China's breakthrough with the jet engine
The Chinese military has made significant improvements in its ability to produce more jet engine engines on their own. Combining robust aircraft development and production plans with a desire for China to enter the 5 th generation space, where Russia may not be able to supply later models engines like the 117S has made China a strong motivator to become more self-sufficient in the design and manufacture of high performance jet engines.
According to Wang Ya'nan - a military expert who is also chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine - a series technological breakthroughs has narrowed the gap between China's leading nations and China's in jet engine design. This includes a surge in indigenous research, the creation of an Aero Engine Corporation of China and breakthroughs made in key materials like single crystal blades.
A major milestone was reached in 2002, when a Chinese-designed, produced, and tested jet engine made its debut at the Zhuhai Airshow. The WP-14 Kunlun was used to fit several variations of the Chengdu J-7, Shenyang J-8 engines.
Although the WP-14 took more than 20 years to design, it was widely recognized as China’s first jet engine. It is also used by several Chinese Air Force fourth-generation fighters. It is also being applied on the J-15 and Xi'an Y-20 which will eventually be the nation's first fifth generation aircraft.
Although Chinese jet engines still trail foreign counterparts in thrust, they are becoming more reliable and being used in increasing numbers by PLA Air Force and PLAN aviation. Chinese technicians are learning how they can extend the life span of Russian-made AL-31F turbofans. This is helping them get the best performance from their engines. They will also be able to develop new engines that are stronger, more durable, easier to replace on the field, and able to withstand higher levels of abuse.
China's CCTV reported that the WS-15 engine, an under-developed engine, has emerged. This engine can perform thrust vector control and has a high bypass ratio. It's believed that the WS-15 will be used on the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon, as well as on a rumored future two-seat carrier-borne jet based on the Xi'an Y-20, the Eurasian Times reported.
The J-20 currently has a Russian-made WS-10C Turbofan. This is a temporary arrangement to mass produce the J-20 while the Chinese WS-15 is available for testing. The engine is reported to be more powerful that the AL-31F turbofan. It can also experience performance power drops during maneuvers, and can experience disturbed airflow and fuel flow problems if it is too steep.
Despite these problems, the WS-10C has been used in the J-20 for over 10 years and is proving to be more than capable for this aircraft. In fact, the WS-10C is so reliable and is so efficient that more J-20s are being used in the PLA Air Force fleet than before, the media report said.