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Chengdu J-20

April 08, 2023

The Chengdu J-20 (Chinese: 歼-20; pinyin: Jiān-Èrlíng), also known as Mighty Dragon (Chinese: 威龙; pinyin: Wēilóng),[9][10][11] is a twinjet all-weather stealth[12] fighter aircraft developed by China's Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).[5] The J-20 is designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability.[13] The aircraft has three variants: the initial production model J-20A, the thrust-vectoring J-20B, and twin-seat aircraft teaming capable J-20S.

J-20 Mighty Dragon
J-20 flight at the 2022 Changchun Air Show
Role Stealth air superiority fighter
National origin China
Manufacturer Chengdu Aerospace Corporation
First flight 11 January 2011; 12 years ago[1][2]
Introduction 9 March 2017[3][4]
Status In service[5]
Primary user People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced 2009–present[6]
Number built 150–208[7][8] (as of 2022)
Developed from J-XX

Descending from the J-XX program of the 1990s,[14] the aircraft made its maiden flight on 11 January 2011,[1][2] and was officially revealed at the 2016 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[15] The aircraft entered service in March 2017[5] with the first J-20 combat unit formed in February 2018,[5] making China the second country in the world and the first in Asia to field an operational stealth aircraft.[16] The J-20 is the world's third operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft after the F-22 and F-35.[16]

Development

 
The two Chengdu J-20s making their first public appearance at Airshow China 2016

The J-20 emerged from the late-1990s J-XX program. In 2008, the PLAAF endorsed Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal, Project 718; Shenyang's proposed aircraft was larger than the J-20.[14] Chengdu had previously used the double-canard configuration in the J-9, its first design and cancelled in the 1970s, and the J-10.[17][18]

In 2009, a senior PLAAF official revealed that the first flight was expected in 2010–11, with a service entry date by 2019.[19] On 22 December 2010, the first J-20 prototype underwent high speed taxiing tests outside the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI).[6][20] Three months later, the first J-20 prototype made its maiden flight in Chengdu.[1][2] The first prototype was painted with the number "2001". In May 2012, the second prototype took flight in the CADI facility.[21][22]

Several changes were made to the third J-20 prototype, numbered "2011", which made its maiden flight in March 2014.[23] The new prototype showed increasing sophistication in design, including numerous subtle changes from the first two prototypes.[23] The new airframe introduced modified diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) intakes, stealth coating, streamlined underwing fairings, and redesigned vertical stabilizers. Analysts noted new equipment and devices for multi-role operations, such as integrated targeting pods for precision-guided munition, and six additional passive infrared sensors can also be spotted around the aircraft.[24][25][26]

In December 2015, the low rate initial production (LRIP) version of the J-20 was spotted by military observers.[27][28] The LRIP aircraft revealed dielectric surfaces that were previously painted for prototypes, potentially containing various sensors or baked-in radar absorbing materials.[27]

In October 2017, Chinese state media reported that the designs of the J-20 had been finalized, and were ready for mass production as well as being combat-ready.[29] In March 2018, Chinese military revealed other versions of the J-20 platform were being developed.[30]

In January 2019, Chinese media reported that a twin-seat variant of the J-20 is rumored to be in development for use in tactical bombing, electronic warfare and carrier strike roles.[31]

In November 2019, a J-20 painted in yellow primer coating was spotted during its flight testing by defense observers at the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation manufacturing facility. The aircraft is equipped with a new variant of WS-10 Taihang engines with serrated afterburner nozzles to enhance stealth.[32][33] Report indicated Chengdu Aerospace Corporation terminated the manufacturing of J-20 with Russian engines in mid-2019.[34]

Chinese media reported that a new variant of the J-20, the J-20B, was unveiled on July 8, 2020, and entered mass production the same day. The only change mentioned was that the J-20B was to be equipped with thrust vectoring control.[35] Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact engine type. Analyst Andreas Rupprecht expressed skepticism regarding the use of Russian engines on the J-20, as he believes that the J-20 is using a variant of the WS-10, which he called the WS-10C. This engine has improved thrust, stealthier serrated afterburner nozzles, and higher reliability, but it is not designed for thrust vectoring, unlike the WS-10 TVC demonstrated on a J-10 in 2018 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[36] Analyst Jamie Hunter believed the new engine type is what he called WS-10B-3, a Chinese-made thrust-vectoring engine demonstrated on the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow.[34]

In January 2021, South China Morning Post reported that China would replace Russian engines on the J-20 stealth fighter with a type of Chinese engine called WS-10C.[37][38] In June 2021, Chinese media confirmed that an aviation brigade is assigned with the enhanced J-20A variant that integrates domestic WS-10C engines.[39] Despite the replacement, WS-10C is considered another interim solution before Xian WS-15 passes evaluations. Moreover, WS-10C will not be equipped on the J-20B, the thrust-vectoring version of the J-20 that entered mass production in 2019, which still required further testing. Overall, Chinese engineers believe WS-10C is comparable with AL-31F in performance,[40][41] and the replacement would also reduce China's dependency on Russian engines.[41] The WS-10C-powered J-20 has officially showcased to the public on 28 September 2021 at Zhuhai Airshow.[40][42][43]

The development of a twin-seater variant was hinted at by J-20's chief designer in 2019.[44] In January 2021, Aviation Industry Corporation of China released computer renderings of the twin-seat variant of the J-20 fighter in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the jet's maiden flight.[45] In February 2021, a South China Morning Post infographic depicted a twin-seat J-20 variant powered by thrust vectoring WS-10C.[46] In October 2021, a taxiing prototype, dubbed J-20S by analysts,[47][48] was spotted near Chengdu Aerospace Corporation facilities, making J-20S the first-ever two-seat stealth fighter.[49][50] The twin-seat design allows the possibility for the second operator to coordinate attacks and reconnaissance missions from other friendly aircraft via networking or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) linked via "loyal wingman" systems and sensors. The advantage of a second operator includes the potential for better interpreting and exploiting the enormous sensory data that could overload the limited cognitive and processing capacity for a single human, especially in a contested air combat environment.[48][51]

In March 2022, Chinese state media reported that the J-20 had performed trials with the WS-15 engine.[52] In December 2022, Chinese military analysts indicated the WS-15 was undertaking the last stage of testing and development.[53] In late December, a prototype of the new J-20 variant was observed at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation facilities. The new variant was painted in yellow premier and different from previous J-20 aircraft in airframe design, with a low-profile blended canopy, aiming to optimize transonic flight performance and maneuverability. The new prototype was speculated to be used to test the WS-15 engine and thrust-vectoring.[54][55] In March 2023, the executive of Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) announced the serial production of the WS-15 has started.[56] FlightGlobal speculated that small-scale production and in-flight testing with the J-20 fighter was underway.[57]

Design

 
Chengdu J-20 showcasing maneuverability at Airshow China 2018.

Characteristics

The J-20 has a long and blended fuselage, with a chiseled nose section and a frameless canopy. Immediately behind the cockpit are low-observable diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) intakes. All-moving canard surfaces with pronounced dihedral are placed behind the intakes, followed by leading edge extensions (LERX) merging into the delta wing with forward-swept trailing edges. The aft section has twin outward canted all-moving fins, short but deep ventral strakes, and conventional or low-observable[13] engine exhausts.[58][59]

One important design criterion for the J-20 is high instability.[60][61] This requires sustained pitch authority at a high angle of attack, in which a conventional tail-plane would lose effectiveness due to stalling. On the other hand, a canard can deflect opposite to the angle of attack, avoiding stall and thereby maintaining control.[62] A canard design is also known to provide good supersonic performance, excellent supersonic and transonic turn performance, and improved short-field landing performance compared to the conventional delta-wing design.[63][64]

Leading edge extensions and body lift are incorporated to enhance performance in a canard layout. This combination is said by the designer to generate 1.2 times the lift of an ordinary canard delta, and 1.8 times more lift than an equivalent-sized pure delta configuration. The designer claims such a combination allows the use of a smaller wing, reducing supersonic drag without compromising transonic lift-to-drag characteristics that are crucial to the aircraft's turn performance.[60][61][65]

The use of a bubble canopy, extensive flight-control surfaces, and canard configuration for angle-of-attack control indicates J-20's intention to operate in air-superiority missions and within-visual-range engagements. Chief test pilot Li Gang describes the J-20 as having comparable manoeuvrability to the Chengdu J-10 while being significantly better at low-observable (LO) performance. The J-20 is a multirole air superiority fighter, with the interceptor role being just one of the options.[13]

Avionics and cockpit

 
Chengdu J-20 displaying weapon bays, missiles, and avionics during Airshow China 2018.

The J-20 avionics aim to obtain situational awareness through advanced sensor fusion while denying situational awareness to the adversary through stealth and electronic warfare. The J-20 features an integrated avionic suite consisting of multi-spectral sensors capable of providing omnidirectional coverage.[13] Official information on the type of radar that J-20s use has not yet been released publicly. Some analysts believed that J-20s used Type 1475 (KLJ-5) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with 1856 transmit/receive modules,[66] but more recent information revealed that this radar was designed for upgraded versions of the J-11D.[67] Other analysts point out that, based on the nose cross-section of the J-20 and known data about a single transmit/receive module surface in the J-16's AESA radar system, J-20s likely contain 2000–2200 transmit/receive modules.[68]

Prototypes after application "2011" and production models feature a revised nose section with an electro-optical/infra-red targeting system and an advanced communications suite on top of the aircraft, enabling it to datalink with other friendly platforms in service, such as airborne early-warning drones. Six electro-optic sensors called the Distributed Aperture System[N 1] (similar to EODAS) can provide omnidirectional coverage for the pilot with a sensor fusion system combining the radar signal with the IR image to provide better situational awareness.[12][69] Underneath the nose, is an optical sensor system mounted inside a diamond-shaped golden-mirrored enclosure. Beijing A-Star Science and Technology has developed the EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system and Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System for the J-20, and potentially for other PLAAF fighters, to passively detect, identify, track, and intercept stealth aircraft without emitting electromagnetic signals.[70][71] The combination of an integrated under-nose targeting pod with the six spherically-located passive-optical tracking sensors is reportedly similar to the design concept of Lockheed Martin F-35's avionic suite.[72]

The aircraft features a fully-digital glass cockpit with one primary large color liquid-crystal display (LCD) touchscreen, three smaller auxiliary displays, and a wide-angle holographic heads-up display (HUD).[73][74][75] The size of the primary LCD screen is 610 mm × 230 mm (24 in × 9 in), 650 mm (25.63 in) diagonal size, with two illumination systems for operational redundancy.[76] The aircraft is fitted with a helmet-mounted display (HMD) system, which displays combat information inside the pilots' helmet visor and facilities firing missiles at high off-boresight angle.[77][78]

Armament

The main weapon bay is capable of housing both long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM; PL-12, PL-15 – PL-21) and precision-guided munitions (PGM; LS-6/50, LS-6/100),[79] while the two smaller lateral weapon bays behind the air inlets are intended for short-range AAMs (PL-10). These side bays allow closure of the bay doors prior to firing the missile, enhancing stealth and allowing the missile to be fired in the shortest possible time.[80][81] The J-20 reportedly lacks an internal autocannon or rotary cannon, suggesting the aircraft is not intended for use in short-range dogfight engagements with other aircraft but to engage from long standoff ranges with missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-21.[82][83] The J-20 will likely use air-to-air missiles to engage in air superiority combat with other aircraft and to destroy high-value airborne assets. Supplemental missions may include launching anti-radiation missiles and air-to-ground munitions for precision-strike missions.[84]

While the fighter typically carries weapons internally, the wings include four hardpoints for auxiliary fuel tanks to extend the ferrying range.[85] However, much like the F-22, the J-20 is unlikely to carry fuel tanks on combat missions due to its vulnerability in such a configuration; the value of this configuration is relevant to such peacetime operations as transiting between airbases.[86] The fighter is able to carry four medium/long-range AAMs in the main bay and one short-range missile in each lateral weapon bay.[87] A staggered arrangement of six PL-15s is possible for potential future missile rail launchers.[77]

Engines

Engine models identified on the J-20
Engine type Platform Introduction Capabilities
LO TVC SC
WS-10B J-20 (LRIP) 2015[88][89] No No No
AL-31FM2 J-20A 2011[34][90] No No No
WS-10C J-20A 2019[34][84] Yes No[91] No[N 2]
WS-10B-3 J-20B 2019[34] Yes Yes No
WS-15 J-20B 2022 (testing)[52] Yes Yes Yes

The J-20 entered production powered by an improved Lyulka-Saturn AL-31 variant, reportedly the AL-31FM2 developed by Salyut.[90] The engine has a "special power setting" thrust of 145 kN (32,600 lbf).[94][95]

The next interim engine was the Shenyang WS-10. The WS-10B reportedly powered low rate initial production aircraft in 2015,[88] and was used as an interim engine before the adoption of the AL-31.[96][97] There are conflicting reports concerning the powerplant of the TVC-equipped J-20B.[35] The powerplant has been identified as the AL-31FM2, or a variant of the WS-10; "WS-10C" by Andreas Rupprecht,[36] or "WS-10B-3" by Jamie Hunter. The TVC-equipped WS-10B-3 was demonstrated at the 2018 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[34]

The push to replace the AL-31 with the WS-10C followed the failure of the WS-15 to pass trials in 2019.[97] Aircraft powered by WS-10Cs were flying by September 2019.[40] The engine has a thrust of 142-147 kN, and has serrated afterburner nozzles for enhanced rear-aspect stealth.[34][40] Flights with prototypes[98] powered by the WS-10C were underway by November 2020.[99] In June 2021, Chinese media confirmed that the WS-10C was powering operational J-20As.[39] In January 2022, it was reported that aircraft powered by the WS-10C would be upgraded with TVC.[91]

The intended powerplant is the Xian WS-15,[90] with a thrust of 180 kN,[100] which is required for supercruise.[89] The engine's development was ongoing in 2019.[90][97] In March 2022, Chinese state media reported that the J-20 had performed trials with the engine and experienced significantly improved performance. It was also reported that eventually new production and existing aircraft powered by the AL-31 would be fitted with the WS-15.[52]

The aircraft is equipped with a retractable refueling probe embedded on the right side of the cockpit, to help the fighter to maintain stealth while flying greater distances.[101]

Stealth

Analysts noted that the J-20's airframe employs a holistic approach to reduce its radar cross-section (RCS), uniquely combining canard wings with leading edge root extensions (LERX).[30][13] The chined forebody, modified radar radome, and electroconductive canopy[13] use a stealth shaping, yielding signature performance in a mature design similar to the F-22.[102] The diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI) leading into serpentine inlets (S-ducts) can obscure the reflective surface of the engine from radar detection. DSI intakes save weight, reduce complexity, and minimize radar signature. Additional low-observable features include a flat fuselage bottom holding an internal weapons bay, sawtooth edges on compartment doors, mesh coverings on cooling ports at the base of the vertical tails, embedded antennas, and radar-absorbent coating materials.[103][13] While the aircraft's fins/strakes and axisymmetric rear areas may expose the aircraft to radar, the overall stealth shaping is robust and considerably more capable than the Russian PAK-FA.[58][104] Improvements regarding stealth were subsequently introduced - one prototype in 2014 was powered by WS-10 engines equipped with different jagged-edge nozzles and tiles for greater stealth.[105] The J-20 production model with the serrated WS-10C engine is also capable of mitigating negative effects on rear-aspect stealth.[106]

Others have raised doubts about the use of canards on a low-observable design, stating that canards would guarantee radar detection and compromise stealth.[107][108] However, these critiques with respect to the canards' RCS may be unfounded.[13] Canards and low-observability are not necessarily mutually exclusive designs. Northrop Grumman's proposal for the U.S. Navy's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) incorporated canards on a stealthy airframe.[109][110] Lockheed Martin employed canards on a stealth airframe for the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) program during early development before dropping them due to complications with aircraft carrier recovery.[111][112] McDonnell Douglas and NASA's X-36 featured canards and was considered to be extremely stealthy.[113] Radar cross-section can be further reduced by controlling canard deflection through flight-control software, as on the Eurofighter.[114][115] Similarly, Chinese aerospace researchers also concluded that, in terms of stealth, the canard delta configuration is comparable with the conventional arrangement.[116] Defense observer Rick Joe believes J-20's configuration is stealthy, while there is a lack of evidence for the popular assumption of canards' inherent incompatibility with stealth.[106]

Composite materials are applied to minimize the J-20's radar-cross sections.[71] The diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) enables an aircraft to reach Mach 2.0 with a simpler intake than traditionally required, and improves stealth performance by eliminating radar reflections between the diverter and the aircraft's skin. Analysts have also noted that the J-20 DSI reduces the need for the application of radar-absorbent materials.[117][118] A removable radar reflectors (Luneburg lens) is mounted on the underside of the J-20 to amplify its radar returns, concealing the real radar signature.[71] In the 2021 production model, the emitter is re-engineered to be retractable.[119]

In May 2018, Indian Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa claimed at a press conference that the radars on India's Su-30MKI fighters were "good enough" and could detect a J-20 from "several kilometers away" while answering a question on whether the J-20 posed a threat to India.[120][121] Analyst Justin Bronk from Royal United Services Institute noted that Chinese were possibly flying the J-20 with radar reflectors during peacetime for safety and training purposes due to the potential for accidents and identification from other aircraft or ground installations.[122] In a more recent report, Bronk also states that even with limited stealth, J-20 could hide and strike enemy critical platforms in an airspace with background clutter caused by non-stealth fighters and other electromagnetic noise.[84] Despite debate regarding J-20's stealth capability, military analysts agree that the J-20's stealth design is superior to that of the Russian Su-57[13][123] and its stealth profile could be further enhanced as the program matures.[124][125]

Operational history

 
Two J-20 fighters breaking formation

Flight testing

On 10 December 2010, the first J-20 prototype was observed undertaking high speed taxiing tests around the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI) facilities before the maiden flight.[6]

On 11 January 2011, the first J-20 prototype (numbered "2001") made its first flight, lasting about 15 minutes, with a Chengdu J-10B serving as the chase aircraft.[1][2] After the successful flight, a ceremony was held, attended by the pilot, Li Gang, Chief Designer Yang Wei and General Li Andong, Deputy-Director of General Armaments.[126] On 17 April 2011, a second test flight of an hour and 20 minutes took place.[127] On 5 May 2011, a 55-minute test flight was held that included retraction of the landing gear.[128] On 26 February 2012, the first prototype J-20 performed various low-altitude maneuvers.[129][130]

On 10 May 2012, the second prototype (numbered "2002") underwent high-speed taxiing tests, and flight testing that began later that month.[131][22] On 20 October 2012, photographs of the prototype with open compartment doors and a modified pitot tube emerged,[N 3] suggesting the possible inclusion of radar or sensors. In March 2013, images of the side weapon bays appeared, displaying a missile launch rail.[132][133]

On 16 January 2014, the third J-20 prototype was revealed, showing new intakes, embedded engine nozzles, and stealth coating, as well as redesigned vertical stabilizers, and an Electro-Optical Targeting System.[105][25][134] This particular aircraft, numbered "2011", performed its maiden flight on 1 March 2014 and is said to represent the initial pre-serial standard.[23]

By the end of 2014, three more pre-serial prototypes were flown, each with incremental improvements to the design. The fourth prototype "2012" was tested on 26 July 2014, sharing many similarities with the "2011". This pair of aircraft was reportedly powered by AL-31FM2 engines.[135][136] The fifth prototype, numbered "2013", took off on 29 November 2014.[137] Three weeks later, number "2015" made its maiden flight on 19 December 2014, indicating rapid construction capability. Both prototypes featured retractable aerial refueling probes and infrared-suppression engine nozzles.[103] The sixth prototype "2015" featured a slight alteration to tail booms, suggesting the installation of rear-facing sensors. Chinese Air Force also modified an airliner to serve as the AESA radar test-bed for the J-20 program.[137]

On 13 September 2015, a new prototype, marked "2016", began testing. It had noticeable improvements, such as apparently modified DSI bumps on the intakes. The DSI changes suggested the possibility of more powerful engines being used than its predecessors, likely to be an advanced 14-ton thrust derivative of the Russian AL-31 or Chinese Shenyang WS-10 turbofan engines. By 2020, the J-20 is scheduled to use the 18–19 ton WS-15 engine, enabling the jet to supercruise without using afterburners. The trapezoidal flight booms around the engines were further enlarged, possibly to accommodate rearwards-facing radars, electronic countermeasures, and jamming equipment. The fuselage was extended to the engine's exhaust nozzles. Compared to its "2014" and "2015" predecessors, the engine's surface area is further embedded inside the stealthy coating, providing greater rear-facing stealth against enemy detection.[103]

On 24 November 2015, a new J-20 prototype, numbered "2017", took to the sky. The most significant change in the new prototype was the reshaped cockpit canopy, which provides the pilot with greater visibility. The lack of other design changes suggested that "2017" is very close to the final J-20 production configuration. Since '2017' was likely the last J-20 prototype, the low rate initial production (LRIP) of the J-20 is likely to begin in 2016.[138] Chinese media reported that the design of the J-20 was frozen and finalized, as formal ceremonies were held for the prototype "2017" after completing the flight testing.[139] The LRIP version later appeared in December 2015.[27]

In March 2017, Chinese media reported that the fighter entered service. But it still faced a series of technical challenges that needed to be tackled, including the reliability of its WS-15 engines, the aircraft's flight control system, stealth coatings, hull materials, and infrared sensor.[140] In September 2017, a newly-built J-20 prototype (numbered "2021") was flight testing with Chinese-made WS-10 Taihang engines, featuring sawtoothed serration edge on its afterburning nozzles.[141] The J-20 with indigenous WS-10C engines began production in 2019.[34][84]

In September 2018, it was reported that issues with the development of the WS-15 engine, particularly the reliability of the turbine blades overheating at top speeds were fixed.[142] The WS-15 reportedly required further development after failing final verification testing at the end of 2019.[41] The COVID-19 pandemic imposed further delays.[97] In March 2022, Chinese state media reported that the WS-15 engine completed final testing.[143]

In November 2021, the US military reported that the J-20 was gradually receiving upgrades.[144] In the same month, new J-20 two-seater variant began flight testing.[145]

In December 2022, the prototype "2051" in yellow premier coat took flight. The new prototype had a redesigned canopy section and was speculated to be used to test the WS-15 engine and thrust-vectoring[54][55]

Production

In late December 2015, a new J-20 numbered 2101 was spotted; it is believed to be the LRIP version of the aircraft.[27] Chinese media suggested the stealth aircraft will enter production ahead of schedule.[146] In July 2016, pre-production models with dark-grey paint and low visibility insignias were spotted inside a Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) facility. The production rate indicated an intended initial operational capability (IOC) date of around 2017-2018.[147]

In October 2017, Chinese media reported that CAC initiated the serial production for the J-20 and is on a path towards achieving full operational capability with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). State media described the CAC's production rate as "stable", meaning achieving a regular production rate for minimal economies of scale. The production rate was expected to be three aircraft per month.[148][149]

In 2019, Chengdu Aerospace Corporation began manufacturing J-20 fitted with Chinese-made WS-10 Taihang engines.[32] J-20s manufactured after mid-2019 were no longer fitted with Russian AL-31F turbofan engines.[34] In June 2021, J-20A with Chinese-made WS-10C engines were incorporated into active service.[39] The production rate of J-20 was expected to be further increased.[150][151] In January 2022, analyst Derek Solen estimated 50 to 74 fighters were in service based on open-source intelligence.[152] In August 2022, Li Xiaobing reported that over 150 had been delivered;[7] claims of 150 being in service had been made in 2021.[153][154]

In November 2022, high-resolution photos revealed over 200 J-20 fighters had been manufactured. According to analyst Andreas Rupprecht, a total of four batches of J-20 have been delivered with 18, 46, 56, and 70 airframes for each shipment based on his conservative estimate. The new pictures also indicated significantly improved manufacturing tolerance and quality control.[8][155] According to the Chinese military, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation accelerated the manufacturing and delivery of the J-20 fighter due to the implementation of pulse assembly line. Chinese military analysts believed the initiative aimed to counter-balance the increasing numbers of F-35 fighters deployed by the United States in Asia.[156][157]

Training

Pilot training for the J-20 started as early as March 2017, after the fighter entered limited service in the initial operational capability (IOC) phase. During the IOC phase, the fighters are equipped with radar reflectors, also known as Luneburg lens, to enlarge and conceal the actual radar cross-section.[158][122]

The J-20 participated in its first combat exercise in January 2018, practicing beyond-visual-range maneuvers against China's fourth-generation fighters such as J-16 and J-10C. The exercise was reported to be realistic. [159] Training with mixed generations allows pilots to become familiar with fifth-generation aircraft, and to develop tactics both for and against them.[160] Chinese Ministry of National Defense also revealed that J-20 has conducted night confrontation missions during several coordinated tactical training exercises.[161]

The J-20 participated in its first over-ocean combat exercise in May 2018.[162]

In April 2022, the J-20 is confirmed to be engaged in regular maritime portals in the East China Sea and the South China Sea for routine training missions, in a statement released by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.[163][164]

Deployment

On 12 December 2016, at least six J-20s were observed in PLAAF air bases, with tail numbers 78271-78276 identified.[165] Another six were believed to be ready for delivery by the end of December 2016.[166] On 9 March 2017, Chinese media revealed that the J-20 had entered service in the Chinese air force,[3][4] making China the second country in the world—after the United States—and the first in Asia to field an operational fifth-generation stealth aircraft.[16] Chinese National Defense Ministry confirmed the service status in September 2017.[159] It is anticipated that frontline units could be equipped with the low observable combat aircraft before 2020. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) proposed that, as the trend continues, the US could lose its monopoly on operational stealth aircraft.[167]

The PLAAF began inducting J-20s into combat units in February 2018,[5] one month after its first combat drill.[159] The aircraft entered service with the 9th Air Brigade based at Wuhu Air Base, Anhui province in late 2018 – March 2019, replacing Su-30MKK fighters previously deployed there.[5][168]

On 27 August 2019, the Central Military Commission of the People's Liberation Army approved the J-20 as the PLAN's future primary fighter, beating out the Shenyang FC-31. Arguments for the J-20 state that the plane is far more advanced, longer-ranged, and carries a heavier payload than the FC-31, while those supporting the FC-31 argued that it is cheaper, lighter, and far more maneuverable than the J-20. The J-20 would likely be commissioned upon the Type 003 aircraft carrier under construction, however, the length of the J-20 means that it has to be shortened to be considered operable on an aircraft carrier.[169]

On 26 June 2021, Chinese state media reported that J-20 fighters were deployed to PLAAF units monitoring East China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Analysts suggested that the Chinese Air Force aimed to equip at least one to two brigades in each of the five theater commands before 2026.[170] On 19 April 2022, satellites image indicated that all five theater commands had equipped with J-20A fighters,[171] which was later confirmed by the Chinese Air Force spokesperson on a press release in September.[172]

In March 2022, the United States Air Force (USAF) general Kenneth Wilsbach confirmed that USAF F-35s have encountered J-20s deployed over the East China Sea.[173]

In April 2022, Chinese state media reported J-20 started regular patrol in the South China Sea.[174]

Variants

J-20A

J-20A is the first production variant of the J-20 platform. Flight testing began with prototypes in late 2010, with maiden flight in 2011. The variant entered serial production in October 2017. J-20A was incorporated into training units of the People's Liberation Army Air Force in March 2017[90] and combat units in February 2018.[5]

J-20B

Improved J-20 variant with thrust-vectoring control (TVC) engines.[36] The variant entered production on 8 July 2020.[35] Early batch received Shenyang WS-10B-3 TVC engines,[34] while the intended powerplant is the thrust vectoring, supercruise capable WS-15.[52]

J-20S

The twin-seat variant of J-20, named J-20S, J-20AS or J-20B by defense analysts,[51] is a version of J-20 in development.[47] J-20S was first spotted in October 2021, taxiing inside a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation facility in yellow primer paint and untreated composite,[175][176] making it the first twin-seat stealth fighter in the world.[48][47]

The twin-seat design allows the possibility for the second operator to conduct airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) missions, which J-20 would leverage its avionics and networking capability to provide battlespace surveillance, battle management, and intelligence analysis. The stealth fighter could act as a more survivable and distributed alternative to traditional airborne warning and command post aircraft.[177] Another possibility is to coordinate attacks and reconnaissance missions from unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) linked via "loyal wingman" systems and sensors.[48][51][178] China is known to be developing various "loyal wingman" prototypes such as AVIC Dark Sword.[176] In addition to aircraft teaming, a twin-seat configuration may also provide marginal benefits in pilot training and strike missions.[48][176]

The advantage of a second operator includes the potential for better interpreting and exploiting the enormous sensory data, which could overload the limited cognitive and processing capacity of a single human.[48][51] The back-seater operator would focus on managing the manned or unmanned aircraft fleet, reducing the pilot's workload in a contested air combat environment.[176][179] With increased automation and artificial intelligence in the aircraft system, the two men crew would likely be able to delegate more complex AEW&C tasks, absorb information, and make tactical decisions.[177]

In August 2022, a Chinese defense publication suggested the twin-seat variant could be used as an electronic warfare platform.[180] In October 2022, Chinese media showcased the concept of the J-20 two-seater controlling stealth Hongdu GJ-11 unmanned combat aerial vehicle, and the back seat is designated for the weapons officer.[181][182] It could also potentially manage the LJ-1, a low-end modular drone platform.[183]

Strategic implications

Political

The first test flight coincided with a visit by United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to China, and was initially interpreted by the Pentagon as a possible signal to the visiting US delegation. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, secretary Gates said, "I asked President Hu about it directly, and he said that the test had absolutely nothing to do with my visit and there had been a pre-planned test."[184][185] Hu seemed surprised by Gates' inquiry.[186][187][188] Abraham M. Denmark of the Center for New American Security in Washington, along with Michael Swaine, an expert on the PLA and United States–China military relations, explained that senior officials are not involved in the day-to-day management of aircraft development and were unaware of the test.[185][84]

Military

Robert Gates downplayed the significance of the aircraft by questioning how stealthy the J-20 may be, but stated the J-20 would "put some of our capabilities at risk, and we have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programs."[189] The U.S. Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper testified that the United States knew about the program for a long time and that the test flight was not a surprise.[190]

In 2011, Loren B. Thompson (Lexington Institute), echoed by a 2015 RAND Corporation report, felt that J-20's combination of forward stealth and long-range puts America's surface assets at risk and that a long-range maritime strike capability may cause the United States more concern than a short-range air-superiority fighter like the F-22.[191][192][193] In its 2011 Annual Report to Congress, the Pentagon described the J-20 as "a platform capable of long-range, penetrating strikes into complex air defense environments."[194] A 2012 report by the U.S.‐China Economic and Security Review Commission suggests that the United States may have underestimated the speed of development of the J-20 and several other Chinese military development projects.[195]

In the early 2010s, Western observers were not able to reach a consensus on the J-20's primary role or its specific capabilities. Experts and analysts called into question many of China's claims and stated it was considered a low observability aircraft but did not fall in the category of a true stealth aircraft based on U.S. Military standards.[196][197][198][199][200]

After the deployment announcement in 2018, several analysts noted that the experience that the PLAAF will gain with the J-20 would give China a significant edge over India, Japan, and South Korea, which have struggled to design and produce their own fifth-generation fighters on schedule.[12] However, despite the failure of their indigenous projects, Japan and South Korea would soon operate the imported F-35A in 2019 equipped with better situational awareness and jet propulsion technology, negating this potential technological disparity.[201][202] United States Marine Corps created a full-scale replica (FSR) of a Chengdu J-20 in December 2018. The replica was spotted parked outside the Air Dominance Center at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia. The United States Marine Corps later confirmed that the aircraft was built for training.[203]

By 2019, aviation researchers believed that the progress of J-20 signified that China had surpassed Russia in the application of contemporary aviation technologies such as composite materials, advanced avionics, and long-range weapons systems.[204][205] According to Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute, the J-20 is one of the examples of how China has transitioned from the dependency of Russian technology to developing indigenous sensors and weapons that are superior to those of Russia; and how China is beginning to build a clear lead over Russia in most aspects of combat aircraft development in the 2020s.[206] The J-20 also symbolizes that the Western Bloc is losing the monopoly on stealth fighter technologies.[207]

In March 2022, the United States Air Force (USAF) general Kenneth Wilsbach described J-20s were flying professionally and he is "relatively impressed" with the Chinese command and control structure and AEW&C capabilities after confirming two nations had an encounter in South China Sea.[173][208] In a separate comment, the general mentioned the E-3 Sentry AEW&C aircraft is insufficient for timely detection of the J-20s.[209] In another press conference, Wilsbach downplayed his earlier remarks, saying himself will not "lose sleep about the J-20", but added the United States should keep the innovation pace in the development of sixth-generation fighter technologies to "not lose sleep".[210][211] He later added that the United States knows China is on schedule for its 6th-generation fighter program.[212]

Defense media

Western sources contribute the idea that J-20 is optimized for anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) engagements, while Chinese sources universally describe J-20 as an air-superiority fighter meant to engage other fighters.[13] Rod Lee, research director at the China Aerospace Studies Institute of the Air University, believes J-20 is intended to be primarily used for destroying high-value airborne assets, which is an alternative way of establishing air superiority. Supplemental missions may include launching anti-radiation missiles and air-to-ground munitions. Rod Lee believes J-20 has the maneuverability to engage in air superiority combat with other aircraft, but PLAAF has de-emphasized the traditional attrition warfare while advocating the "systems destruction" approach because they believe it is more effective.[84]

Matthew Jouppi of Aviation Week noted the ill-informed assumptions that existed in defense circles and argued that the United States has not adequately addressed threats posed by the increasing Chinese airpower.[13]

The visual, physical configuration and stealth shaping have been claimed to be influenced by foreign aircraft, including the F-22, F-35, F-117, Mig 1.44, Mig-31, Rafale, and Eurofighter Typhoon, according to an opinion piece published in The Diplomat by Rick Joe. Joe adds that the J-20's external physical configuration is a logical development of Chengdu's previous canard-delta designs: the Chengdu J-9 - particularly the "twin tail, side intake, canard delta" J-9V-II - from the 1960s and 1970s, and the Chengdu J-10. Furthermore, Joe said that stealth shaping is a much more universal and consistent trait that leaves limited room for variety, and that future international designs will likely reflect this.[106]

Operators

  China

Specifications (J-20A)

 
Schematic of the J-20

Data from Tsinghua University[214][215]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Length: 21.2 m (69 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.01 m (42 ft 8 in)
  • Height: 4.69 m (15 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 73 m2 (790 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 17,000 kg (37,479 lb)
  • Gross weight: 25,000 kg (55,116 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 37,000 kg (81,571 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) internally
  • Powerplant: 2 × Shenyang WS-10C[34][39][216] afterburning turbofan, 142–147 kN (32,000–33,000 lbf) with afterburner[N 4]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.0[215]
  • Range: 5,500 km (3,400 mi, 3,000 nmi) with 2 external fuel tanks
  • Combat range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
  • g limits: +9/-3
  • Rate of climb: 304[9] m/s (59,800 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 340 kg/m2 (69 lb/sq ft)

Armament

Avionics

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. ^ Chinese: 光电分布式孔径系统; pinyin: guāngdiàn fēnbùshì kǒngjìng xìtǒng; lit. 'photoelectrically distributed aperture system'
  2. ^ Some sources claim WS-10C supports supersonic cruise[92][93]
  3. ^ Some sources claimed the aircraft with open compartment doors was a new prototype, however, this is likely a confusion caused by repainted numbers or doctored photos.[26]
  4. ^ Early production batches were equipped with the Salyut AL-31FM2 with similar thrust rating.[90][94][98]

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External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chengdu J-20.
  • YouTube.com – The Latest J-20 Flight Test

April 08, 2023
chengdu, chinese, pinyin, jiān, Èrlíng, also, known, mighty, dragon, chinese, 威龙, pinyin, wēilóng, twinjet, weather, stealth, fighter, aircraft, developed, china, chengdu, aerospace, corporation, people, liberation, army, force, plaaf, designed, superiority, f. The Chengdu J 20 Chinese 歼 20 pinyin Jian Erling also known as Mighty Dragon Chinese 威龙 pinyin Weilong 9 10 11 is a twinjet all weather stealth 12 fighter aircraft developed by China s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People s Liberation Army Air Force PLAAF 5 The J 20 is designed as an air superiority fighter with precision strike capability 13 The aircraft has three variants the initial production model J 20A the thrust vectoring J 20B and twin seat aircraft teaming capable J 20S J 20 Mighty DragonJ 20 flight at the 2022 Changchun Air ShowRole Stealth air superiority fighterNational origin ChinaManufacturer Chengdu Aerospace CorporationFirst flight 11 January 2011 12 years ago 1 2 Introduction 9 March 2017 3 4 Status In service 5 Primary user People s Liberation Army Air ForceProduced 2009 present 6 Number built 150 208 7 8 as of 2022 Developed from J XXDescending from the J XX program of the 1990s 14 the aircraft made its maiden flight on 11 January 2011 1 2 and was officially revealed at the 2016 China International Aviation amp Aerospace Exhibition 15 The aircraft entered service in March 2017 5 with the first J 20 combat unit formed in February 2018 5 making China the second country in the world and the first in Asia to field an operational stealth aircraft 16 The J 20 is the world s third operational fifth generation fighter aircraft after the F 22 and F 35 16 Contents 1 Development 2 Design 2 1 Characteristics 2 2 Avionics and cockpit 2 3 Armament 2 4 Engines 2 5 Stealth 3 Operational history 3 1 Flight testing 3 2 Production 3 3 Training 3 4 Deployment 4 Variants 4 1 J 20A 4 2 J 20B 4 3 J 20S 5 Strategic implications 5 1 Political 5 2 Military 5 3 Defense media 6 Operators 7 Specifications J 20A 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 Sources 12 External linksDevelopment Edit The two Chengdu J 20s making their first public appearance at Airshow China 2016 The J 20 emerged from the late 1990s J XX program In 2008 the PLAAF endorsed Chengdu Aerospace Corporation s proposal Project 718 Shenyang s proposed aircraft was larger than the J 20 14 Chengdu had previously used the double canard configuration in the J 9 its first design and cancelled in the 1970s and the J 10 17 18 In 2009 a senior PLAAF official revealed that the first flight was expected in 2010 11 with a service entry date by 2019 19 On 22 December 2010 the first J 20 prototype underwent high speed taxiing tests outside the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute CADI 6 20 Three months later the first J 20 prototype made its maiden flight in Chengdu 1 2 The first prototype was painted with the number 2001 In May 2012 the second prototype took flight in the CADI facility 21 22 Several changes were made to the third J 20 prototype numbered 2011 which made its maiden flight in March 2014 23 The new prototype showed increasing sophistication in design including numerous subtle changes from the first two prototypes 23 The new airframe introduced modified diverterless supersonic inlet DSI intakes stealth coating streamlined underwing fairings and redesigned vertical stabilizers Analysts noted new equipment and devices for multi role operations such as integrated targeting pods for precision guided munition and six additional passive infrared sensors can also be spotted around the aircraft 24 25 26 In December 2015 the low rate initial production LRIP version of the J 20 was spotted by military observers 27 28 The LRIP aircraft revealed dielectric surfaces that were previously painted for prototypes potentially containing various sensors or baked in radar absorbing materials 27 In October 2017 Chinese state media reported that the designs of the J 20 had been finalized and were ready for mass production as well as being combat ready 29 In March 2018 Chinese military revealed other versions of the J 20 platform were being developed 30 In January 2019 Chinese media reported that a twin seat variant of the J 20 is rumored to be in development for use in tactical bombing electronic warfare and carrier strike roles 31 In November 2019 a J 20 painted in yellow primer coating was spotted during its flight testing by defense observers at the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation manufacturing facility The aircraft is equipped with a new variant of WS 10 Taihang engines with serrated afterburner nozzles to enhance stealth 32 33 Report indicated Chengdu Aerospace Corporation terminated the manufacturing of J 20 with Russian engines in mid 2019 34 Chinese media reported that a new variant of the J 20 the J 20B was unveiled on July 8 2020 and entered mass production the same day The only change mentioned was that the J 20B was to be equipped with thrust vectoring control 35 Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact engine type Analyst Andreas Rupprecht expressed skepticism regarding the use of Russian engines on the J 20 as he believes that the J 20 is using a variant of the WS 10 which he called the WS 10C This engine has improved thrust stealthier serrated afterburner nozzles and higher reliability but it is not designed for thrust vectoring unlike the WS 10 TVC demonstrated on a J 10 in 2018 China International Aviation amp Aerospace Exhibition 36 Analyst Jamie Hunter believed the new engine type is what he called WS 10B 3 a Chinese made thrust vectoring engine demonstrated on the 2018 Zhuhai Airshow 34 In January 2021 South China Morning Post reported that China would replace Russian engines on the J 20 stealth fighter with a type of Chinese engine called WS 10C 37 38 In June 2021 Chinese media confirmed that an aviation brigade is assigned with the enhanced J 20A variant that integrates domestic WS 10C engines 39 Despite the replacement WS 10C is considered another interim solution before Xian WS 15 passes evaluations Moreover WS 10C will not be equipped on the J 20B the thrust vectoring version of the J 20 that entered mass production in 2019 which still required further testing Overall Chinese engineers believe WS 10C is comparable with AL 31F in performance 40 41 and the replacement would also reduce China s dependency on Russian engines 41 The WS 10C powered J 20 has officially showcased to the public on 28 September 2021 at Zhuhai Airshow 40 42 43 The development of a twin seater variant was hinted at by J 20 s chief designer in 2019 44 In January 2021 Aviation Industry Corporation of China released computer renderings of the twin seat variant of the J 20 fighter in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the jet s maiden flight 45 In February 2021 a South China Morning Post infographic depicted a twin seat J 20 variant powered by thrust vectoring WS 10C 46 In October 2021 a taxiing prototype dubbed J 20S by analysts 47 48 was spotted near Chengdu Aerospace Corporation facilities making J 20S the first ever two seat stealth fighter 49 50 The twin seat design allows the possibility for the second operator to coordinate attacks and reconnaissance missions from other friendly aircraft via networking or unmanned combat aerial vehicles UCAVs linked via loyal wingman systems and sensors The advantage of a second operator includes the potential for better interpreting and exploiting the enormous sensory data that could overload the limited cognitive and processing capacity for a single human especially in a contested air combat environment 48 51 In March 2022 Chinese state media reported that the J 20 had performed trials with the WS 15 engine 52 In December 2022 Chinese military analysts indicated the WS 15 was undertaking the last stage of testing and development 53 In late December a prototype of the new J 20 variant was observed at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation facilities The new variant was painted in yellow premier and different from previous J 20 aircraft in airframe design with a low profile blended canopy aiming to optimize transonic flight performance and maneuverability The new prototype was speculated to be used to test the WS 15 engine and thrust vectoring 54 55 In March 2023 the executive of Aero Engine Corporation of China AECC announced the serial production of the WS 15 has started 56 FlightGlobal speculated that small scale production and in flight testing with the J 20 fighter was underway 57 Design Edit Chengdu J 20 showcasing maneuverability at Airshow China 2018 Characteristics Edit The J 20 has a long and blended fuselage with a chiseled nose section and a frameless canopy Immediately behind the cockpit are low observable diverterless supersonic inlet DSI intakes All moving canard surfaces with pronounced dihedral are placed behind the intakes followed by leading edge extensions LERX merging into the delta wing with forward swept trailing edges The aft section has twin outward canted all moving fins short but deep ventral strakes and conventional or low observable 13 engine exhausts 58 59 One important design criterion for the J 20 is high instability 60 61 This requires sustained pitch authority at a high angle of attack in which a conventional tail plane would lose effectiveness due to stalling On the other hand a canard can deflect opposite to the angle of attack avoiding stall and thereby maintaining control 62 A canard design is also known to provide good supersonic performance excellent supersonic and transonic turn performance and improved short field landing performance compared to the conventional delta wing design 63 64 Leading edge extensions and body lift are incorporated to enhance performance in a canard layout This combination is said by the designer to generate 1 2 times the lift of an ordinary canard delta and 1 8 times more lift than an equivalent sized pure delta configuration The designer claims such a combination allows the use of a smaller wing reducing supersonic drag without compromising transonic lift to drag characteristics that are crucial to the aircraft s turn performance 60 61 65 The use of a bubble canopy extensive flight control surfaces and canard configuration for angle of attack control indicates J 20 s intention to operate in air superiority missions and within visual range engagements Chief test pilot Li Gang describes the J 20 as having comparable manoeuvrability to the Chengdu J 10 while being significantly better at low observable LO performance The J 20 is a multirole air superiority fighter with the interceptor role being just one of the options 13 Avionics and cockpit Edit Chengdu J 20 displaying weapon bays missiles and avionics during Airshow China 2018 The J 20 avionics aim to obtain situational awareness through advanced sensor fusion while denying situational awareness to the adversary through stealth and electronic warfare The J 20 features an integrated avionic suite consisting of multi spectral sensors capable of providing omnidirectional coverage 13 Official information on the type of radar that J 20s use has not yet been released publicly Some analysts believed that J 20s used Type 1475 KLJ 5 active electronically scanned array AESA radar with 1856 transmit receive modules 66 but more recent information revealed that this radar was designed for upgraded versions of the J 11D 67 Other analysts point out that based on the nose cross section of the J 20 and known data about a single transmit receive module surface in the J 16 s AESA radar system J 20s likely contain 2000 2200 transmit receive modules 68 Prototypes after application 2011 and production models feature a revised nose section with an electro optical infra red targeting system and an advanced communications suite on top of the aircraft enabling it to datalink with other friendly platforms in service such as airborne early warning drones Six electro optic sensors called the Distributed Aperture System N 1 similar to EODAS can provide omnidirectional coverage for the pilot with a sensor fusion system combining the radar signal with the IR image to provide better situational awareness 12 69 Underneath the nose is an optical sensor system mounted inside a diamond shaped golden mirrored enclosure Beijing A Star Science and Technology has developed the EOTS 86 electro optical targeting system and Electro Optical Distributed Aperture System for the J 20 and potentially for other PLAAF fighters to passively detect identify track and intercept stealth aircraft without emitting electromagnetic signals 70 71 The combination of an integrated under nose targeting pod with the six spherically located passive optical tracking sensors is reportedly similar to the design concept of Lockheed Martin F 35 s avionic suite 72 The aircraft features a fully digital glass cockpit with one primary large color liquid crystal display LCD touchscreen three smaller auxiliary displays and a wide angle holographic heads up display HUD 73 74 75 The size of the primary LCD screen is 610 mm 230 mm 24 in 9 in 650 mm 25 63 in diagonal size with two illumination systems for operational redundancy 76 The aircraft is fitted with a helmet mounted display HMD system which displays combat information inside the pilots helmet visor and facilities firing missiles at high off boresight angle 77 78 Armament Edit The main weapon bay is capable of housing both long range air to air missiles AAM PL 12 PL 15 PL 21 and precision guided munitions PGM LS 6 50 LS 6 100 79 while the two smaller lateral weapon bays behind the air inlets are intended for short range AAMs PL 10 These side bays allow closure of the bay doors prior to firing the missile enhancing stealth and allowing the missile to be fired in the shortest possible time 80 81 The J 20 reportedly lacks an internal autocannon or rotary cannon suggesting the aircraft is not intended for use in short range dogfight engagements with other aircraft but to engage from long standoff ranges with missiles such as the PL 15 and PL 21 82 83 The J 20 will likely use air to air missiles to engage in air superiority combat with other aircraft and to destroy high value airborne assets Supplemental missions may include launching anti radiation missiles and air to ground munitions for precision strike missions 84 While the fighter typically carries weapons internally the wings include four hardpoints for auxiliary fuel tanks to extend the ferrying range 85 However much like the F 22 the J 20 is unlikely to carry fuel tanks on combat missions due to its vulnerability in such a configuration the value of this configuration is relevant to such peacetime operations as transiting between airbases 86 The fighter is able to carry four medium long range AAMs in the main bay and one short range missile in each lateral weapon bay 87 A staggered arrangement of six PL 15s is possible for potential future missile rail launchers 77 Engines Edit Engine models identified on the J 20 Engine type Platform Introduction CapabilitiesLO TVC SCWS 10B J 20 LRIP 2015 88 89 No No NoAL 31FM2 J 20A 2011 34 90 No No NoWS 10C J 20A 2019 34 84 Yes No 91 No N 2 WS 10B 3 J 20B 2019 34 Yes Yes NoWS 15 J 20B 2022 testing 52 Yes Yes YesThe J 20 entered production powered by an improved Lyulka Saturn AL 31 variant reportedly the AL 31FM2 developed by Salyut 90 The engine has a special power setting thrust of 145 kN 32 600 lbf 94 95 The next interim engine was the Shenyang WS 10 The WS 10B reportedly powered low rate initial production aircraft in 2015 88 and was used as an interim engine before the adoption of the AL 31 96 97 There are conflicting reports concerning the powerplant of the TVC equipped J 20B 35 The powerplant has been identified as the AL 31FM2 or a variant of the WS 10 WS 10C by Andreas Rupprecht 36 or WS 10B 3 by Jamie Hunter The TVC equipped WS 10B 3 was demonstrated at the 2018 China International Aviation amp Aerospace Exhibition 34 The push to replace the AL 31 with the WS 10C followed the failure of the WS 15 to pass trials in 2019 97 Aircraft powered by WS 10Cs were flying by September 2019 40 The engine has a thrust of 142 147 kN and has serrated afterburner nozzles for enhanced rear aspect stealth 34 40 Flights with prototypes 98 powered by the WS 10C were underway by November 2020 99 In June 2021 Chinese media confirmed that the WS 10C was powering operational J 20As 39 In January 2022 it was reported that aircraft powered by the WS 10C would be upgraded with TVC 91 The intended powerplant is the Xian WS 15 90 with a thrust of 180 kN 100 which is required for supercruise 89 The engine s development was ongoing in 2019 90 97 In March 2022 Chinese state media reported that the J 20 had performed trials with the engine and experienced significantly improved performance It was also reported that eventually new production and existing aircraft powered by the AL 31 would be fitted with the WS 15 52 The aircraft is equipped with a retractable refueling probe embedded on the right side of the cockpit to help the fighter to maintain stealth while flying greater distances 101 Stealth Edit Analysts noted that the J 20 s airframe employs a holistic approach to reduce its radar cross section RCS uniquely combining canard wings with leading edge root extensions LERX 30 13 The chined forebody modified radar radome and electroconductive canopy 13 use a stealth shaping yielding signature performance in a mature design similar to the F 22 102 The diverterless supersonic inlets DSI leading into serpentine inlets S ducts can obscure the reflective surface of the engine from radar detection DSI intakes save weight reduce complexity and minimize radar signature Additional low observable features include a flat fuselage bottom holding an internal weapons bay sawtooth edges on compartment doors mesh coverings on cooling ports at the base of the vertical tails embedded antennas and radar absorbent coating materials 103 13 While the aircraft s fins strakes and axisymmetric rear areas may expose the aircraft to radar the overall stealth shaping is robust and considerably more capable than the Russian PAK FA 58 104 Improvements regarding stealth were subsequently introduced one prototype in 2014 was powered by WS 10 engines equipped with different jagged edge nozzles and tiles for greater stealth 105 The J 20 production model with the serrated WS 10C engine is also capable of mitigating negative effects on rear aspect stealth 106 Others have raised doubts about the use of canards on a low observable design stating that canards would guarantee radar detection and compromise stealth 107 108 However these critiques with respect to the canards RCS may be unfounded 13 Canards and low observability are not necessarily mutually exclusive designs Northrop Grumman s proposal for the U S Navy s Advanced Tactical Fighter ATF incorporated canards on a stealthy airframe 109 110 Lockheed Martin employed canards on a stealth airframe for the Joint Advanced Strike Technology JAST program during early development before dropping them due to complications with aircraft carrier recovery 111 112 McDonnell Douglas and NASA s X 36 featured canards and was considered to be extremely stealthy 113 Radar cross section can be further reduced by controlling canard deflection through flight control software as on the Eurofighter 114 115 Similarly Chinese aerospace researchers also concluded that in terms of stealth the canard delta configuration is comparable with the conventional arrangement 116 Defense observer Rick Joe believes J 20 s configuration is stealthy while there is a lack of evidence for the popular assumption of canards inherent incompatibility with stealth 106 Composite materials are applied to minimize the J 20 s radar cross sections 71 The diverterless supersonic inlet DSI enables an aircraft to reach Mach 2 0 with a simpler intake than traditionally required and improves stealth performance by eliminating radar reflections between the diverter and the aircraft s skin Analysts have also noted that the J 20 DSI reduces the need for the application of radar absorbent materials 117 118 A removable radar reflectors Luneburg lens is mounted on the underside of the J 20 to amplify its radar returns concealing the real radar signature 71 In the 2021 production model the emitter is re engineered to be retractable 119 In May 2018 Indian Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa claimed at a press conference that the radars on India s Su 30MKI fighters were good enough and could detect a J 20 from several kilometers away while answering a question on whether the J 20 posed a threat to India 120 121 Analyst Justin Bronk from Royal United Services Institute noted that Chinese were possibly flying the J 20 with radar reflectors during peacetime for safety and training purposes due to the potential for accidents and identification from other aircraft or ground installations 122 In a more recent report Bronk also states that even with limited stealth J 20 could hide and strike enemy critical platforms in an airspace with background clutter caused by non stealth fighters and other electromagnetic noise 84 Despite debate regarding J 20 s stealth capability military analysts agree that the J 20 s stealth design is superior to that of the Russian Su 57 13 123 and its stealth profile could be further enhanced as the program matures 124 125 Operational history Edit Two J 20 fighters breaking formation Flight testing Edit On 10 December 2010 the first J 20 prototype was observed undertaking high speed taxiing tests around the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute CADI facilities before the maiden flight 6 On 11 January 2011 the first J 20 prototype numbered 2001 made its first flight lasting about 15 minutes with a Chengdu J 10B serving as the chase aircraft 1 2 After the successful flight a ceremony was held attended by the pilot Li Gang Chief Designer Yang Wei and General Li Andong Deputy Director of General Armaments 126 On 17 April 2011 a second test flight of an hour and 20 minutes took place 127 On 5 May 2011 a 55 minute test flight was held that included retraction of the landing gear 128 On 26 February 2012 the first prototype J 20 performed various low altitude maneuvers 129 130 On 10 May 2012 the second prototype numbered 2002 underwent high speed taxiing tests and flight testing that began later that month 131 22 On 20 October 2012 photographs of the prototype with open compartment doors and a modified pitot tube emerged N 3 suggesting the possible inclusion of radar or sensors In March 2013 images of the side weapon bays appeared displaying a missile launch rail 132 133 On 16 January 2014 the third J 20 prototype was revealed showing new intakes embedded engine nozzles and stealth coating as well as redesigned vertical stabilizers and an Electro Optical Targeting System 105 25 134 This particular aircraft numbered 2011 performed its maiden flight on 1 March 2014 and is said to represent the initial pre serial standard 23 By the end of 2014 three more pre serial prototypes were flown each with incremental improvements to the design The fourth prototype 2012 was tested on 26 July 2014 sharing many similarities with the 2011 This pair of aircraft was reportedly powered by AL 31FM2 engines 135 136 The fifth prototype numbered 2013 took off on 29 November 2014 137 Three weeks later number 2015 made its maiden flight on 19 December 2014 indicating rapid construction capability Both prototypes featured retractable aerial refueling probes and infrared suppression engine nozzles 103 The sixth prototype 2015 featured a slight alteration to tail booms suggesting the installation of rear facing sensors Chinese Air Force also modified an airliner to serve as the AESA radar test bed for the J 20 program 137 On 13 September 2015 a new prototype marked 2016 began testing It had noticeable improvements such as apparently modified DSI bumps on the intakes The DSI changes suggested the possibility of more powerful engines being used than its predecessors likely to be an advanced 14 ton thrust derivative of the Russian AL 31 or Chinese Shenyang WS 10 turbofan engines By 2020 the J 20 is scheduled to use the 18 19 ton WS 15 engine enabling the jet to supercruise without using afterburners The trapezoidal flight booms around the engines were further enlarged possibly to accommodate rearwards facing radars electronic countermeasures and jamming equipment The fuselage was extended to the engine s exhaust nozzles Compared to its 2014 and 2015 predecessors the engine s surface area is further embedded inside the stealthy coating providing greater rear facing stealth against enemy detection 103 On 24 November 2015 a new J 20 prototype numbered 2017 took to the sky The most significant change in the new prototype was the reshaped cockpit canopy which provides the pilot with greater visibility The lack of other design changes suggested that 2017 is very close to the final J 20 production configuration Since 2017 was likely the last J 20 prototype the low rate initial production LRIP of the J 20 is likely to begin in 2016 138 Chinese media reported that the design of the J 20 was frozen and finalized as formal ceremonies were held for the prototype 2017 after completing the flight testing 139 The LRIP version later appeared in December 2015 27 In March 2017 Chinese media reported that the fighter entered service But it still faced a series of technical challenges that needed to be tackled including the reliability of its WS 15 engines the aircraft s flight control system stealth coatings hull materials and infrared sensor 140 In September 2017 a newly built J 20 prototype numbered 2021 was flight testing with Chinese made WS 10 Taihang engines featuring sawtoothed serration edge on its afterburning nozzles 141 The J 20 with indigenous WS 10C engines began production in 2019 34 84 In September 2018 it was reported that issues with the development of the WS 15 engine particularly the reliability of the turbine blades overheating at top speeds were fixed 142 The WS 15 reportedly required further development after failing final verification testing at the end of 2019 41 The COVID 19 pandemic imposed further delays 97 In March 2022 Chinese state media reported that the WS 15 engine completed final testing 143 In November 2021 the US military reported that the J 20 was gradually receiving upgrades 144 In the same month new J 20 two seater variant began flight testing 145 In December 2022 the prototype 2051 in yellow premier coat took flight The new prototype had a redesigned canopy section and was speculated to be used to test the WS 15 engine and thrust vectoring 54 55 Production Edit In late December 2015 a new J 20 numbered 2101 was spotted it is believed to be the LRIP version of the aircraft 27 Chinese media suggested the stealth aircraft will enter production ahead of schedule 146 In July 2016 pre production models with dark grey paint and low visibility insignias were spotted inside a Chengdu Aerospace Corporation CAC facility The production rate indicated an intended initial operational capability IOC date of around 2017 2018 147 In October 2017 Chinese media reported that CAC initiated the serial production for the J 20 and is on a path towards achieving full operational capability with the People s Liberation Army Air Force PLAAF State media described the CAC s production rate as stable meaning achieving a regular production rate for minimal economies of scale The production rate was expected to be three aircraft per month 148 149 In 2019 Chengdu Aerospace Corporation began manufacturing J 20 fitted with Chinese made WS 10 Taihang engines 32 J 20s manufactured after mid 2019 were no longer fitted with Russian AL 31F turbofan engines 34 In June 2021 J 20A with Chinese made WS 10C engines were incorporated into active service 39 The production rate of J 20 was expected to be further increased 150 151 In January 2022 analyst Derek Solen estimated 50 to 74 fighters were in service based on open source intelligence 152 In August 2022 Li Xiaobing reported that over 150 had been delivered 7 claims of 150 being in service had been made in 2021 153 154 In November 2022 high resolution photos revealed over 200 J 20 fighters had been manufactured According to analyst Andreas Rupprecht a total of four batches of J 20 have been delivered with 18 46 56 and 70 airframes for each shipment based on his conservative estimate The new pictures also indicated significantly improved manufacturing tolerance and quality control 8 155 According to the Chinese military Chengdu Aircraft Corporation accelerated the manufacturing and delivery of the J 20 fighter due to the implementation of pulse assembly line Chinese military analysts believed the initiative aimed to counter balance the increasing numbers of F 35 fighters deployed by the United States in Asia 156 157 Training Edit Pilot training for the J 20 started as early as March 2017 after the fighter entered limited service in the initial operational capability IOC phase During the IOC phase the fighters are equipped with radar reflectors also known as Luneburg lens to enlarge and conceal the actual radar cross section 158 122 The J 20 participated in its first combat exercise in January 2018 practicing beyond visual range maneuvers against China s fourth generation fighters such as J 16 and J 10C The exercise was reported to be realistic 159 Training with mixed generations allows pilots to become familiar with fifth generation aircraft and to develop tactics both for and against them 160 Chinese Ministry of National Defense also revealed that J 20 has conducted night confrontation missions during several coordinated tactical training exercises 161 The J 20 participated in its first over ocean combat exercise in May 2018 162 In April 2022 the J 20 is confirmed to be engaged in regular maritime portals in the East China Sea and the South China Sea for routine training missions in a statement released by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation 163 164 Deployment Edit On 12 December 2016 at least six J 20s were observed in PLAAF air bases with tail numbers 78271 78276 identified 165 Another six were believed to be ready for delivery by the end of December 2016 166 On 9 March 2017 Chinese media revealed that the J 20 had entered service in the Chinese air force 3 4 making China the second country in the world after the United States and the first in Asia to field an operational fifth generation stealth aircraft 16 Chinese National Defense Ministry confirmed the service status in September 2017 159 It is anticipated that frontline units could be equipped with the low observable combat aircraft before 2020 The International Institute for Strategic Studies IISS proposed that as the trend continues the US could lose its monopoly on operational stealth aircraft 167 The PLAAF began inducting J 20s into combat units in February 2018 5 one month after its first combat drill 159 The aircraft entered service with the 9th Air Brigade based at Wuhu Air Base Anhui province in late 2018 March 2019 replacing Su 30MKK fighters previously deployed there 5 168 On 27 August 2019 the Central Military Commission of the People s Liberation Army approved the J 20 as the PLAN s future primary fighter beating out the Shenyang FC 31 Arguments for the J 20 state that the plane is far more advanced longer ranged and carries a heavier payload than the FC 31 while those supporting the FC 31 argued that it is cheaper lighter and far more maneuverable than the J 20 The J 20 would likely be commissioned upon the Type 003 aircraft carrier under construction however the length of the J 20 means that it has to be shortened to be considered operable on an aircraft carrier 169 On 26 June 2021 Chinese state media reported that J 20 fighters were deployed to PLAAF units monitoring East China Sea and Taiwan Strait Analysts suggested that the Chinese Air Force aimed to equip at least one to two brigades in each of the five theater commands before 2026 170 On 19 April 2022 satellites image indicated that all five theater commands had equipped with J 20A fighters 171 which was later confirmed by the Chinese Air Force spokesperson on a press release in September 172 In March 2022 the United States Air Force USAF general Kenneth Wilsbach confirmed that USAF F 35s have encountered J 20s deployed over the East China Sea 173 In April 2022 Chinese state media reported J 20 started regular patrol in the South China Sea 174 Variants EditJ 20A Edit J 20A is the first production variant of the J 20 platform Flight testing began with prototypes in late 2010 with maiden flight in 2011 The variant entered serial production in October 2017 J 20A was incorporated into training units of the People s Liberation Army Air Force in March 2017 90 and combat units in February 2018 5 J 20B Edit Improved J 20 variant with thrust vectoring control TVC engines 36 The variant entered production on 8 July 2020 35 Early batch received Shenyang WS 10B 3 TVC engines 34 while the intended powerplant is the thrust vectoring supercruise capable WS 15 52 J 20S Edit The twin seat variant of J 20 named J 20S J 20AS or J 20B by defense analysts 51 is a version of J 20 in development 47 J 20S was first spotted in October 2021 taxiing inside a Chengdu Aircraft Corporation facility in yellow primer paint and untreated composite 175 176 making it the first twin seat stealth fighter in the world 48 47 The twin seat design allows the possibility for the second operator to conduct airborne early warning and control AEW amp C missions which J 20 would leverage its avionics and networking capability to provide battlespace surveillance battle management and intelligence analysis The stealth fighter could act as a more survivable and distributed alternative to traditional airborne warning and command post aircraft 177 Another possibility is to coordinate attacks and reconnaissance missions from unmanned combat aerial vehicles UCAVs linked via loyal wingman systems and sensors 48 51 178 China is known to be developing various loyal wingman prototypes such as AVIC Dark Sword 176 In addition to aircraft teaming a twin seat configuration may also provide marginal benefits in pilot training and strike missions 48 176 The advantage of a second operator includes the potential for better interpreting and exploiting the enormous sensory data which could overload the limited cognitive and processing capacity of a single human 48 51 The back seater operator would focus on managing the manned or unmanned aircraft fleet reducing the pilot s workload in a contested air combat environment 176 179 With increased automation and artificial intelligence in the aircraft system the two men crew would likely be able to delegate more complex AEW amp C tasks absorb information and make tactical decisions 177 In August 2022 a Chinese defense publication suggested the twin seat variant could be used as an electronic warfare platform 180 In October 2022 Chinese media showcased the concept of the J 20 two seater controlling stealth Hongdu GJ 11 unmanned combat aerial vehicle and the back seat is designated for the weapons officer 181 182 It could also potentially manage the LJ 1 a low end modular drone platform 183 Strategic implications EditPolitical Edit The first test flight coincided with a visit by United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to China and was initially interpreted by the Pentagon as a possible signal to the visiting US delegation Speaking to reporters in Beijing secretary Gates said I asked President Hu about it directly and he said that the test had absolutely nothing to do with my visit and there had been a pre planned test 184 185 Hu seemed surprised by Gates inquiry 186 187 188 Abraham M Denmark of the Center for New American Security in Washington along with Michael Swaine an expert on the PLA and United States China military relations explained that senior officials are not involved in the day to day management of aircraft development and were unaware of the test 185 84 Military Edit Robert Gates downplayed the significance of the aircraft by questioning how stealthy the J 20 may be but stated the J 20 would put some of our capabilities at risk and we have to pay attention to them we have to respond appropriately with our own programs 189 The U S Director of National Intelligence James R Clapper testified that the United States knew about the program for a long time and that the test flight was not a surprise 190 In 2011 Loren B Thompson Lexington Institute echoed by a 2015 RAND Corporation report felt that J 20 s combination of forward stealth and long range puts America s surface assets at risk and that a long range maritime strike capability may cause the United States more concern than a short range air superiority fighter like the F 22 191 192 193 In its 2011 Annual Report to Congress the Pentagon described the J 20 as a platform capable of long range penetrating strikes into complex air defense environments 194 A 2012 report by the U S China Economic and Security Review Commission suggests that the United States may have underestimated the speed of development of the J 20 and several other Chinese military development projects 195 In the early 2010s Western observers were not able to reach a consensus on the J 20 s primary role or its specific capabilities Experts and analysts called into question many of China s claims and stated it was considered a low observability aircraft but did not fall in the category of a true stealth aircraft based on U S Military standards 196 197 198 199 200 After the deployment announcement in 2018 several analysts noted that the experience that the PLAAF will gain with the J 20 would give China a significant edge over India Japan and South Korea which have struggled to design and produce their own fifth generation fighters on schedule 12 However despite the failure of their indigenous projects Japan and South Korea would soon operate the imported F 35A in 2019 equipped with better situational awareness and jet propulsion technology negating this potential technological disparity 201 202 United States Marine Corps created a full scale replica FSR of a Chengdu J 20 in December 2018 The replica was spotted parked outside the Air Dominance Center at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia The United States Marine Corps later confirmed that the aircraft was built for training 203 By 2019 aviation researchers believed that the progress of J 20 signified that China had surpassed Russia in the application of contemporary aviation technologies such as composite materials advanced avionics and long range weapons systems 204 205 According to Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute the J 20 is one of the examples of how China has transitioned from the dependency of Russian technology to developing indigenous sensors and weapons that are superior to those of Russia and how China is beginning to build a clear lead over Russia in most aspects of combat aircraft development in the 2020s 206 The J 20 also symbolizes that the Western Bloc is losing the monopoly on stealth fighter technologies 207 In March 2022 the United States Air Force USAF general Kenneth Wilsbach described J 20s were flying professionally and he is relatively impressed with the Chinese command and control structure and AEW amp C capabilities after confirming two nations had an encounter in South China Sea 173 208 In a separate comment the general mentioned the E 3 Sentry AEW amp C aircraft is insufficient for timely detection of the J 20s 209 In another press conference Wilsbach downplayed his earlier remarks saying himself will not lose sleep about the J 20 but added the United States should keep the innovation pace in the development of sixth generation fighter technologies to not lose sleep 210 211 He later added that the United States knows China is on schedule for its 6th generation fighter program 212 Defense media Edit Western sources contribute the idea that J 20 is optimized for anti access area denial A2 AD engagements while Chinese sources universally describe J 20 as an air superiority fighter meant to engage other fighters 13 Rod Lee research director at the China Aerospace Studies Institute of the Air University believes J 20 is intended to be primarily used for destroying high value airborne assets which is an alternative way of establishing air superiority Supplemental missions may include launching anti radiation missiles and air to ground munitions Rod Lee believes J 20 has the maneuverability to engage in air superiority combat with other aircraft but PLAAF has de emphasized the traditional attrition warfare while advocating the systems destruction approach because they believe it is more effective 84 Matthew Jouppi of Aviation Week noted the ill informed assumptions that existed in defense circles and argued that the United States has not adequately addressed threats posed by the increasing Chinese airpower 13 The visual physical configuration and stealth shaping have been claimed to be influenced by foreign aircraft including the F 22 F 35 F 117 Mig 1 44 Mig 31 Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon according to an opinion piece published in The Diplomat by Rick Joe Joe adds that the J 20 s external physical configuration is a logical development of Chengdu s previous canard delta designs the Chengdu J 9 particularly the twin tail side intake canard delta J 9V II from the 1960s and 1970s and the Chengdu J 10 Furthermore Joe said that stealth shaping is a much more universal and consistent trait that leaves limited room for variety and that future international designs will likely reflect this 106 Operators Edit ChinaPeople s Liberation Army Air Force 208 in service as of 2022 8 1st Fighter Brigade Anshan Air Base Liaoning 152 5th Fighter Brigade Guilin Air Base Guangxi 152 9th Fighter Brigade Wuhu Air Base Anhui 152 111th Fighter Brigade Korla Airbase Xinjiang 171 172nd Aviation Regiment Cangzhou Airbase Hebei testing and training unit 213 176th Aviation Brigade Dingxin Airbase Gansu testing and training unit 213 Specifications J 20A Edit Schematic of the J 20 Data from Tsinghua University 214 215 General characteristicsCrew one pilot Length 21 2 m 69 ft 7 in Wingspan 13 01 m 42 ft 8 in Height 4 69 m 15 ft 5 in Wing area 73 m2 790 sq ft Empty weight 17 000 kg 37 479 lb Gross weight 25 000 kg 55 116 lb Max takeoff weight 37 000 kg 81 571 lb Fuel capacity 12 000 kg 26 000 lb internally Powerplant 2 Shenyang WS 10C 34 39 216 afterburning turbofan 142 147 kN 32 000 33 000 lbf with afterburner N 4 Performance Maximum speed Mach 2 0 215 Range 5 500 km 3 400 mi 3 000 nmi with 2 external fuel tanks Combat range 2 000 km 1 200 mi 1 100 nmi Service ceiling 20 000 m 66 000 ft g limits 9 3 Rate of climb 304 9 m s 59 800 ft min Wing loading 340 kg m2 69 lb sq ft Armament Maximum weapon capacity 11 000 kg 24 000 lb Internal weapon bays PL 10 Short Range AAM 217 PL 12 Medium Range AAM 218 PL 15 Long Range AAM PL 21 Very Long Range AAM future implementation 218 LS 6 50 kg and LS 6 100 kg Small diameter precision guided bomb intended 79 Anti radiation missile 84 External hardpoints 4 under wing pylon capable of carrying drop tanks Avionics Type 1475 KLJ 5 AESA Radar EOTS 86 electro optical targeting system EOTS 70 EORD 31 infrared search and track 70 See also Edit Aviation portalFifth generation jet fighter J XXAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Lockheed Martin F 22 Raptor Lockheed Martin F 35 Lightning II Shenyang FC 31 Sukhoi Su 57Related lists List of fighter aircraft List of aircraft produced by ChinaNotes Edit Chinese 光电分布式孔径系统 pinyin guangdian fenbushi kǒngjing xitǒng lit photoelectrically distributed aperture system Some sources claim WS 10C supports supersonic cruise 92 93 Some sources claimed the aircraft with open compartment doors was a new prototype however this is likely a confusion caused by repainted numbers or doctored photos 26 Early production batches were equipped with the Salyut AL 31FM2 with similar thrust rating 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