China unveils advanced J-20 stealth fighter in fly over at air show

So the official debut of the J-20 has arrived at Air Show China in some nice flying maneuvers.

Bloggers have been comparing the J-20 with the US military’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor ever since it was been first tested. The fifth-generation fighter resembles the F-22 Raptor in terms of appearance, but is equipped with a different engine.

Meanwhile, China is also working on another stealth jet program, the J-31, which is reported to be a Chinese response to the American F-35 Lightning II. China is the only country apart from the United States that has two concurrent stealth aircraft development programs going at the moment. Both the J-20 and J-31 programs are believed to be aimed at supporting China in taking more assertive stances in territorial disputes with its neighbors over the East and South China Seas.

Besides China, only the US and Russian Air Forces have fifth generation stealth fighters at their disposal at present.

Well, certainly the Chinese people are proud of their defense and aerospace industry achievement. I personally don't feel like it appears as stealthy or as nice looking as the F-22, but I am no expert at radar signatures and cross sections so maybe it is just as effective.

Some related articles are also good reading
J-20 spotted with new camo pattern
Is This China’s First Stealth Fighter?

a reply to: worldstarcountry

Yes, I read about this during my early morning smoke and mug of hit coffee and it was an interesting article.

Good for the chinese. There capabilities are maturing and their work is finally being shown off.

However, like I pointed out in other threads in regards to chinese products, this is a product that is the result of chinese espionage.

Most likely from Hillary. (Jk, relax...or...)

Mind you, there were two, one immediatly left while the other remained to "show off."
These are said to be the F22 and F35 rivals. I'm not so sure the J20 can compete, but that is just the American in me, of course we have yet to see operational capability.

The link I posted below is not only my cite, but has additional information. I know, i kno...it is MSN. But still, some relevant information.

S+F👍

References:
www.msn.com...

a reply to: worldstarcountry

After watching the video of the J-20. It is a very big fighter/bomber plane and I do see a bit of a problem with it making those large long turns.

The J-20 looks like it is going to be more of a long range attack incursion aircraft versus a dogfighter. Judging by those turns though, a majority of nimble fighter jets could easily out maneuver the J-20.

I know this is their first modern generation fighter so I won't expect as much. China has more work to do in making improvements if they intend on competing with American air superiority.

I would give China less than 20 years before they catch up in capability.

Good Find Sir! +1 Star for you.

a reply to: 4N0M4LY

I agree, I know I have seen F-16's making sharper more robust turns and banks at my local airshows. Our F-22's have already been used in Iraq and Syria. Let us just hope China does not decide to go in operation for the first time with these in the South China sea disputes, because I feel like they may end up hopelessly disappointed when confronted by US, Korean, and/or Japanese air defense and fighter capabilities.

They said next year though, so maybe in time for full blown open warfare in the Syria theater of WW3.

I wonder if they have a twelve year old kid buried inside pedaling those engines?

a reply to: worldstarcountry

The J-20 looks nothing like the F-22. I believe they flip flopped the names. The J-31 however looks very similar to the F-22. Almost as if they copied it exactly. Minus thrust vectoring of course. The chinese do not have that capability I believe.

a reply to: Bluntone22

why cant I stop laughing?! Im in tears, you have me visualizing a Flintstones style action inside a cramped compartment with a caption that reads "The claustrophobia is real up in this bitch!"

LMFAO!!!!

a reply to: worldstarcountry

It also has some very unstealthy features. It's cute for a first try, however. If this is truly their LRIP, I'm not sweating.

Shes quite snazzy, didn't expect them to be flying with a luneberg lens so the RAM must be complete?













I wonder how long until the proper engines come.

Did the J-31 make an appearance too?

a reply to: 4N0M4LY

It's not a fighter. It's an interceptor to fling long range missiles at AWACS & tankers & surface ships & anybody who disagrees with their map alterations.

One thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to systems integration and intrinsic capabilities of new components, technologies and capabilities, then there is no reason to believe the Chinese are any better than the Europeans, the Russians or America. If they really pushed the envelope, then expect to have many years of testing and groundings before reliable capability is reached. The plane will no doubt end up being very capable with some nasty surprises in store: but it may be at least another 5 years, probably more, before anyone really sees what it is reliably capable of.

It's always fun to watch the underestimation of other countries. You'd think that only Western nations can build aircraft that can do anything. The J-20 doesn't have to be as stealthy as an F-22 or F-35, it just has to be stealthy enough to get in range to launch on an AWACS, or tankers. And with new missiles coming into service, that range isn't nearly as close as it used to be.

As pointed out, it's also not a dogfighter like the F-16, or others, it's designed to get in, fire, and get out, or get out, intercept target aircraft, and get back.

a reply to: Zaphod58

ok see I was not really aware of its official role. Would you say then that the J-31 is what is expected to be the dog-fighter, air to air combat platform to compete for air superiority??? If so, I need to keep an eye out for when they show that one off.

a reply to: worldstarcountry

The J-31 is closer to the F-35, with a lower grade sensor suite. At the last showing of the J-31, the engines gave them problems, as they were using temporary engines while they complete development of the final powerplants.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Seems like a huge investment on their part for a tactic that can be defeated with simply strategic placement changes on our part. Once the range of this thing is nailed down, we'll compensate, re-order and come up with a new battle strategy. I've got no doubt.

a reply to: aholic

Anything in the Pacific is going to be ruled by range. Our options are extremely limited because of the distances involved. We can come up with new tactics, but there are only so many options out there.

This looks like one hell of an aircraft.

It may look stealthy, but the avionics/airframe does not contain any stealth technology. It's a glorified 90s fast-jet. a reply to: worldstarcountry

a reply to: Zaphod58

You think the J-31 looks like the F-35?

This aircraft is quite the anomaly.

I can't see it being too stealthy, like Zaph said, it doesn't need to compete in Stealth with the F22/F-35, but the design contradicts itself.

It looks like an interceptor to me too. I can't foresee a modern fighter that expects good BFM turning using a delta wing base. However, the canards help with maneuvering. But they are atrocious for stealthiness, especially beign forward mounted. Almost seems like the designers decided on an interceptor, but love the idea of a dog fighter.

If they truly stole the data we think they stole, then this could work. But that would mean that they have the LoRCS coatings that make rounded surfaces stealthy. If they don't have that, then this thing would have a rather large radar cross section. The canopy, the nacelles, the intersections that the canards make to the main fuselage. The flap pylons. Just seems like most Chinese technological developments, an 85% great copy with the other 15% getting mailed in.

I think we're OK from China for the next 20 years. But the PAK-FA, that kind of scares me. ***shudder***