Everything about the J-20 fighter; From price to specifications

China’s J-20 fighter is not only an advanced military aircraft, but also a symbol of the country’s power in the aerospace industry and a serious effort to challenge the American air dominance. Nicknamed the Mighty Dragon, this fifth-generation fighter is designed as a stealthy long-range interceptor to change the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. In this article, we will fully review the history, specifications, price and capabilities of this modern fighter.

Chengdu J20 fighter; History and country of manufacture

The development path of the J-20 fighter is the story of an intensive and targeted program that demonstrates China’s industrial ability to achieve self-sufficiency in defense technologies. The roots of this project go back to the late 1990s and a program called “J-XX” that aimed to build a fifth-generation fighter for the Chinese Air Force. In 2008, Chengdu Aerospace Industry Corporation’s proposal won over its competitor, and the path to build this fighter was paved.

The first prototype of the Chengdu J-20 fighter made its first flight on January 11, 2011; An event that is considered a turning point in the history of Chinese military aviation. Unlike the long and expensive development cycles of western fighters such as F 35the Chinese used the “spiral development” approach. This means they quickly fielded an operational platform and continuously improved it as they gained experience.

The J-20 fighter officially entered the service of the Chinese Air Force in March 2017, and the first combat unit equipped with this aircraft was formed in February 2018. Of course, the rapid development of this fighter has always been accompanied by allegations of technological espionage of US military programs, especially the F-35 fighter program. Although China denies these accusations, the conceptual similarities in some systems have caused these speculations to continue.

Dragon design: A combination of speed and stealth

The design of the J-20 fighter is an intelligent compromise between the conflicting needs of speed, range, stealth and maneuverability. Measuring between 20.4 and 23 meters in length, this fighter is significantly larger than its American and Russian competitors. These large dimensions allow it to carry a large volume of internal fuel, which contributes to its extraordinary operating range.

The main goal in the design of this fighter has been to minimize the radar cross section (RCS), especially from the front view. Several features have been used to achieve this goal:

• Integrated body with precise angles: The smooth lines of the body deflect the radar waves in other directions.
• Air inlets DSI: These supersonic air intakes keep the engine’s highly reflective blades hidden from enemy radars.
• Integrated couch: The bubble couch of the cockpit is covered with a layer of conductive material to prevent the reflection of radar waves from the equipment inside the cabin.
• Internal weapon compartments: Carrying all weapons in internal compartments greatly reduces the radar cross section.
• Radar absorber cover (RAM): The surface of the aircraft is covered with advanced radar absorbing materials to absorb the enemy’s radar energy.

However, analysts believe that the stealth of the J-20 fighter is not all-encompassing. While it is very stealthy from the front, its design may increase the radar cross-section from the side and rear angles.

The main challenge: the beating heart of the J-20 fighter

The story of the development of the J-20 fighter engines has been the most challenging part of the program of this fighter. The route represents China’s attempt to overcome one of its last major hurdles in becoming a full-fledged aerospace power.

In the early stages, the J-20 fighter relied on the Russian Saturn AL-31F engines. These engines, which were designed for 4th generation fighters, did not have enough power for a 5th generation fighter. Around 2019, China successfully installed the indigenous Shenyang WS-10 engine on this fighter. This action allowed China to continue the mass production of the J-20 fighter without dependence on Russia.

But the final engine and main target for this fighter is Shenyang WS-15. This engine is considered a big leap for the Chinese engine industry. The most important feature that the WS-15 brings to the J-20 fighter is “Supercruise”; That is, the ability to fly at a stable supersonic speed (about Mach 1.8) without using an afterburner. This capability significantly increases the range, speed and combat efficiency of the fighter. Achieving mass production of the WS-15 not only unleashes the full potential of the J-20 fighter, but also demonstrates the maturity of China’s aerospace industry.

Specifications of the J-20 fighter

Based on the available data, the Chengdu J20 fighter has impressive flight performance, which shows advantages over its competitors, especially in terms of range and speed. In the table below, a summary of the specifications of the J-20 fighter is presented.

Fighter power J20

The J-20’s combat capabilities are based on a combination of advanced sensors and long-range weapons. This configuration makes it a hunter for valuable enemy assets. The brainchild of this fighter is a powerful Active Electronically Scanned Phased Array (AESA) radar that can detect targets the size of a fourth-generation fighter from a distance of more than 300 kilometers.

In addition to radar, the J-20 fighter is equipped with a set of passive sensors that allow it to be aware of its surroundings without emitting waves. The suite includes an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) and a Distributed Aperture System (DAS) that provides 360-degree coverage around the aircraft.

To maintain maximum stealth, this fighter carries all its weapons in three internal compartments. Its standard configuration includes 4 PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles and 2 PL-10 short-range missiles. The PL-15 missile, with an estimated range of more than 200 kilometers, is considered one of the deadliest beyond-the-line-of-sight missiles in the world and is one of the most advanced weapons among Super fighters of the world is An interesting feature in the design of the J-20 fighter is the absence of an internal cannon, which indicates the designers’ focus on long-range combat.

The price of the J-20 fighter

program J-20 fighter It is not only a technical achievement, but also a great economic investment for China. The price of the J-20 fighter varies depending on its equipment and technology level. Estimates from Western sources estimate the price of each of these fighters between 110 and 120 million dollars. This figure makes the J-20 fighter among the most expensive fighters in the world.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this program is the speed and scale of its production. The annual production rate of this fighter is estimated to be around 100. While the F-35 production rate is split between the US and dozens of allied nations, all 100 J-20s produced will be delivered directly to the Chinese Air Force. This means that China is adding stealth fighters to its fleet in the region at a faster rate than the US.

Chinese dragon against western rivals

To better understand the position of the J-20 fighter, it should be compared with other fifth-generation fighters.

Comparing the J-20 fighter with the F-35, it should be said that these two represent two different philosophies. The F-35 is a multirole fighter whose main strength lies in sensor fusion and information sharing. In contrast, the J-20 fighter is a specialized platform for air superiority and long-range interception. The J-20 has the edge in speed and range, but the F-35 has the upper hand in all-round stealth and proven combat experience.

Compared to the F-22 Raptor, it must be said that the F-22 is still the gold standard of air superiority fighters and has unparalleled maneuverability. With longer range and longer-range missiles, the J-20 is designed for long-range engagements to avoid close combat with the F-22.

summary

The Chengdu J-20 fighter is a landmark achievement for China’s defense industry and a game-changer in global air power. Its main strength lies in the combination of long range, high speed, good stealth from the front and long-range air-to-air missiles. These features make it an ideal tool to implement China’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

However, this platform also faces limitations. Its stealth is probably not as comprehensive as its American rivals and, more importantly, it lacks any real combat experience. Finally, the J-20 fighter has managed to fundamentally change the strategic balance in the skies of Asia, and with its staggering production rate, it creates a small advantage for the Chinese Air Force that can challenge the limited qualitative superiority of Western fighters.

Source: Digikala Mag