J-20 changes on 2011

[Voyage]

I notice many people have missed a major change on the 2011 prototype (or demonstrator): the edges around air inlet, vertical tails and fins are of special grey colored stripe-like structures, very similar to the RAS structures widely used in other VLO planes such as F-22. RAS is far more advanced and complex than traditional RAM. Must be more costly. So far, we don't see the similar application on Russian T-50. We have reason to believe J-20 is destinated to be a VLO fighter! at least in key front hemisphere. Well, I still hope it will use LOAN for engines to reduce RCS in the rear in later phase, even with only limited 2-D axle vector thrust.

[deino]

I put together what's new ...

- a Raptor-style light-grey colour scheme,
- the engines' diverterless supersonic intakes appear to have been re-designed, perhaps to improve the radar cross section characteristics.
- an additional inner canopy frame similar to the F-35
- clipped tails and canards (which now seem to be integrated much better with the forward fuselage)
- re-designed wheel bay doors
- a reduction in the size of the wing actuators
- a new frameless wide-angle holographic head-up display
- an electro optical targeting system protruding under the front fuselage
- several new dielectric panels around the front fuselage
- wider and longer sponsoons/tail stings (where the tails are mounted)
- redesigned LERX with no longer an arc but straight leading edge
- probably a redesigned rear fuselage featuring a wider and deeper “ditch” between both engines.
- tire fairings for the main landing gear are larger (but it may just be that the re-designed LERX which intersects it is less voluminous than it used to be)
- a small ventral bump of unknown function has moved from the port side of the rear fuselage to starboard.
- squared rather than round nose landing gear lights

Did I miss anything ?

Deino