A Very PLAF New Year - First LRIP Production J-20 fighter delivered

[andrew123]

Something I saw a while back, but may be of interest to someone here.

The PLAF has received their first LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) model of the J-20 5th generation fighter, the "2101."

It seems that the second production batch might be fitted with the WS-15 engines, but the first ones are fitted with the anemic AL-31F's. This mean that the initial models aren't capable of supercruising.

 

Flight test of the 2017 prototype model.

 

This is happening in parallel with other Chinese military developments, including the refitting of their Type-051 destroyers with VLS cells in place of the Crotale launcher and two new 30 mm CIWS's.

 

The PLAN is also in the process of constructing their Type-001A training carrier with a ski ramp. The Type-002 and follow on models may have EMALS and nuclear propulsion.

 

The Type-001A and the current Ukrainian carrier are meant to train future carrier crews.

 

Some ops from the current carrier with the J-15's.

 

They are also planning future Type-055 destroyer models (one of which is under construction since the December of 2014) with integrated electric propulsion, a 32 MJ railgun, laser/railgun CIWS, and 128 VLS cells.

A picture of a land based mock up. They fitted it with prototype systems.

 

The Chinese are also working on the H-20 stealth bomber and the Sharp Sword UCAV, which bear an uncanny resemblance to certain US military projects.

 

They are also working on the Y-20 strategic lifter.

 

Some EMALS testing facilities.

 

China has also tested the DF-41 rail based ICBM, capable of carrying (by chinese military rumors) 10 warheads in a MIRV configuration, similar to the American rail based Peacekeeper concept.

 

 

In some other news, Japan has sworn to reinforce the first island chain (all the way to Taiwan) with Type-088 AShM's and new SAM's (Chui Kai and Patriot) to deny China strategic leeway in any case of open shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2016 by andrew123