Chengdu J-20: Did China join the planet top?

chiny24.com 1 year ago

Chengdu J-20 "The Mighty Dragon" is simply a 5th generation fighter developed by the Chinese company Chengdu Aerospace corp for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). In its first version designed as a single-seat, two-engine aircraft in stealth technology, suitable for all weather conditions.

J-20 is an aerial advantage fighter with the anticipation of precise impact. His maiden flight took place on January 11, 2011. It was officially presented at the 2016 global Aviation Exhibition. The aircraft entered service in March 2017, and the combat training phase most likely began in September 2017.

The first J-20 combat unit was established in February 2018.

J-20 is the world's 4th 5th generation fighter aircraft after American F-22, F-35 and Russian Su-57. J-20 will effectively replace Su-27sk, Su-30MKK and Su-30MK2 aircraft presently in PLAAF service.

Development Programme

The Chinese J-XX improvement program began in the late 1990s. Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal, marked as task 718, won support from PLAAF as a consequence of the 2008 competition. Shenyang's plan was a controversy, which was much larger than
J-20.

In 2009, it was revealed that the fighter's first flight was planned in 2010-11, with the date of entry into service until 2019.

On 22 December 2010, the first J-20 prototype passed high-speed taxi tests, and 3 months later it went up into the air.

Subsequent J-20 prototypes were modified, including various low detection technology components and stealth coating. Vertical stabilizers were redesigned in 2014. Thanks to the available photograph materials, analysts have besides noticed fresh equipment and devices for multitasking operations, specified as integrated precision ammunition targeting capsules and six additional passive infrared sensors.

In December 2015, the prototype (LRIP) J-20 was spotted by a military observer. Chinese state media reported in October 2017 that the J-20 task was finalized and is ready for mass production as well as ready to fight.

The series production J-20 was based on Russian turbofan engines of the AL-31 series. In January 2019, Chinese media reported that a two-seat J-20 variant was being developed for usage in tactical bombings, electronic war and aircraft carriers' strikes. In November 2019, J-20 painted with yellow primer coating was spotted during flight tests by defence observers at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's production facility. The aircraft was equipped with a fresh variant of WS-10 Taihang engines with serrated booster nozzles to increase invisibility.

Chinese state media reported that the fresh J-20 variant, J-20B, was presented on 8 July 2020 and entered mass production on the same day. The only publically mentioned modification of J-20B was to equip the aircraft with a thrust vector control system.

Andreas Rupprecht expressed skepticism about the usage of string vectoring by Chinese. He believed that J-20 uses a variant of WS-10, which he called WS-10C. This engine has improved string, more serrated booster nozzles and higher reliability, but is not designed to vector thrust, unlike WS-10 TVC for the J-10 aircraft presented at China global Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition 2018.

Project characteristics

The J-20 has a long and wide fuselage, with a carved bow section and a frameless bowl. Immediately behind the cockpit there are low, noticeable air intakes. Completely moving surfaces canard of a clearly two-wall form shall be placed behind the inlet, followed by an extension of the edge of the attack joining the delta wing with the forward tilting edges of the flow. The stern section has double, tilted outwards, full movable fins, short but deep abdominal belts and conventional circular engine nozzles.

One crucial plan criteria for J-20 is advanced flight instability. This requires constant control of the plane's tilting axis at a large angle of attack, at which the conventional level ballast would lose effectiveness due to drag. Hence, the usage of the “canard” (duck) strategy – an aircraft plan strategy in which the rudder of tallness (called the canard) is located in the foreside of the wings. In J-20 canard can tilt in the other direction to the angle of attack, thus avoiding drag and thereby maintaining control over the stableness of the machine's flight. Duck plan provides good supersonic performance, excellent performance in supersonic bends and transonic and better performance erstwhile landing in a short field compared to conventional delta wing construction.

To increase efficiency in the canard system, the hull was raised and the edges of the lobes extended. According to designers, this combination generates 1.2 times the carrying force of a simple duck delta and 1.8 times the carrying power of a clean delta of equivalent size. specified combination allows the usage of a smaller wing, reducing supersonic opposition without prejudice to the transsonic characteristics of the load-bearing force to resistance, which is key to the behaviour of the aircraft in turns.

Radar

Official information on the kind of radar utilized by J-20 has not yet been published. any analysts believed that J-20 utilized 1475 (KLJ-5) radar with an active electronically scanned strategy (AESA) with 1856 broadcasting and receiving modules, but more fresh information revealed that this radar was designed for improved J-11D versions.

Other analysts point out that, on the basis of the J-20 forehead cross-section and the known data on the surface of a single transmitting and receiving module in the AESA J-16 radar system, the J-20 forehead is likely to contain 2000-2200 transmission and reception modules.

Direction and communication

The electrooptic/infrared targeting strategy and the advanced communication set at the top of the aircraft enable it to communicate with another friendly platforms specified as flying early informing drones.

Six electrooptic sensors called the distributed aperture system, akin to the AN / AAQ-37 electrooptic strategy with distributed EODAS aperture, can supply the pilot with 360-degree coverage with sensor fusion, combining radar signal with infrared image to supply better situational awareness. The combination of an integrated targeting capsule with a spherically placed passive-optic tracking strategy is akin to the plan concept of the Lockheed Martin F-35 avionics set.

Beijing A Star discipline and Technology has developed an EOTS-86 electrooptic targeting strategy and an electrooptic distributed aperture strategy for J-20 and possibly another PLAAF fighters to detect and capture stealth aircraft.

cockpits and displays

The aircraft has a glass cockpit with 1 main contact screen with a large colour liquid crystal display (LCD), 3 smaller auxiliary displays and a wide-angle holographic translucent display (HUD). The size of the main LCD screen is 24 x 9 inches (25.63 diagonally) with 2 systems for redundant lighting.

Weapons

The aircraft's main armament chamber can accommodate both short- and long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM, kind PL-9, kind PL-12C/D and PL-15 – PL-21), while the 2 smaller side-to-side arms chambers behind the air inlets are designed for short-range AAM missiles (PL-10). These lateral bays let the cavity to be closed before the projectile is launched, allowing the projectile to launch in the shortest possible time, while contributing to an increase in “invisibility” (stealth effect).

According to reports, J-20 does not have an interior automatic or rotary plot, which suggests that the aircraft is not designed to fight air at short distance with another aircraft, but to fight them at long distance with missiles specified as PL-15 and PL -21.

The weaponry of the fighter is usually found inside it. Under the wings, 4 of their “hard spots” called “node” are placed additional fuel tanks, expanding the scope of the machine. However, as with the US F-22, the J-20 is improbable to be equipped with specified additional tanks in the course of combat missions. Tanks are susceptible to damage, which means that in specified configuration J-20 can execute tasks in peace operations specified as transit between air bases. The fighter is able to carry 4 AAM mid- and long-range missiles in the main chamber and 1 short-range rocket in each aircraft's lateral weapon chamber. A stairway strategy with six PL-15s is possible, depending on the rail launcher for future mounted missiles.

Engines

The prototype Chengdu J-20 models were equipped with Shenyang WS-10B engines – an engine variant developed for Chengdu J-10. any sources propose that initially produced J-20 were equipped with Saturn AL-31FM2 engines, which are a highly improved variant of Lyulka AL-31. specified an engine has a maximum firing thrust of 145 kN (32600 pounds of force).

Test samples equipped with WS-10 variants were besides seen. In the long term, the aircraft was planned to be equipped with a WS-15 engine producing a 180 kN string.

The fresh Xian WS-15 engine makes it possible to accomplish crucial superpass speeds. According to the Global safety engine core, consisting of advanced force compressors, combustion chambers and advanced force turbines, was successfully tested in 2005. The core photograph appeared at Zhuhai air show in 2006. Without a WS-15 J-20 engine, it is incapable to fly super fast. J-20B version with thrust vector nozzles reportedly inactive uses Saturn AL-31F M2 turbofans.

The aircraft is equipped with a retractable refueling probe embedded on the right side of the cockpit. Tanking in flight helps the fighter to hold “invisibility” while crossing longer distances.

Non-detectability

It appears that the beak and cab cover J-20 have a akin masking plan as the F-22 and may supply akin performance at the front. An axial symmetry engine nozzle may exposure an aircraft to radar detection. 1 of the observed prototypes was powered by WS-10G engines equipped with various nozzles and tiles with jagged edges that supply greater invisibility.

One of the observed prototypes was powered by WS-10G engines equipped with various nozzles and tiles with jagged edges that supply greater invisibility.

Non-directional supersonic Inlet (DSI) allows the aircraft to accomplish Mach 2.0 with a simpler inlet than traditionally required, and besides improves the effectiveness of hiding by eliminating radar reflections between the control and the plane's hull. DSI J-20 reduces the request for radar absorbing materials.

In May 2018, Indian Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa claimed that Su-30MKI fighters could detect J-20 from “a fewer kilometers”. Analyst Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute noted that the Chinese are likely to fly J-20 with radar headlights ("destroying" stealth effect) in peacetime for safety reasons, due to the anticipation of accidents, to guarantee appropriate recognition by another aircraft as well as ground stations.

Prototype models and flight tests

On 11 January 2011, J-20 made its first flight, lasting about 15 minutes, with Chengdu J-10B serving as a pursuit aircraft. After a successful flight, a ceremony took place, attended by pilot Li Gang, chief designer Yang Wei, and General Li Andong, Deputy manager General for Weapons.

On 17 April 2011, a second test flight lasted 1 hr and 20 minutes.

On 5 May 2011, a 55-minute test flight was held, which included rearing the chassis.

On 26 February 2012, J-20 made various maneuvers at low altitude.

On 10 May 2012, a second prototype passed high-speed taxiing tests and flight tests which began at the end of that month.

On 20 October 2012, photographs of a fresh prototype with another dome were released, which was speculated to accommodate AESA radar.

In March 2013, photographs of side arms chambers, including rocket launcher rails, appeared.

On 16 January 2014, a J-20 prototype was revealed, utilizing a fresh inlet and masking shell, as well as redesigned vertical stabilizers and an electrooptic targeting system. This peculiar aircraft, bearing the number ‘2011’, made its maiden flight on 1 March 2014 and is said to represent the first pre-series standard.

By the end of 2014, 3 pre-series prototypes were flown: the number ‘2012’ on 26 July 2014, the number ‘2013’ on 29 November 2014 and yet the number ‘2015’ on 19 December 2014.

On 13 September 2015, tests of the fresh prototype, marked ‘2016’, began. He had noticeable improvements, specified as altered DSI inlets, reducing weight, complexity, and radar signature. DSI changes suggested the anticipation of utilizing more powerful engines in the prototype than in its predecessors, most likely an advanced 14-ton (run power) derivative of Russian turbo-ventilators AL-31 or Chinese Shenyang WS-10 turbo-ventilators, although by 2020 J-20 was planned to usage an 18–19-ton WS-15 engine, allowing the jet to fly superfast flights without utilizing boosters.

Trapezoidal booms around the engines have been enlarged, possibly to place radars aimed at the rear or electronic disruptors. The hull extends almost entirely to the exhaust nozzles of the engine. Compared to its predecessors “2014” and “2015”, “2016” hides more engine space inside the “invisible” hull.

In November 2015, a fresh J-20 prototype with the number “2017” rose into the sky. The most crucial change in the fresh prototype was the cockpit shield, providing the pilot with better visibility. The absence of another structural changes suggested that ‘2017’ was very akin to the final J-20 production configuration.

It has been reported that the J-20 task is already mature. At the same time, it was found that the task encountered a number of demanding method problems, specified as reliability of WS-15 engines, failure of flight control system, efficiency of stealth coating, quality of materials utilized to make hull shell and respective others.

Serial production

At the end of December 2015, a fresh J-20 of 2101 was spotted; it is believed to be a version of the LRIP aircraft. In October 2017, Chinese media reported that Chengdu Aerospace corp (CAC) began serial production of J-20, and the device is on track to accomplish full operational capability in the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Initially, the deficiency of a suitable engine produced locally hampered the mass production of J-20, and in September 2018 problems with the improvement of the WS-15 engine were reported. However, it was shortly reported that the origin of the problem was identified (the overheating of turbine blades), which required comparatively insignificant improvements, while their implementation allowed to presume that the engine could shortly be utilized in the series-produced J-20.

Operational implementation

On 9 March 2017, Chinese officials confirmed that J-20 entered service in the Chinese Air Force. China was expected to be equipped with low detection Chengdu J-20 combat aircraft by 2020.

The global Institute of strategical Studies (IISS) stated that the United States could lose its advantage in the field of operational stealth aircraft. J-20 officially entered service in September 2017, making China the second country in the planet — after the United States — and the first in Asia to produce an operational 5th generation stealth aircraft. PLAAF began introducing J-20 aircraft to combat units in February 2018. The aircraft entered service in the 9th Air Brigade stationed at Wuhu Air Base in Anhui state in March 2019, replacing previously deployed Su-30MKK fighters.

The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army by early 2023 most likely received 150 units of these aircraft. There have been voices that specified a advanced production rate is dubious, the real number of aircraft produced is much lower, and the 1 made public is part of a propaganda run involving Chinese state-controlled media.

On 27 August 2019, the Central Military Commission of the People's Liberation Army approved J-20 as the future base fighter PLAAF. any of the Chinese military chose behind the FC-31 aircraft, which is cheaper, lighter and much more returnable than J-20. However, J-20 is much more technologically advanced, has a larger scope and carries a heavier burden than FC-31.

Pilot training and preliminary exercises

The J-20 pilot training began as early as March 2017, after the fighter entered limited service in the first operational capacity phase (IOC). During the MKOl phase, the fighters are equipped with radar reflectors, besides known as Luneburg lens, to enlarge and hide the actual radar cross-section.

J-20 took part in its first combat exercises in January 2018, practicing maneuvers against Chinese 4th generation fighters specified as J-16 and J-10C. This training allows pilots to familiarize themselves with the 5th generation aircraft and make tactics both behind and against them.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defence besides revealed that J-20 conducted night-time confrontation missions during respective coordinated tactical exercises. J-20 took part in its first ocean-based combat exercises in May 2018.

U.S. Assessment

The 2015 RAND study showed that the combination of hiding forwards and long-range J-20 threatens US water resources, and the ability to strike a long-range sea strike may rise greater concern in the United States than a short-range fighter with an airborne advantage specified as F-22.

In his 2011 yearly study to the Congress, The Pentagon described J-20 as a "long-range platform capable of penetrating impacts into complex air defence environments". The observers failed to scope a consensus on the main function of J-20. J-20 clearly seems to be an air-to-air fighter emphasising invisibility forward, aerodynamics at advanced speeds, scope and appropriate maneuverability. The J-20 equipped with long-range rockets may endanger delicate flying tankers and ISR/C2 platforms specified as Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS, depriving Washington of radar coverage and impact range.

According to reports, 1 of these targets, Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is optimized for detecting stealth aircraft the size of fighter planes specified as J-20. respective analysts have noted that the experience gained from J-20 will give China a crucial advantage over India, Japan and South Korea, which have difficulty designing and producing their own 5th generation fighters. However, Japan and South Korea have imported F-35A, which minimizes this possible technological imbalance.

The United States Marine Corps created a full-sized replica (FSR) of Chengdu J-20 in December 2018. The replica was spotted outside the Air Dominance Center at Savannah Hilton Head Airport, Georgia. The United States Marine Corps later confirmed that the aircraft was built for training purposes.

Project F-35 helped plan J-20

In April 2009, the Wall Street diary study indicated that according to the Pentagon, information from Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II was compromised by unknown attackers who seemingly came from China. There is speculation that the F-35 programme could aid make J-20.

Aeroplane specifications and weapons

What is 5th Generation Fighter

The 5th generation was started by Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor in late 2005. These aircraft are designed from the beginning to operate in a network-centric combat environment and feature highly low, multi-faceted, multi-spectral signatures utilizing advanced materials and shaping techniques. They have multi-functional AESA radars with advanced bandwidth and low probability of interception. IRST and another sensors are combined to gain situational awareness and continuously track all interesting targets around the 360-degree aircraft bubble. Avionic sets are based on the wide usage of high-speed integrated circuits (VHSIC) and high-speed data bus technologies. The integration of all these elements is believed to supply 5th generation fighters with “the ability to first look, first shot, first kill”. In addition to advanced immunity to ECM, they can function as "mini-AWACS". Integrated electronic combat systems, integrated communication, navigation and recognition (CNI), centralised "vehicle condition monitoring", fibre-optic data transmission and stealth technology are crucial features. Manoeuvring efficiency is increased by vectoring thrust, which besides helps reduce take-off and landing length. It has the anticipation of supersonic flight without a booster.

System and interior structures minimize RCS in a wide frequency band. To keep a low signature, the main weapon is carried in the interior chambers.

Stealth technology has now developed to a level where it can be applied without compromising aerodynamic performance. Signature simplification techniques include a peculiar approach to shaping, thermoplastic materials, extended structural application of advanced composites, conforming sensors, heat-resistant coatings, poorly visible wire meshes to cover inlet and cooling holes, thermoablation plates on the exhaust gutters, interior coatings, and external metallic surfaces with materials and radar absorbing paints. These planes are very expensive. J-20 is larger than Sukhoi T-50 and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. He seems to have borrowed plan concepts from the American and Russian 5th generation programs.

4.5 generation fighters

Military budget cuts after the Cold War and advanced financial requirements for the 5th generation fighter resulted in generation 4.5 fighters in the late 1990s. This subgeneration utilized advanced digital avionics, newer aviation materials, modest signature reduction, and highly integrated systems and weapons. These fighters operated in a network-centric environment. Key introduced technologies included BVR AAM; GPS-guided weapons, phase-system semiconductor radars, helmet-mounted sights (HMDS) and improved secure, interference-resistant data link.

A certain degree of ability to fly (supersonic without a booster) has been introduced. The stealth characteristics focused on the simplification of front radar cross-section (RCS) through limited shaping techniques.

This category included aircraft specified as Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Russian Su-35. Many of them are inactive produced and developed. It is rather possible that they can proceed in production with 5th generation fighters due to the cost of developing advanced technology. The 4.5 generation fighter aircraft are expected to have AESA radar, advanced capacity data link, improved avionics, and advanced weapons deployment.

J-20 fleet size and future

Last year's reports resulted in a reassessment of both the size of the modern J-20 fleet, production indicators and potential. During the Zhuhai Air Show 2022 cross-examination of serial numbers showed that by November 2022 the full fleet size had already exceeded 208 machines.

Based on erstwhile experience and balancing active participation in projects in major Chinese aviation corporations, Chengdu is now likely to be the main contractor of the 6th generation PLAAF fighter. It is likely that the maintenance of a advanced production rate of J-20 of 100 aircraft per year (or more) from mid-2020 may let a phased conversion of the J-20 line to a sixth generation fighter to let for more effective early deliveries, although this is highly improbable at this stage.

Conclusion

Twelve years after his first flight, J-20 reached a comparatively mature operational capacity. However, it continues to gain fresh opportunities and technological advancement through improvements between subsequent parties. The aircraft will be further improved, for example thanks to another milestone – the usage of the WS-15 engine.

The J-20 aircraft household is likely to evidence a further increase in orders and proceed production for at least a fewer years, which will most likely let a well-managed logistics and maintenance network to be created, and will launch a economies of scale effect and will be the basis for comprehensive modernization packages for existing aircraft.

J-20 itself will yet succeed, as will the J-10 series and the national Flanker families (J-11B, J-16), which have been expanded with new, more efficient variants. The J-20 will besides be upgraded, fresh variants will be developed and produced (such as the J-20A mentioned).

This is likely to coincide with the early stages of investigating and production of the 6th generation fighter, which may happen at the end of this decade, while any anticipated features accompanying the 6th generation (such as improved UCAV control) will most likely be adopted for implementation in existing J-20 variants.

Written by Marek Rosin and Grzegorz Sośnicki Rosin

Editorial: Leszek B.

Email: [email protected]

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