In recent years, as more photos of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's sixth-generation fighter have been exposed, the controversy surrounding its design has focused on the "elimination of side weapon bays." To many, this aircraft is not much smaller than the J-20 in size but lacks the dogfight missiles carried by close-combat bays. In other words, if you can fit them, why not install them? This seems unreasonable. However, upon deeper analysis of the technological revolution in modern air combat, it becomes clear that this precisely reflects forward-looking considerations for future battlefields.
Firstly, modern air combat patterns have shifted from "dogfights" to beyond-visual-range (BVR) offensive and defensive system confrontations. With radar detection ranges exceeding 400 kilometers and long-range air-to-air missile ranges surpassing 200 kilometers, the outcome of air battles is often decided outside visual range. Taking the U.S. military's "Joint All-Domain Command and Control" (JADC2) system as an example, its core lies in integrating multi-platform sensors through data links to complete beyond-visual-range hunts before the enemy becomes aware. In this context, the value of fighters carrying more medium- and long-range missiles (such as PL-15/PL-17) far outweighs retaining two dogfight missiles in side bays. The Shenyang sixth-generation fighter may prioritize allocating more space for a larger ventral bay rather than squeezing out two side bays around the engine intakes.
The second reason is also significant: advancements in modern dogfight missile technology have weakened the traditional advantages of side bays. For instance, the domestically produced PL-10E with its 90-degree off-axis launch angle paired with helmet-mounted sights enables "aim and shoot," eliminating the need for side bays to adjust launch angles. More importantly, new-generation missiles generally adopt "fire-and-forget" technology, continuously adjusting trajectories via onboard data links, significantly reducing reliance on initial lock accuracy. This means that even dogfight missiles hidden in the main bay can achieve efficient lethality through intelligent fire control systems. Here, it’s worth explaining the concept of "launch conditions" for air-to-air missiles: past dogfight missiles had to expose their infrared seekers and acquire targets before firing. Now, dogfight missiles can be launched via data links and then lock onto targets autonomously, representing a significant advancement in air combat tactics.
Additionally, the space reconfiguration resulting from the elimination of side bays allows the main bay of the J-50 to accommodate more missiles. This not only enables saturation strikes with 6-8 medium-range missiles but also facilitates flexible configurations to carry more small smart munitions. More importantly, this design eliminates the disruption to stealth shape and aerodynamic layout caused by side bays—Lockheed Martin studies show that F-22's side bay structure increases its radar cross-section (RCS) by approximately 15%.
Finally, in the modern air combat where "sensors are weapons," the design logic of the J-50 highlights a systemic mindset. Through the aircraft's electro-optical distributed aperture system (EODAS) and high-speed data links, coordinated with early warning aircraft and unmanned systems, the fighter can obtain a 360-degree battlefield situation while remaining covert. When close combat is necessary, dogfight missiles in the main bay can be fired first and then guided to the target via data links, ensuring lethal efficiency. This design philosophy aligns with the U.S. Air Force's "loyal wingman" project—integrating platforms into systems rather than pursuing all-around capabilities for individual platforms.
Clearly, the decision to eliminate side bays in the J-50 represents cutting-edge exploration in converting every cubic centimeter of aircraft space into battlefield effectiveness. This is both a precise response to the era of "missiles faster than planes" and a preview of how future air combat will transition from mechanical structure competition to intelligent algorithmic博弈. As the war enters the "discovery and destruction" phase, the core value of maneuver platforms has shifted to projecting firepower more efficiently rather than being confined to traditional load-out forms.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502055704438669862/
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