Basic Information

Name

J-20 (FAGIN) Chinese Stealth Air Superiority Fighter

Designation

J-20

Alternate Designation

—

Equipment Type

—

Manufacturer

Chengdu Aerospace Corporation

Date of Introduction

2017

Description

The J-20 (FAGIN) Chinese Stealth Air Superiority Fighter is 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). 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.

Air & Air Defense Specifications

Crew 1

Engine Afterburning turbofan (140 hp)

Max Speed 2.0 km/h

Range 6000.0 km

Service Ceiling 20000 m

System

Alternate Designation(s) J-20; NATO: FAGIN

Primary Function / Type Stealth Air Superiority Fighter

Manufacturer Chengdu Aerospace Corporation

Crew 1 ea

Number of Engines 2 ea

Number of Hard Points 4× under-wing pylon capable of carrying drop tanks.

Internal Weapons Bay PL-10 short range AAM; PL-12 Medium Range AAM; PL-15 BVR long range AAM; PL-21 Long Range AAM; LS-6 Precision-guided bomb

Dimensions

Length 20.4 m

Width (Wing Span) 13.5 m

Wing Area 78 m2

Empty Weight 19,391 kg

Gross Weight 32,092 kg

Maximum Takeoff Weight 37,013 kg

Automotive

Engine Name 2 × WS-10B or AL-31FM2 afterburning turbofan

Number of Engines 2 ea

Engine Type Afterburning turbofan

Engine Power 140 or 145 kN (31,000 or 33,000 lbf) with afterburner

Maximum Range 6,000 km

Maximum Speed Mach 2

Combat Range 2,000 km

Service Ceiling 20,000 m

G Limits +9/-3

Thrust/Weight 0.92 (1.12 with loaded weight and 50% fuel) with AL-31FM2 (estimated)

Fuel Capacity 11,340 kg

Main Gun System

Note The J-20 is reported to lack an internal autocannon or rotary cannon, suggesting the aircraft is not intended to be used in short range dogfight engagements with other aircraft but engage them with from long standoff ranges with missiles such as the PL-15 and PL-21.

Main Missile Systems

Main Missile System #1

Name PL-15

Type Active Radar-Guided Very Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

Manufacturer 607 (Air-to-Air Missile Research Institute)

Length 4.0 m

Diameter INA

Wingspan INA

Engine Pulsed solid-propellant rocket

Operational Range 300+ km

Maximum Speed Mach 4

Guidance System Active Radar-Guided

Main Missile System #2

Name PL-21

Type Active Radar-Guided Long Range Air-to-Air Missile

Manufacturer China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

Length 5.5 m

Diameter 250–300 mm

Engine Ramjet

Guidance System active radar with AESA

Bomb Weapon Systems

Bomb #1

Name LS-6

Type Precision-Guided Bomb

Manufacturer Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC)

Length INA

Diameter INA

Weight 50 kg version and a 100 kg version

Warhead Various gravity bombs

Detonation Mechanism Impact or Proximity

Maximum Speed Free-fall

Guidance System INS with GPS or laser guidance

Fire Control / Avionics

Fire Control Radar INA

Active Electronically Scanned Array Type 1475 (KLJ-5) active electronically scanned array

Optical Targeting System EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system (EOTS)

Infrared Search and Track System EORD-31 infrared search and track

Targeting and Communication Prototypes after application "2011" and production models feature revised nose section with an electro-optical/infra-red targeting system and an advanced communications suite on top of the aircraft enables it to datalink with other friendly platforms in service, such as airborne early warning drones. Six electro-optic sensors called Distributed Aperture System[a] similar to EODAS can provide 360-degree coverage for pilot with sensor fusion system combing radar signal with IR image in order to provide better situational awareness. The combination of an integrated targeting pod with spherically located passive-optical tracking system is reported similar to the design concept of Lockheed Martin F-35's avionic suite. Beijing A Star Science and Technology has developed the EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system and Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System for the J-20 and potentially other PLAAF fighters to detect and intercept stealth aircraft.

Cockpit, Helmet and Displays The aircraft features a glass cockpit, with one primary large color liquid crystal displays (LCD) touchscreen, three smaller auxiliary displays, and a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD). The size of the primary LCD screen is 24 x 9 inches (25.63 by the diagonal) with two systems for redundant illumination.

Radar

Note Official information on the type of radar that J-20s use have not yet been released publicly. Some analysts believed that J-20s used Type 1475 (KLJ-5) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with 1856 transmit/receive modules, but more recent information's revealed that this radar was designed for upgraded versions of J-11D. Other analysts point out that, based on nose cross-section of J-20 and known data about a single transmit/receive module surface in the J-16's AESA radar-system, J-20s likely fit 2000–2200 transmit/receive modules

Protection

Stealth Properties Yes, Analysts noted that the J-20's nose and canopy use a similar stealth shaping design as the F-22, yielding similar signature performance in a mature design at the front, while the aircraft's side and axi-symmetric engine nozzles may expose the aircraft to radar. One prototype has been powered by WS-10G engines equipped with different jagged-edge nozzles and tiles for greater stealth. Others have raised doubts about the use of canards on a low-observable design, stating that canards would guarantee radar detection and a compromise of stealth. However, canards and low-observability are not mutually exclusive designs. Northrop Grumman's proposal for the U.S. Navy's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) incorporated canards on a stealthy airframe. Lockheed Martin employed canards on a stealth airframe for the Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) program during early development before dropping them due to complications with aircraft carrier recovery. McDonnell Douglas and NASA's X-36 featured canards and was considered to be extremely stealthy.[80] Radar cross-section can be further reduced by controlling canard deflection through flight control software, as is done on the Eurofighter. The diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) enables an aircraft to reach Mach 2.0 with a simpler intake than traditionally required, and improves stealth performance by eliminating radar reflections between the diverter and the aircraft's skin. Analysts have noted that the J-20 DSI reduces the need for application of radar absorbent materials. In May 2018, Indian Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa claimed that Su-30MKI fighters could detect J-20 from "several kilometers away" amid reports from the Indian media that the J-20 is undetectable. Analyst Justin Bronk from Royal United Services Institute noted that Chinese are possibly flying the J-20 with radar reflectors during peacetime for safety and training purposes due to the potential for accidents and identification from other aircraft or ground installations.[

Heat Signature Reduction Yes

Add on Armor INA

NBC Protection INA

EW Counter Measures INA

Chaffs/Flares Yes

Image Sources

Notes https://asiatimes.com/2023/07/chinas-j-20-to-fly-game-changing-homemade-engines/; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:J-20s.jpg; https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/mighty-dragon-symbol-chinas-maturing-air-force;