Modified J-20 seen being prepared for maiden test flight - Janes
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Modified J-20 seen being prepared for maiden test flight - Janes
Modified J-20 seen being prepared for maiden test flight
Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
23 February 2014
A CAC J-20 undertaking high speed taxing trials. Source: via Chinese internet
Images emerged on 20 February of a modified prototype Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) J-20 fifth-generation fighter undertaking high-speed taxi runs.
These taxi runs are presumably prior to its maiden flight and suggest it may be a pre-production variant slated for formal testing by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Photographs of the prototype first appeared on Chinese military web sites in December 2013 and January, although some of these images appeared to have been digitally altered. The prototype carries the bort number '2011' and shows modifications intended to improve engine performance, combat capability and stealth.
Most noticeable are redesigned engine intakes featuring more of a sloped 'caret' design said to improve pressure distributions for the engine. The vertical stabilizers have been clipped in their outer aft corners and the main wheel doors and the internal weapons bay cover feature larger scalloping to aid low observability. The canopy also features a new brace.
A new electronic targeting system is located below the nose and just aft the radar. This and the J-20's distributed infrared sensor system points indicate Chengdu's ambitions to give the J-20 an optical and infrared targeting and warning system similar to that of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The new intake shape and electronic targeting system may also suggest multirole ambitions for the J-20, which has a larger internal weapons bay than the F-35.
On 16 February China's Securities Times Online reported that a demonstrator version of the 15-ton thrust WS-15 turbofan, the J-20's expected engine, may be completed in 2014. Other sources note the WS-15 may not be ready for service entry until 2020 and indicate that continued difficulties in its development will lead to the adoption of Russian engines for initial J-20 production.
If this is the case then the J-20 may be first powered by a version of the 13.5-ton thrust Saturn AL-31F-M1, with the 14.3-ton thrust AL-31-M2 or the 14.5-ton thrust Saturn 117S possible later options. In 2010 reports suggested that China was seeking the 117S turbofan for the J-20 but so far Russia has been reluctant to sell China this engine separately from the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter.
Fitted with Russian engines initial production aircraft could emerge as early as 2015 for testing by the PLAAF, with service entry following in 2017 and initial operating capability (IOC) by 2019.
Other sources have suggested that a tandem twin-seat 'J-20S' may also emerge in 2014, raising the possibility of an eventual dedicated fifth-generation strike fighter that could rival the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's twin-seat fourth-generation J-16 attacker, now in testing.
COMMENT
Design refinements are an expected result of early aircraft prototype development although it is unclear whether these modifications represent the definitive pre-production standard for the J-20.
If the reported production time-line holds, then CAC is on schedule to fulfill PLAAF General He Weirong's 9 November 2009 prediction that China's fourth-generation (fifth-generation in Western terminlogy) fighter could enter service in "8 to 10 years."
.
Richard D Fisher Jr, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
23 February 2014
A CAC J-20 undertaking high speed taxing trials. Source: via Chinese internet Images emerged on 20 February of a modified prototype Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) J-20 fifth-generation fighter undertaking high-speed taxi runs.
These taxi runs are presumably prior to its maiden flight and suggest it may be a pre-production variant slated for formal testing by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).
Photographs of the prototype first appeared on Chinese military web sites in December 2013 and January, although some of these images appeared to have been digitally altered. The prototype carries the bort number '2011' and shows modifications intended to improve engine performance, combat capability and stealth.
Most noticeable are redesigned engine intakes featuring more of a sloped 'caret' design said to improve pressure distributions for the engine. The vertical stabilizers have been clipped in their outer aft corners and the main wheel doors and the internal weapons bay cover feature larger scalloping to aid low observability. The canopy also features a new brace.
A new electronic targeting system is located below the nose and just aft the radar. This and the J-20's distributed infrared sensor system points indicate Chengdu's ambitions to give the J-20 an optical and infrared targeting and warning system similar to that of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The new intake shape and electronic targeting system may also suggest multirole ambitions for the J-20, which has a larger internal weapons bay than the F-35.
On 16 February China's Securities Times Online reported that a demonstrator version of the 15-ton thrust WS-15 turbofan, the J-20's expected engine, may be completed in 2014. Other sources note the WS-15 may not be ready for service entry until 2020 and indicate that continued difficulties in its development will lead to the adoption of Russian engines for initial J-20 production.
If this is the case then the J-20 may be first powered by a version of the 13.5-ton thrust Saturn AL-31F-M1, with the 14.3-ton thrust AL-31-M2 or the 14.5-ton thrust Saturn 117S possible later options. In 2010 reports suggested that China was seeking the 117S turbofan for the J-20 but so far Russia has been reluctant to sell China this engine separately from the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter.
Fitted with Russian engines initial production aircraft could emerge as early as 2015 for testing by the PLAAF, with service entry following in 2017 and initial operating capability (IOC) by 2019.
Other sources have suggested that a tandem twin-seat 'J-20S' may also emerge in 2014, raising the possibility of an eventual dedicated fifth-generation strike fighter that could rival the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's twin-seat fourth-generation J-16 attacker, now in testing.
COMMENT
Design refinements are an expected result of early aircraft prototype development although it is unclear whether these modifications represent the definitive pre-production standard for the J-20.
If the reported production time-line holds, then CAC is on schedule to fulfill PLAAF General He Weirong's 9 November 2009 prediction that China's fourth-generation (fifth-generation in Western terminlogy) fighter could enter service in "8 to 10 years."
.
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Surely the F22 is only a bit ungainly on the ground. Unless you catch it at an odd angle with the canopy it's nice in flight.
In contrast, this J20 thingie's seriously unattractive.
In contrast, this J20 thingie's seriously unattractive.
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It's stealthy? With canards and four rear control surfaces, with a leading edge break on the big one?
Nice parachutes. Looks like it'd need the third one fitted before too long.
Nice parachutes. Looks like it'd need the third one fitted before too long.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
China's First Stealth Fighter Is About to Enter Production
Chinese media reports suggest the J-20 is ready for production, ahead of schedule.
A report posted online by China’s Xinhua News Agency suggests that the J-20 – China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet – has entered the mass production stage. The evidence is a photograph of a J-20 on the tarmac, coated with yellow primer paint and bearing the serial number “2101.”
Previous versions of the J-20 have been numbered in the 2000s (with the first prototype labeled 2001 and the most recent 2017). The appearance of a number in the 2100s hints to China’s online military enthuasists that production has entered the production stage – although Xinhua cautions that the initial production run for the J-20 may be limited at first. In particular, unnamed experts cautioned that the software used in fifth-generation fighters will need additional testing, even if the body of the aircraft is finalized.
Experts interviewed by Xinhua said the J-20 would have progressed to production quite quickly if the rumors are true. The first J-20 took flight in 2011, less than five years ago. Xinhua notes there were no major changes from the previous images of the 2017 version to this new 2101 J-20, meaning the design is already fairly set, with only minor alterations expected from here on out. Critics believe the design has progressed so quickly because China based its J-20 on stolen plans for the United States’ F-22 and F-35.
The J-20 is China’s first attempt at a stealth fighter, and details are scarce. Observers are not even certain which engine the planes will use, whether China’s indigenously-created WS-15 or a Russian import, such as the AL-31 used in earlier J-20 prototypes (China may also be interested in reverse-engineering the new AL-117S engine used in 24 Su-35s Beijing just purchased from Russia).
According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2015 report on military developments in China, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force is pursuing two separate stealth fighter programs (the J-20 and J-31) “to improve its regional power projection capabilities and strengthen its ability to strike regional airbases and facilities.” The J-20 is expected to have a top speed of Mach 2.5 and a combat range of around 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), according to GlobalSecurity.org.
The stealth capability in particular is seen as crucial in China’s development of an air force capable of conducting offensive operations abroad, and Beijing takes it particularly seriously. According to a Chinese military expert cited by Xinhua, the J-20 is supposed to have stealth capabilities surpassing those of its Russian competitor, the T-50.
According to the Pentagon, China’s J-20s “could enter service as early as 2018.”
Chinese media reports suggest the J-20 is ready for production, ahead of schedule.
A report posted online by China’s Xinhua News Agency suggests that the J-20 – China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet – has entered the mass production stage. The evidence is a photograph of a J-20 on the tarmac, coated with yellow primer paint and bearing the serial number “2101.”
Previous versions of the J-20 have been numbered in the 2000s (with the first prototype labeled 2001 and the most recent 2017). The appearance of a number in the 2100s hints to China’s online military enthuasists that production has entered the production stage – although Xinhua cautions that the initial production run for the J-20 may be limited at first. In particular, unnamed experts cautioned that the software used in fifth-generation fighters will need additional testing, even if the body of the aircraft is finalized.
Experts interviewed by Xinhua said the J-20 would have progressed to production quite quickly if the rumors are true. The first J-20 took flight in 2011, less than five years ago. Xinhua notes there were no major changes from the previous images of the 2017 version to this new 2101 J-20, meaning the design is already fairly set, with only minor alterations expected from here on out. Critics believe the design has progressed so quickly because China based its J-20 on stolen plans for the United States’ F-22 and F-35.
The J-20 is China’s first attempt at a stealth fighter, and details are scarce. Observers are not even certain which engine the planes will use, whether China’s indigenously-created WS-15 or a Russian import, such as the AL-31 used in earlier J-20 prototypes (China may also be interested in reverse-engineering the new AL-117S engine used in 24 Su-35s Beijing just purchased from Russia).
According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2015 report on military developments in China, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force is pursuing two separate stealth fighter programs (the J-20 and J-31) “to improve its regional power projection capabilities and strengthen its ability to strike regional airbases and facilities.” The J-20 is expected to have a top speed of Mach 2.5 and a combat range of around 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), according to GlobalSecurity.org.
The stealth capability in particular is seen as crucial in China’s development of an air force capable of conducting offensive operations abroad, and Beijing takes it particularly seriously. According to a Chinese military expert cited by Xinhua, the J-20 is supposed to have stealth capabilities surpassing those of its Russian competitor, the T-50.
According to the Pentagon, China’s J-20s “could enter service as early as 2018.”
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Average height of a Chinaman is ~ 5'5", compared to ~ 5'10" for UK/USA*. Perhaps the cockpit can be 7.5% smaller as a result, making the rest of the 'plane seem larger...
*http://www.disabled-world.com/artman...ht-chart.shtml
*http://www.disabled-world.com/artman...ht-chart.shtml
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Ignoring the range improvements, I would comment on the rate of development which is reminiscent of the UK and USA in WWII and the 50s, rather than the 20-30 years with new aircraft......
SNAFU!: J-20 with four huge drop tanks. UPDATED with video!
SNAFU!: J-20 with four huge drop tanks. UPDATED with video!
If you are referring to the external tanks then yes, they do still make sense on an LO platform, particularly one built for long range - you only need LO features once you arrive in the threat area. Given the size of the J-20 you can only presume that it can penetrate and recover over quite a long way. With an expanding AAR capability and artificial island airfields dotted around the area China will have capability over a massive stretch of the Pacific.
It is easy to pick apart the individual threads of China's rather unique military enhancements but taken as a whole their mix of long range anti-ship and anti-air missiles, a mesh of sonar nets and long-range radars plus airfields capable of hosting long-range LO aircraft, all on reclaimed islands, will give pause for thought for a CVN.
With no dedicated tanker aircraft (ignoring buddy / terminal tanking from SH) the strike reach of the USN is a relative weakness that China is able to exploit.
It is easy to pick apart the individual threads of China's rather unique military enhancements but taken as a whole their mix of long range anti-ship and anti-air missiles, a mesh of sonar nets and long-range radars plus airfields capable of hosting long-range LO aircraft, all on reclaimed islands, will give pause for thought for a CVN.
With no dedicated tanker aircraft (ignoring buddy / terminal tanking from SH) the strike reach of the USN is a relative weakness that China is able to exploit.
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It seems that it has entered service.
Defense Ministry: China's J-20 fighter jet put into service - Xinhua | English.news.cn
Defense Ministry: China's J-20 fighter jet put into service - Xinhua | English.news.cn