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Arsenal/Fighter/Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon”
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China · Active

Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon”

Fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter

China’s first operational fifth-generation fighter, designed for long-range air superiority, beyond-visual-range combat and networked operations.

Introduced2017
SpeedMach 2.0 class
RangeApprox. 5,500 km ferry
Crew1 (J-20A) · 2 (J-20S)
Platform profile

Technical overview

Manufacturer
Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC)
Primary role
Fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter
Dimensions
Approx. 21 m length · 13 m span
Operators
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Variants
J-20A · J-20B · J-20S
Operational status
Active
Complete platform dossier

Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” details

Identity

Full name
Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” (威龙)
NATO reporting name
Fagin
Type
Fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter
Manufacturer
Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC)
Country of origin
China
First flight
11 January 2011
Entered service
2017
Primary operator
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Crew
1 pilot (J-20A); 2 crew (J-20S)

Primary roles

  • Air superiority
  • Beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat
  • Precision strike
  • Long-range interception
  • Electronic warfare
  • Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)

Variants

J-20A
Standard single-seat operational fighter
J-20B
Upgraded version associated with improved engines and thrust-vectoring development
J-20S
Twin-seat variant intended for command, training and unmanned-aircraft teaming

Performance

Maximum speed
Mach 2.0 class (approximately 2,100–2,200 km/h)
Combat radius
Approximately 2,000 km (estimated)
Ferry range
Approximately 5,500 km (estimated)
Service ceiling
Approximately 66,000 ft (20,000 m)
Maximum G-force
+9 G (estimated)

Engine

  • 2 × Shenyang WS-10C afterburning turbofan engines on current aircraft
  • WS-15 engines are intended to provide higher thrust on newer aircraft
  • Thrust-vectoring has been demonstrated or associated with newer development variants
  • The WS-15 is intended to improve supercruise performance

Stealth features

  • Low radar-cross-section airframe shaping
  • Internal weapons bays
  • Composite materials
  • Radar-absorbent coatings
  • Diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI)
  • Independent assessments differ on how its low observability compares with the F-22 and F-35

Avionics

  • Type 1475 (KLJ-5) AESA radar
  • Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)
  • Infrared Search and Track (IRST)
  • Advanced sensor fusion
  • Integrated electronic-warfare suite
  • Secure data links

Armament

Internal gun
Not publicly confirmed
Air-to-air missiles
PL-10 short-range and PL-15 long-range BVR missiles; PL-21 is reported as a future very-long-range weapon
Air-to-ground weapons
Precision-guided bombs and air-to-surface missiles, depending on mission configuration
Anti-ship capability
Compatibility with selected Chinese anti-ship weapons has been reported; details are not publicly confirmed

Payload

Weapon stations
Internal weapon bays plus external hardpoints
Maximum payload
Approximately 11 tonnes (estimated)
Maximum takeoff weight
Approximately 37 tonnes (estimated)

Strengths

  • Long combat range and large internal fuel capacity
  • Advanced AESA radar and sensor fusion
  • Strong beyond-visual-range combat focus
  • Large internal weapons bay
  • J-20S is designed to support command and unmanned loyal-wingman teaming

Limitations

  • Most detailed performance data remains classified
  • Operational experience is limited compared with the F-22 and F-35
  • Stealth effectiveness is debated outside China
  • Many publicly available specifications are estimates rather than officially confirmed figures

Operators and customers

China — People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)No confirmed export customers

Interesting facts

  1. Its Chinese nickname “Weilong” (威龙) translates as “Mighty Dragon.”
  2. It is China’s first operational fifth-generation fighter.
  3. Its large airframe prioritizes long range and internal fuel capacity.
  4. Public estimates suggest that more than 300 aircraft have been built.
  5. The J-20S is widely described as the first two-seat fifth-generation stealth-fighter design and is intended to coordinate unmanned combat aircraft.