Chengdu J-20

[Ayoshi]

China may be developing first two-seat stealth combat aircraft | Janes - 18 January 2019

A two-seat version of China’s first stealthy combat aircraft, the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) J-20, may be in development to fulfil roles as a tactical bomber, electronic warfare (EW), or carrier strike aircraft, according to a report published in the state-owned Global Times newspaper on 16 January.

The concept of a two-seat variant of the J-20 is not new and computer-generated images (CGIs) of such an aircraft have circulated on the Internet for some time.

However, the likelihood that such a variant will be produced has increased following state broadcaster China Central Television’s (CCTV’s) recent release of a TV report showing a CGI of a two-seat J-20. The 16 January report not only highlighted the advantages of having two aircrew in a complex tactical environment, but also asked whether China would be the first country to introduce a two-seat stealth combat aircraft.

State broadcaster CCTV showed a CGI of a two-seat J-20 aircraft in a 16 January report. China may be developing a two-seat variant of the fighter, according to Chinese state-owned media. Source: Via CCTV.com

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/90225/image-confirms-j-20-fighter-assigned-to-plaaf-combat-unit-at-wuhu

Image confirms J-20 fighter assigned to PLAAF combat unit at Wuhu
01 August 2019

Wuhu Air Base is situated near the Yangtze River approximately 280 km inland from Shanghai. The base is home to the 7th and 9th Air Brigades. The 9th Air Brigade received the Su-30MKK in 2001.

Assigning the J-20 to such a combat unit is a significant move because the two previous PLAAF units known to operate the J-20 were related to operational evaluation and tactical training.

Chinese state-owned media have for the first time released an image of a J-20 fighter bearing the serial number of a known combat unit of the PLAAF. Source: Via cctv.com

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/90891/china-s-plaaf-shows-seven-j-20-fighters-flying-in-formation

China’s PLAAF shows seven J-20 fighters flying in formation
06 September 2019

No details were provided as to exactly when and where the images were taken but the aerial manoeuvres are believed to have taken place as part of rehearsals for a military parade set to take place on 1 October to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

China's PLAAF recently released images showing seven J-20 fighters in the air: the largest number of J-20s to be publicly shown flying in close formation. (PLAAF)