing to evade radar. The engine intake is all wrong for an efficient device to deliver proper air to the powerplant. Either that or they have some moving surfaces up the intake to help compressibility; that's not efficient either. But it is a Prototype!
tfansoi · 1 day ago
So happy to see the chinese build this stealth junk. let them waste billions if not trillions. God help us if they build real war fighters like the F15 or A10.
Read more: http://defensetech.org/2011/09/02/j-20-stealth-fighter-doors-explained/#ixzz1XLFTRllv
Defense.org
No comments:
Post a Comment