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Meet the J-20 Mighty Dragon, China's fifth-generation stealth fighter, designed to compete with the world's best, including the American F-22 and F-35.
In recent years, China has developed a fifth-generation stealth fighter that is impressing the world: the J-20 Mighty Dragon. But is it a match for the legendary American F-22 and F-35?
The story of the J-20 began in the late 90s, when China started the JXX project to develop a fighter capable of competing with the best in the world. Led by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, the project faced enormous challenges in areas such as aircraft design, advanced materials, systems integration and propulsion.
On January 11, 2011, China's J-20 Mighty Dragon fighter jet took off for the first time
Finally, on December 22, 2010, the first J-20 prototype was tested, marking a historic moment for Chinese aviation. On January 11, 2011, China's J-20 Mighty Dragon took off for the first time, piloted by the legendary Le Gang. The short 18-minute flight was enough to electrify the global aviation community.
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In the following years, the J-20 underwent many tests and refinements. One of the biggest challenges was propulsion. Initially equipped with Russian engines, the J-20 began using the domestic WS-10C engine, capable of vector thrust and supercruise, allowing the fighter to reach speeds in excess of Mach 2 without using afterburner.
It is also equipped with advanced sensors, AESA radar and more
Another crucial advance was in stealth technology. The J-20 has a diamond wing design that helps reduce its radar signature, as well as using radar-absorbent materials and special coatings. He too is equipped with advanced sensors, AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and a wide range of missiles and smart bombs.
In 2016, the J-20 was unveiled to the public during the Zhuhai air show, and in 2017 it entered active service with the Chinese Army Air Force. Today, China is estimated to have more than 200 J-20s in service, with plans to increase that number.
Although some question its true stealth capabilities and the WS-10C engines are still not as powerful as the American F119 and F135…
Compared to its American rivals, the J-20 is larger, allowing it to carry more fuel and weapons. Your Canard Delta design and vector thrust engines make it extremely maneuverable. Furthermore, the J-20 is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, capable of disrupting enemy communications, which could be decisive in future conflicts.
Although some question its true stealth capabilities and the WS-10C engines are not yet as powerful as the American F119 and F135, the J-20 represents an incredible technological advancement and China's rise as a military superpower.
Interesting information about the WS10C engine, being able to make this J-20 fly at Mach 2 or higher, if in terms of power to weight ratio not even the WS15 (which would be comparable to the PW-F119) had this disposition, much less this WS10C will have it. I think there is an exaggeration in the power disclosed by you!
In fact, with WS10C it is known that it does not have this performance, it was actually used for flight tests and design improvements, but last year flight tests with WS15 began, so I believe that in a few years it will be ready for mass use.