Know About China J20 Stealth Fighter Jet
On January 11, 2011, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates sat down with Chinese President Hu Jintao in China to discuss ways to improve defense cooperation between the United States and China. Just hours before the meeting, news of the first flight of the J20 stealth began to circulate on the Chinese Internet.
Robert Gates’ advisers immediately informed him about this important development, the J20, what happened after that and why the international media, especially the Western countries, are still searching for the J20.
J20 is a single-seat twin-engine multi-role stealth, fighter aircraft, developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). Developed for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, the fifth-generation aircraft has a NATO reporting semi-black eagle. In November 2010, two prototypes were developed for aerial and ground testing.
J20 Design & Development:
The J20 is larger in size than the Russian SU-57 and the American F22 Raptor, while its front portion is similar to the F22 and rear section to SU-57. China had refused to join a joint project with Russia to jointly build a fifth-generation aircraft, in which India was also interested.
China began work on Project 718, in 1990, to build its own fifth-generation fighter aircraft, also known as the JXX program. CAIG was selected as the prime contractor, in August 2008. The Maiden Flight was completed in January 2011, while the US Secretary of Defense was on a visit to China.
His team members were considering convening a separate meeting, on this important issue. However, Robert Gates, instead of a separate meeting, asked President Jin Ho Tao directly, about the test flight. The Chinese civilian staff in the room were shocked and it seemed that they were not even aware of this test.
The meeting went on for some time when Hu Jintao told Robert Gates that the recent test of the Chinese stealth aircraft was already scheduled. In such a dramatic manner, the J20 appeared before the eyes of the world. Since then, it is the only stealth aircraft in the world to be explored in various ways.
And today, China is the second country in the world, after the United States, to build and use fifth-generation aircraft. J20 was formally inducted into the Chinese Air Force in February 2018. However, the aircraft was shown to the public at the 11th Zhuhai Air Show in November 2016.
J20 Basic features
With WS15 Engine, J20’s Speed is reportedly around 2.5 Mach. This aircraft also has supercruise capability. The range is said to be 3400 km and the service ceiling is more than 65000 feet.
J20 Sensors:
The J20’s sensor suite has a large array of radar. Although no definitive radar type information is available, experts say it is a KLJ5 radar developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronic Technology.
The Diamond Shaped window reflects that the Distributed Aperture Infrared Vision System is installed.
The range of this radar is stated to be 370 km. While it has capabilities like Identification of Friend & Foe, Continuous Tracking Capability, Track While Scan, Low Probability of Intercept.
Notably, the KLJ-7A radar of 3 array configuration manufactured by Nanjing is also reportedly considered for J20, which has an announcement range of 170 km to the public and is equipped with better anti-jamming capability.
J20 Electro-optical targeting system
Electro-optical targeting system EOTS-86 developed by Beijing A-Star Science and Technology has been used. The J20’s electro-optical targeting system was mentioned on A-Star’s brochure, saying that thanks to this system, even if the radar of the J20 aircraft was jammed by the American F18 Growler, the J20 can with the help of this EOTS, can detect B2 from a distance of 150 km and F-22 Raptor from a distance of 110 km.
It may be recalled that Beijing’s A-Star Science and Technology has also introduced an infrared search and tracking system for J31, which is called EORD-31, and its range is said to be more than 185 km. Therefore, it proves to some extent that the range of EOTS will be around 200 km.
J20 Distributed Aperture System (DAS)
J20’s other sensors and avionics include a distributed aperture system on the front and rear of the cockpit. Let me tell you about the DAS. Distributed aperture system is used by aircraft pilots, for better situational awareness. This system keeps the pilot informed about incoming threats such as an Aircraft or Missile.
On the other hand, it has day and night vision, fire control capability, as well as friendly aircraft precision tracking capability. Notably, the F35 has a Northrop Grumman An / AAQ-37 DAS system.
The J20 also has a DAS and radar reflector on its belly side. This system enables continuous tracking of aircraft. The Luneberg Reflector Lens is basically a Passive radar reflector and is the most efficient Passive radar reflector available at the moment.
It does not require any power or maintenance. In addition to these sensors, the Missile Approach Warning System, Laser Range Finder, is also present in this aircraft.
Speaking of the J20 cockpit, it uses a glass cockpit. The cockpit has a liquid crystal display and a heads-up display. There is a retractable refuelling probe outside the cockpit.
J20 Weapons:
The J20 has two small internal bays and 6 external hardpoints, equipped with short-range PL10E high off bore site capability in addition to a large internal bay. Four External fuel tanks can also be installed as per need. Existing weapons include 4 PL15 medium to long-range air to air missiles, two short-range PL 10E air to air missiles, or medium range PL12 i.e. SD10 air to air missile. A very long range PL21 air-to-air missile is also expected in the future.
In Air-to-ground weapons configuration, it can be fitted with anti-radiation missiles, YJ91, Extended Range Bomb LS6, and other air-to-ground weapons.
J20 Power plant:
The current aircraft uses the Russian AL31F, while China is also working on the J20B version, which will use the WS10g or WS15. Testing has also been done with WS10C. Some sources have also shared news about the use of WS10X, a more powerful full engine in this category, on J20.
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