China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Aircraft

China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Aircraft

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Why in News

  • World attention is focused on China's future aircraft designs, but the Chengdu J-20 has already become the main fighter jet of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

About China's J-20 Fighter

  • The Chengdu J-20, also called Mighty Dragon, is a twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter built for air control and long-range precision attacks.
  • The Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) developed this aircraft for the PLAAF under the J-XX programme.
  • The fighter jet took its first flight in 2011 and entered official military service in 2017.

Key Features

  • It uses a canard-delta wing shape and diverterless supersonic intakes to reduce radar detection and increase flight agility.
  • Advanced sensors including AESA radar, Electro-Optical Targeting System, and Distributed Aperture System give the pilot full battlefield awareness.
  • The jet runs on homegrown WS-10C and WS-15 engines, which allow supercruise speeds with higher performance.
  • Pilots can choose stealth mode with hidden internal weapons or Beast Mode with external missiles for maximum firepower.
  • The twin-seat J-20S variant can direct electronic attack systems and command loyal wingman drones in combat.

Strategic Significance

  • Mass production of this aircraft helps modernise the PLAAF quickly and expands China's fifth-generation fighter fleet.
  • This stealth jet improves China's ability to challenge rival air forces across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.