Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon
Summary
Category | Combat aircraft |
Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
First flight | 1 January 2011 |
Year of introduction | 2017 |
Number produced | 210 units |
Description
The Chengdu J-20 (NATO designation: Fagin) is a fifth-generation, stealth, twin-engine fighter aircraft developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation of China. Development of the J-20 began in the late 1990s, with the goal of producing an indigenous stealth fighter to compete with American designs like the F-22 Raptor. The origins of the J-20 can be traced back to the J-XX program started in the 1990s, which aimed to develop an advanced multirole fighter for the Chinese military.
The J-20 made its first flight in January 2011, marking China's entry into the fifth generation fighter market. The aircraft incorporates design features like radar-absorbent materials and careful engine nozzle placement to reduce its radar cross-section and make it difficult to detect on radar. Its origins reflect China's goal of modernizing its military capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign imports like the Russian Su-27 and Su-30 fighters. Indigenous production of an advanced stealth fighter was seen as an important milestone for the growth of China's domestic aerospace industry. There has been speculation about technology theft or espionage contributing to the J-20's development, particularly drawing comparisons to the F-22 and F-35.
The J-20 was developed in tight secrecy, with Chengdu Aircraft Corporation carrying out ground testing and flight trials of prototypes since the early 2000s. The design incorporates advanced features to reduce radar cross-section, such as S-shaped engine inlets, a flat body, and radar absorbent material coatings. One key innovative design feature is the short tail stabilizers positioned near the engine nozzles rather than a traditional vertical stabilizer, providing greater stability and stealth. The J-20 uses fly-by-wire controls and advanced avionics like an active electronically scanned array radar comparable to those on the F-22 Raptor. For propulsion, it is powered by two Russian-made Saturn AL-31 engines, providing supercruise capability, though China plans to later incorporate improved indigenous WS-15 turbofan engines.
Armament
The Chengdu J-20 is designed to be a multirole fighter, capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Its weapons systems are largely housed in internal bays to maintain its stealth profile. The aircraft has a large main weapons bay located centrally under the fuselage and two smaller lateral weapon bays behind the air inlets. Additionally, the J-20 has 2 smaller lateral weapon bays for short range missiles and 4 external hardpoints for extra fuel or weapons.
For air-to-air combat, the J-20 can be armed with a variety of missiles including the PL-15, a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile with an estimated range of up to 300 km. It also has the capability to carry the shorter-range PL-10 missile for closer engagements. These missiles offer the aircraft substantial ability to engage enemy aircraft at different ranges, complementing its intended role as an air superiority fighter.
For air-to-ground missions, the J-20 can carry a range of precision-guided munitions, including laser-guided bombs and satellite-guided bombs. Its internal bays are sufficiently large to accommodate anti-ship missiles and anti-radiation missiles, adding to its multirole capabilities.
Despite its impressive arsenal, the J-20's weapons capabilities are intrinsically tied to its sensor and avionics systems for targeting and fire control. The aircraft's AESA radar and other advanced sensors are critical for effectively utilizing its weapons in combat scenarios.
Operational history
The J-20 made its public debut at China's Airshow China in Zhuhai in November 2016, performing aerial maneuvers to demonstrate its capabilities. Subsequently, it has made appearances in various military parades and exercises to showcase its technological advancements. However, it has not yet been confirmed to have participated in any combat operations or international conflicts.
In terms of exercises and drills, the J-20 has been involved in a variety of domestic training missions aimed at integrating it into existing military structures and testing its capabilities in simulated combat scenarios. These exercises often focus on interoperability with other Chinese aircraft and ground systems, aiming to create a cohesive and effective combat network.
The aircraft has also been subject to incremental upgrades and modifications based on initial operational feedback, although specific details are often closely guarded. These updates likely pertain to avionics, weapons systems, and possibly engine improvements, as the aircraft's initial engines were considered one of its weaker points.
In late 2021, mass production was announced, with record J-20 deliveries to meet PLAAF demands. In 2022, production rate increased to 40-50 per year and an estimated 100-120 per year by 2023, exceeding rates for other fighters like the F-22 and F-35. By late 2022, over 200 J-20s had been produced in multiple batches, reflecting improved manufacturing quality. Total production likely exceeded 187 F-22s produced.
Variants
- J-20A: This is the initial production variant of the J-20, which officially entered service with the PLAAF in 2017. It primarily used Russian-made AL-31F engines and served as the baseline model for the aircraft series.
- J-20B: Upgraded variant with enhanced stealth coatings, sensors, and communications. Expected to be powered by the WS-15 Taihang indigenous turbofan engine in the future.
- J-20S: Proposed two-seat variant designed for the electronic warfare and command and control mission. Would feature enlarged dorsal spine to accommodate rear cockpit.
- J-20C: Rumored to be in development, this variant is expected to feature more advanced, domestically-produced WS-15 engines, aiming to improve the aircraft's overall performance, particularly its thrust-to-weight ratio.
Technical specifications
Version: J-20A | |
---|---|
Crew | 1 pilot |
Operational range | 5500 km (3418 mi) |
Maximum speed | 2450 km/h (1522 mph) |
Wing area | 73 m² (785.8 sqft) |
Wingspan | 13.0 m (42.7 ft) |
Height | 4.7 m (15.4 ft) |
Length | 21.2 m (69.6 ft) |
Service ceiling | 20000 m (65617 ft) |
Empty weight | 17000 kg (37479 lbs) |
Max. takeoff weight | 37000 kg (81571 lbs) |
Climb rate | 304.0 m/s (997.4 ft/s) |
Powerplant | 2 × Shenyang WS-10C afterburning turbofan, 142–147 kN each with afterburner |
Current operating countries
Country | Units | ||
---|---|---|---|
China | 210 |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.
All operators
Armament
Missiles payload:
- PL-10 Short Range AAM
- PL-12 Medium Range AAM
- PL-15 Long Range AAM
- PL-21 Very Long Range AAM (future implementation)
- Anti-radiation missile
Bombs payload:
- LS-6/50 kg and LS-6/100 kg Small-diameter precision-guided bomb