Zephyr Net

- The J-20 -

















The J-20 (K/JJ20?) #2001 prototype/technology demonstrator made its maiden flight on January 11, 2011 over the city of Chengdu, wearing a distinctive dark green color scheme (RAM coating applied?) and powered by two indigenous WS-1X turbofan engines. The prototype features a pair of all-moving tailfins and Russian 1.44 style twin ventral stabilizing fins and tail booms, which shield the engine nozzles but might increase RCS. Also there are four large underwing actuator fairings which might not be stealth optimized. It also features an F-22 style forward fuselage, including adjustable Caret inlets but with DSI bumps installed at the upper inner corners, as well as a one-piece frameless canopy. Small LERX are installed between the canards and main wings in order to generate vortex together with the canards at high AoA. Two small dark diamond shaped windows can be seen on both sides of the nose, which could house certain EO sensors, such as MAWS and/or IRST. Two additional windows are seen underneath the rear fuselage, plus two more on top of the forward fuselage above the canard wings, suggesting a distributed situational awareness system similar to the EODAS onboard American F-35 was installed providing a full 360° coverage. Besides a large belly weapon bay for short/long-range AAMs (up to 6 PL-10, PL-12C/D & PL-21), two smaller lateral weapon bays have been identified behind the air inlets for short-range AAMs (up to 2 PL-10). The 2001 prototype appears to fly without an internal gun, which is expected to be installed on later ones. First disclosed by US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in 1997 as XXJ, J-20 (Project 718) is a 4th generation heavy air superiority fighter to enter the service with PLAAF between 2016 and 2018, a timeframe much faster than the one (>2020) anticipated by the western military analysts. Since early 90s both CAC/611 Institute and SAC/601 Institute had been working their own designs to bid for a twin-engine heavy fighter with stealth capability and maneuverability comparable to American F-22. It was speculated that 601 Institute was working on a "tri-plane" design (J-18?) based on canard/conventional layout/V-shape tailfin while 611 Institute working on a design based on canard/tailless delta wing/V-shape tailfin/lateral DSI/bump inlet layout. All designs were expected to feature a belly internal weapon bay to reduce RCS, which has been speculated to be <0.05m2 (head-on). J-20 also incorporates an advanced FBW (or FBL?) system fully integrated with the fire-control and the engine systems. Its fire-control radar is expected to be AESA (Type 1475/KLJ5?) based on the less powerful model being tested onboard J-10B, both are developed by the 14th Institute. The radar is thought to be comparable to American APG-77. The next generation secure datalink is believed to be installed as well which provides secure networking with other J-20s and KJ-200/2000 AWACS. The aircraft also features a "pure" glass cockpit (two large color LCDs plus a few smaller ones and a wide-angle holographic HUD). Many of these subsystems have been tested onboard J-10B to speed up the development (see above). A dorsal receptacle might be installed to reduce RCS instead of a nose probe for IFR purpose. The exact type of engine powering prototypes is uncertain, even though a Chinese or Russian turbofan engine including AL-31F (13t class) and enhanced WS-10 (WS-10X?) (14t class) has been speculated. The enhanced WS-10X turbofan is capable of generating a higher thrust by sacrificing the engine life. Therefore this particular type of engine is for the J-20 prototype only and not for production models. Leaked images suggest that two types of engines were installed (separately on two 2001 prototypes?) but only one type was used for the maiden flight. One is AL-31F, the other is thought to be WS-10X featuring a silver color "stealth" nozzle with saw tooth edges to reduce RCS and IR emission. However the nozzle has yet to demonstrate an axisymmetric TVC capability. It was reported in November 2006 that a 17-18t class T/W=9.5-10 turbofan (WS-15/"large thrust") with a TVC nozzle is being developed and will eventually power J-20s in production. J-20 appears slightly longer and slimmer than both F-22 and T-50, suggesting a compromise between achieving high speed/maneuverability and the less powerful engines available. Therefore currently the J-20 prototype still lacks the supercurise capability until the planned WS-15 turbofan enters the service. Russian assistance was also speculated in terms of software support for calculating the RCS and aerodynamics of various designs. The overall performance of J-20 is thought to be superior to that of Russian T-50 (maneuverability & supercruise) but still inferior to that of American F-22 (electronics & stealth). In August 2008 it was reported that 611 Institute was selected to be the main contractor for the development of J-20 and 601 Institute as the sub-contractor. Subsequently a full-scale metal mockup was built at CAC. One rumor in May 2010 claimed that 611 Institute started to construct the first prototype, which was expected to fly by the end of 2010, even though the full configuration version won't fly until a few years later. Two prototypes have been constructed and the first low-speed taxi trial by 2001 took place on November 4, 2010. Once entering the service, J-20 could pose a significant impact/challenge to the air balance in eastern Asian and western Pacific region.

The latest images indicated that the #2002 prototype has been constructed and may fly soon. There are a few minor external differences between the two prototypes. One is the pitot tube has been relocated to the nose tip. The other is the main landing gear doors remain closed while the gears are extended.

I have made a shape for this aircraft in FA, however I need to make some modifications to make it more accurate.

I propose that the weapon bays can accomodate:

1 PL-10 IR missile in each side bay
6 PL-12 missiles in the main bay, assuming AIM-120C style clipped fins and an arrangement like in the F-22
4, or perhaps 6 PL-21 future ramjet missiles instead of PL-12s
small (125, 250, 500, 1,000 lb) GPS or laser guided bombs

The more I see of this jet the more I like it BUT it is not negatively stable like the F-22 and may just barely be neutrally stable like an F-16. The rear strakes are a common fix for high speed stability problems, the question is do they add more RCS just by thier placement and existence or do they reduce side RCS of the exhaust nozzles.

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The latest images indicated that the #2002 prototype made its maiden flight on May 16, 2012. There are a few minor external differences between the two prototypes. One is the pitot tube has been relocated to the nose tip. The other is the main landing gear doors remain closed while the gears are extended. Unconfirmed rumor suggested that #2002 has a retractable IFR probe installed on the starboard side of the cockpit similar to that onboard American F-35.

The J-20 (K/JJ20?) #2001 prototype/technology demonstrator made its maiden flight on January 11, 2011 over the city of Chengdu, wearing a distinctive dark green color scheme and powered by two indigenous WS-10X turbofan engines. The prototype features a pair of all-moving tailfins and Russian 1.44 style twin ventral stabilizing fins and tail booms, which shield the engine nozzles and its heat exhausts but might increase RCS. Also there are four large underwing actuator fairings which might not be stealth optimized. It also features an F-22 style forward fuselage, including adjustable Caret inlets but with DSI bumps installed at the upper inner corners, as well as a one-piece frameless canopy. Small LERX are installed between the canards and main wings in order to generate vortex together with the canards at high AoA. Two small dark diamond shaped windows can be seen on both sides of the nose, which could house certain EO sensors, such as MAWS. Two additional windows are seen underneath the rear fuselage, plus two more located forward and aft the cockpit, suggesting a distributed situational awareness system similar to the EODAS onboard American F-35 was installed providing a full 360° coverage. Besides a large belly weapon bay for short/long-range AAMs (up to 6 PL-10, PL-12C/D or PL-15), two smaller lateral weapon bays have been identified behind the air inlets for short-range AAMs (1 PL-10 in each). The 2001 prototype appears to fly without an internal gun, which is expected to be installed onboard later ones. It also may be flying without the RAM coating applied but this may change later. First disclosed by US Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) in 1997 as XXJ, J-20 (Project 718) is a 4th generation heavy air superiority fighter to enter the service with PLAAF between 2016 and 2018, a time frame much faster than the one (>2020) anticipated by the western military analysts. Since early 90s both CAC/611 Institute and SAC/601 Institute had been working their own designs to bid for a twin-engine heavy fighter with stealth capability and maneuverability comparable to American F-22. It was speculated that 601 Institute was working on a "tri-plane" design based on canard/conventional layout/V-shape tailfin while 611 Institute working on a design based on canard/tailless delta wing/V-shape tailfin/lateral DSI/bump inlet layout. All designs would feature a belly internal weapon bay to reduce RCS, which has been speculated to be <0.05m2 (head-on). J-20 also incorporates an advanced FBW (or FBL?) system fully integrated with the fire-control and the engine systems. Its fire-control radar is expected to be AESA (Type 1475/KLJ5?) based on the less powerful model being tested onboard J-10B, both are developed by the 14th Institute. The radar is thought to be comparable to American APG-77. The next generation secure datalink is believed to be installed as well which provides secure networking with other J-20s and KJ-200/2000 AWACS. The aircraft also features a "pure" glass cockpit (three large color LCDs plus a few smaller ones and a wide-angle holographic HUD). Many of these subsystems have been tested onboard J-10B to speed up the development. The exact type of engine powering prototypes is unclear, even though a Chinese or Russian turbofan engine including AL-31F (AL-31F-M3? 15t class) and enhanced WS-10 (WS-10G?) (14t class) was speculated. In the end the Russian engine is believed to be the likely candidate. AL-31F features a new silver color "stealth" nozzle with saw tooth edges to reduce RCS and IR emission. However the nozzle has yet to demonstrate an axisymmetric TVC capability. It was reported in November 2006 that a 17-18t class T/W=9.5-10 turbofan (WS-15/"Large Thrust"/Emei?) with a TVC nozzle is being developed and will eventually power J-20s in production. J-20 appears slightly longer and slimmer than both F-22 and T-50, suggesting a compromise between achieving high speed/maneuverability and the less powerful engines available. Therefore currently the J-20 prototype still lacks the supercurise capability until the planned WS-15 turbofan enters the service. Russian assistance was also speculated in terms of software support for calculating the RCS and aerodynamics of various designs. The overall performance of J-20 is thought to be superior to that of Russian T-50 (maneuverability & supercruise) but still inferior to that of American F-22 (electronics & stealth). In August 2008 it was reported that 611 Institute was selected to be the main contractor for the development of J-20 and 601 Institute as the sub-contractor. Subsequently a full-scale metal mockup was built at CAC. One rumor in May 2010 claimed that 611 Institute started to construct the first prototype, which was expected to fly by the end of 2010, even though the full configuration version won't fly until a few years later. Two prototypes were constructed and the first low-speed taxi trial by 2001 took place on November 4, 2010. Once entering the service, J-20 could pose a significant impact/challenge to the air balance in eastern Asian and western Pacific region. The #2002 prototype made its maiden flight on May 16, 2012. There are a few minor external differences between the two prototypes. One is the pitot tube has been relocated to the nose tip. The other is the main landing gear doors remain closed while the gears are extended. #2002 also has a retractable IFR probe hidden beneath a cover on the starboard side of the cockpit similar to that onboard American F-35. A recent image (October 2012) suggested that #2002 prototype appears to have the AESA radar installed together with a new nose cone. Both #2001 and 2002 prototypes were sent to CFTE in Yanliang in 2012, suggesting the test program has moved to the next stage. The #2002 prototype was seen conducting retractable missile launch rail tests in early 2013. Currently the third prototype (2003?) is thought to have been built and is preparing for its maiden flight. There were rumors that the 03 prototype will feature certain "major improvements" and is no longer considered as a "technology demonstrator". A tandem-seat trainer version (J-20S?) has been rumored to be in development as well but no details are available.

A recent image (October 2012) suggested that #2002 prototype appears to have the AESA radar installed together with a new nose cone. Both #2001 and 2002 prototypes were sent to CFTE in Yanliang in 2012, suggesting the test program has moved to the next stage. The #2002 prototype was seen conducting weapon integration tests with a dummy PL-10 IIR guided short-range AAM on its retractable side missile launch rail in March 2013. Unlike that of F-22, the weapon bay door is closed while the missile is fully exposed to maintain low RCS and reduce drag during dogfight. In July 2013 it conducted similar tests carrying dummy PL-15 AAMs inside the belly weapon bay. Currently the third prototype (2003?) is thought to have been built and is preparing for its maiden flight. There were rumors that the 03 prototype will feature certain "major improvements" and is no longer considered as a "technology demonstrator". A tandem-seat trainer version (J-20S?) has been rumored to be in development as well but no details are available.

AESA radar? I dont see any pics of the radome to verify that...

There are claims on JDF that these aircraft have been tracked in flight with gear retracted and transponders turned off...

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Who could track it, and from where? It may not have radar absorbent coatings or materials applied yet.

They did not disclose how it was tracked, just that it was.

Though I have to say to even think they would disclose this much was astonishing.

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The third prototype of the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter made its maiden flight successfully on Saturday 1st March. According to the witness report on Chinese social media, the J-20 prototype “2011″ took the sky at about 12:00 local time, escorted by a Chengdu J-10S two-seater fighter. The entire flight lasted about 30 minutes before the aircraft landed safely.

The “2011″ prototype was first spotted at the test airfield of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) preparing for its maiden flight in early 2014. A low-speed taxi test took place on 16 January, followed by a high-speed taxi test on 18 January.





The maiden flight of the first J-20 prototype “2001″ in January 2011 took the Western intelligence completely by surprise. A second prototype “2002″ then made its maiden flight in May 2012.

Compared with its two predecessors, the “2011″ prototype features a number of modifications in its aerodynamic design and systems, with the most notable being a chin-mounted electro-optical targeting system (EOTS). Other modifications include new air intakes, redesigned nose section, differently shaped leading-edge extension, redesigned frame-strengthened canopy, different gear bays, and slightly different forward canard and tail fin tips. In addition, the aircraft also wears a new light-grey colour radar-absorbing coating.



The latest flight test suggests that rather than serving as a technology demonstrator, the J-20 may be on its way to become the world’s third operational 5th-generation fighter, after the Boeing F-22A Raptor and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II. However, before this can happen Chengdu engineers will need to overcome a number of technical obstacles, such as the lack of indigenous turbofan jet engine and credible avionics.

[quote="mlad"]The third prototype of the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter made its maiden flight successfully on Saturday 1st March. According to the witness report on Chinese social media, the J-20 prototype “2011″ took the sky at about 12:00 local time, escorted by a Chengdu J-10S two-seater fighter. The entire flight lasted about 30 minutes before the aircraft landed safely.

The “2011″ prototype was first spotted at the test airfield of the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (CAIC) preparing for its maiden flight in early 2014. A low-speed taxi test took place on 16 January, followed by a high-speed taxi test on 18 January.





The maiden flight of the first J-20 prototype “2001″ in January 2011 took the Western intelligence completely by surprise. A second prototype “2002″ then made its maiden flight in May 2012.

Compared with its two predecessors, the “2011″ prototype features a number of modifications in its aerodynamic design and systems, with the most notable being a chin-mounted electro-optical targeting system (EOTS). Other modifications include new air intakes, redesigned nose section, differently shaped leading-edge extension, redesigned frame-strengthened canopy, different gear bays, and slightly different forward canard and tail fin tips. In addition, the aircraft also wears a new light-grey colour radar-absorbing coating.



The latest flight test suggests that rather than serving as a technology demonstrator, the J-20 may be on its way to become the world’s third operational 5th-generation fighter, after the Boeing F-22A Raptor and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II. However, before this can happen Chengdu engineers will need to overcome a number of technical obstacles, such as the lack of indigenous turbofan jet engine and credible avionics.

J-20 #2011 prototype first took off into the sky on March 1, 2014. Recent images (April 2014) suggested that a new "stealth" nozzle was tested on one of the engines onboard 2011. It was first rumored in May 2014 that additional 2012 - 2014 prototypes were being constructed. These prototypes have been speculated to feature a "nearly frozen" technical configuration before the production starts. The first low-speed taxi test of the #2012 prototype took place on July 14, 2014. The first flight of #2012 took place on July 26, 2014. It was rumored that #2013 will be fitted with TVC nozzles but that has not been confirmed. The first few of J-20s (00 batch?) could enter the limited service with PLAAF as early as 2016.

Frontal Stealth... This aircraft will have problems with anything tracking it from the rear quarters... The rounded engine nozzels will allow a more steady return of radar energy...

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FA Futures/FA-2 is Still Being Worked On and Will Be Released...