Chengdu J-20

[Ayoshi]

From: airforce-technology.com

A single-seat, multirole stealth fighter aircraft, the Chengdu J-20 is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) of China.

It is a fifth-generation aircraft being built for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Its Nato reporting name is Black Eagle. Two prototypes were developed in November 2010 for aerial and ground testing.

Potential customers of the J-20 are Pakistan, the Middle East, Latin America, South-East Asia and African countries.

Chengdu J-20 design

The J-20 is designed to execute ground attack missions even in hostile environments. The aircraft can reach higher altitudes with its delta wings in supersonic speeds.

It is larger than Sukhoi T-50 and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. The front portion of the prototype looks similar to the F-22 Raptor and the rear section looks like a Sukhoi T-50.

[Ayoshi]

Third Prototype of China’s Stealth Jet Makes Maiden Flight and Shows Improvements | The Aviationist - Mar 02 2014

The third prototype of China’s 5th generation fighter jet made its maiden flight on Mar. 1.

As already explained, Beijing’s radar-evading plane shows several differences from the first (and second) prototype aircraft, a sign China is improving and developing more in the field of low observability applied to fighter jets.

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Photos from China Defense Blog

J20 prototype 2017 conducts its maiden flight - November 24, 2015


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[Ayoshi]

From ainonline.com

Chengdu’s J-20 Enters Production - February 14, 2016

China’s much-debated J-20 stealth fighter has now entered the low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase. Following on from two prototype/technology demonstrators and at least six pre-production development aircraft, the first of a new batch of production examples made an appearance outside Chengdu’s works in late December. It reportedly made its first flight on January 18, by which time a second LRIP aircraft had also been spotted at the airfield.

Whereas the earlier aircraft had all been numbered in the 20xx range, and were revealed in a full painted finish, aircraft 2101 was seen undergoing taxi trials in December in a yellow primer finish typical of aircraft fresh from Chengdu’s production lines. A second LRIP machine, 2102, was recorded in January, also in the primer finish.

More J-20 Stealth Fighters Built in China - July 19, 2016

China’s Chengdu Aircraft Company (CAC) has built more Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) J-20 stealthy jet fighters, with another new aircraft featured in flight on Chinese websites over the past week. This is the second known J-20 LRIP aircraft, after the first example serialed 2101 was shown in late December 2015. They follow two prototypes and six known development aircraft that featured a successive series of refinements.

The latest aircraft is painted in shades of gray and carries toned down national insignia, but unlike all previous J-20s has no identifying serial numbers. Reports from China suggest that this latest aircraft may in fact be the fourth LRIP aircraft, but verifiable evidence of this has yet to surface. Most information about the J-20 has emerged from unofficial Chinese websites, and the type has never been shown in public.

The appearance of LRIP aircraft suggests that the type is nearing introduction into service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. A number of J-20s have been seen on satellite imagery at the China Flight Test Establishment base at Xi’an-Yanliang. The latest report to Congress on Chinese defense developments by the U.S. Department of Defense suggests that the J-20 could become operational in 2018.

This is thought to be the first production J-20 fighter, and was recorded outside the Chengdu Aircraft Company’s factory last December.

[Ayoshi]

J-20 to debut at Chinese air show amid reports of possible larger variant | IHS Jane's 360 - 01 November 2016

Published in the Chinese Journal of Aeronautics , the paper was written by six authors, including Yang Wei of the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, who is the J-20's chief designer.

Entitled 'Aircraft vulnerability modelling and computation methods based on product structure and CATIA', the paper offers illustrations of a single-seat twin-engine canard-configuration aircraft based on the J-20.

However, the illustration shows an aircraft featuring a wider fuselage with a larger internal weapons bay, more widely separated turbofans and inward-canted vertical stabilisers mounted aft mid wing.

[Ayoshi]

LOOK: China debuts J-20 stealth jet | ABS-CBN news - Nov 01 2016

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China unveils its J-20 stealth fighter on an air show in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, November 1, 2016. China Daily/via Reuters

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Footage: China's fifth-generation stealth fighter J20 makes debut at Zhuhai Airshow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyCagF0RUQQ

[Ayoshi]

Airshow China 2016: J-20 cameo generates more questions than answers | IHS Jane's 360 - 04 November 2016

The first public showing of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) J-20 'fifth-generation' fighter was one of the most anticipated moments of the Airshow China 2016 exhibition, which took place from 1-6 November in Zhuhai, southern Guangdong Province.

However, those hoping to see a demonstration of the capabilities for which the aircraft has become famous through various Chinese online blogs and other open sources came away disappointed.

A pair of Chinese J-20 'fifth-generation' fighters overflying this year's Airshow China exhibition in Zhuhai on 1 November. Source: AP/PA

[Ayoshi]

Two operational J-20



Photo from China Defense Blog

[Ayoshi]

China's homegrown J-20 fighter jet enters service with PLAAF | air recognition - 10 March 2017

According to a brief announcement on Friday, March 10, made on CCTV, China’s most advanced fighter jet, the J-20, officially enters service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Developed since the late 1990s, the J-20 is a stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft China hopes will narrow the military gap with the United States.

Eight prototype have been built so far, with two being Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The J-20 is yet to be equipped with its designated engine, the Xian WS-15, but has been reportedly tested with the homegrown PL-15 and PL-10 air-to-air missiles.

[mamiyapis]

It's quickly becoming obvious the J-20 is going to be focused on interception and interdiction along the lines of the old MiG-25 with an added strike functionality, and the aircraft relying most probably on speed and stealth to allow it to challenge enemy aircraft and surface vessels without getting detected, launch a volley of AAMs or ASMs, then run away.

Despite claims from chinese defense sites, the traditional Delta-Canard layout of the the wings and surfaces indicate similar functionality to the Dassault line of fighters which are meant to be missile launchers, and are "less maneuverable" compared to more contemporary designs. The addition of the tailplanes partially solves this, but as proven by Delta-Canard contemporaries like the Mirage, Rafale, Gripen, this config is prone to energy loss in dogfights and are thus not meant to engage in long-duration furballs.

Chengdu's reluctance to do a full airshow routine is probably to hide the poor energy management of the platform, as well as the underperforming local engines... though if they go full production with the Saturn AL-31s, they might have better kinematic performance.

[Ayoshi]

J-20 Stealth Fighter Enters PLAAF Service - China MoD | Air Recognition - 28 September 2017

China's latest J-20 stealth fighter has been officially commissioned into military service, according to Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense on Thursday. The flight tests are being conducted as scheduled, Wu said at a press conference.

A PLAAF J-20 stealth fighter jet (Credit: Top81.cn)

[Ayoshi]

China’s J-20 fighter aircraft takes part in its first combat exercise, says report | Janes - 15 January 2018

Citing a PLAAF news release, the paper reported that several J-20s recently took part in a series of exercises against less advanced Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 and J-10C Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) fighter aircraft, and practised beyond-visual-range aerial fighting manoeuvres.

[Ayoshi]

China to develop new J-20 variants, begin research on ‘sixth-generation’ fighter, says report | Janes - 13 March 2018

Speaking to the state-owned paper on the sidelines of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, Yang Wei, a deputy director of science and technology at Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) said, “We are not complacent about what we have achieved. We will develop the J-20 into a large family and keep strengthening its information-processing and intelligent capacities.

[Ayoshi]

PLAAF J-20 fighter jets perform first over-the-sea combat training | Air Recognition - 11 May 2018

China's J-20 stealth fighter jets have begun their first-ever combat training over the ocean, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. "It will help the air force better fulfill its sacred duty of safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," said Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Undated file photo shows China's J-20 stealth fighter jets taking part in their first-ever combat training over the ocean (Credit: Xinhua)

[Ayoshi]

Aerial refuelling capability of China's J-20 fighter confirmed | Janes - 19 November 2018

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has shown video footage confirming the in-flight refuelling capability of China's J-20 multirole 'fifth-generation' fighter aircraft. However, the images, which show the platform's refuelling probe being extended and retracted, were pixelated to obscure any details, and no images of the J-20 undertaking in-flight refuelling have yet to be released.

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The J-20's flying display was one of the highlights of this year's show, with the opening of the aircraft's weapon bays resulting in many images of the air-to-air missile load featuring on the internet and in media outlets around the world. This display coincided with comments made by People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Xu Anxiang announcing Beijing's intent to make the PLAAF a "world-class air force".

Another aerial display at Zhuhai that prompted much interest was that of a J-10B fighter equipped with Chinese-made thrust-vectoring engines. When questioned during a conference in Zhuhai about whether the J-20 will be similarly equipped in the future, J-10B chief design engineer Yang Wei hinted that such trials with the J-20 may already have been conducted.

Two Chinese J-20 multirole fighters fly in formation during the 6–11 November Airshow China 2018 defence exhibition in Zhuhai. Source: Via China Ministry of National Defense

[Ayoshi]

China's Stealth Fighter: It’s Time to Discuss J-20’s Agility | The Diplomat - December 07, 2018

Why Care About Agility Anyway?

The agility of fifth generation fighter aircraft such as the F-22 and Su-57 outperforms past fourth generation aircraft in many flight regimes and loadouts. The F-35, designed from the outset as a multirole strike fighter, has often been criticized for being insufficiently agile; however, in recent years even the F-35’s agility has come around to be accepted as competitive against past fourth generation fighters, especially under similar combat and fuel loads.

In other words, competitive agility is important for any fighter aircraft intended to face opposing fighters, even in a secondary role. Furthermore, there are few clear indications as to what future fifth generation versus fifth generation air battles may look like, and it would be foolhardy for any air force to dismiss agility in such confrontations. Indeed, in stealth versus stealth engagements, one could even make the case that equal advancements in stealth, sensors, networking, electronic warfare, and weapons systems may end up cancelling out each side’s advantages and cause beyond visual range engagements to transition into within visual range combat where the importance of ACM is further elevated.

Following this, one may naturally assume that the J-20 would feature at least competitive agility. However, many proponents of the interceptor/striker position do not consider air superiority to be a primary mission that the PLAAF would have required the J-20 to fulfill. A commonly insinuated premise is that the Chinese aerospace industry was not capable of producing a fifth generation air superiority fighter, and would have to “settle” for a less technically challenging interceptor or striker instead. Such a position has often been articulated in two parts; one reflecting the J-20’s inherent aerodynamic design, and the other in relation to the J-20’s powerplant. We will now consider both parts in closer detail.

https://thediplomat.com/2018/12/chinas-stealth-fighter-its-time-to-discuss-j-20s-agility/