Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The J-20 is seen in the West as a leap forward for China's aerospace industry. While few details have been released, it has the potential to meet the growing capability requirements of the People's liberation Army Air Force.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The external lines of the J-20 have drawn comparisons with the F-22, the F-35 and the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA - however, only its internal mission equipment will determine its capabilities and effectiveness.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

This view of the upper surface shows the canards deflected forward.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The precise role of the J-20 has not been revealed, but it is believed to be a long-range fighter-bomber, capable of carrying weapons in large internal bays.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The prototype J-20 completed its first flight on January 11, 2011.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

With slats deployed and moisture streaming off the wing leading edges, the J-20 prototype is seen pulling some gs.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

In addition to the large ventral fins, dorsal strakes are mounted below the 'booms' outside of the twin engine exhausts.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

J-20 '2001' is the first, and so far only, example to have flown.

Air International 2011-02 / News

Air International 2011-02 / News

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

This photo of J-20 2001 at CAC’s airfield in Chengdu, shows the off-centre pitot tube and the configuration of the main landing gear doors when extended.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

J-20 2001 at CAC’s airfield in Chengdu.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The first J-20 is pictured taxiing at the Chengdu Design Institute's airfield.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

From the front you can see the large blisters under the wings housing the actuators for the flying controls.

Air International 2011-02 / News

Air International 2011-02 / News

The Jian-20 fighter seen for the first time at Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's Plant No 132 airfield from December 22, 2010.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

A rare shot of the first two flight-test J-20s parked together.

Air International 2011-02 / News

The large main landing gear doors have the serrated edges common to most low-observable designs.

Air International 2012-05 / D.Sloggett - Asassin's MACE? /Military/

The make of engine powering the J-20 prototype has not been officially disclosed but it is believed to be either the AL-31F or 117S. An indigenous powerplant - possibly the WS-15 - is being developed for the aircraft.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Вид на хвостовую часть самолета J-20

Air International 2011-02 / News

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

J-20 2002 at CAC’s airfield in Chengdu.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2018-05 / L.Nordeen - Air superiority /Military/

PL-15 test articles loaded in the weapons bay of a J-20 fighter during weapon integration tests flown at Chengdu Aircraft Research and Design Institute's airfield.

Air International 2012-07 / News

The second prototype Chengdu J-20 is believed to have made its maiden flight on May 16, 2012 at the 611 Institute airfield at Chengdu. Images of the aircraft in the air began to appear on Chinese internet sites on that date. In comparison to the first aircraft ('2001'), '2002' has its pitot tube repositioned on the nose, while the large main landing gear doors, which appear to be open for take-off and landing on the first aircraft, are closed on the second during those phases of flight. The first J-20 departed for the Chinese flight-test establishment at Yanliang near the city of Xian on May 11, possibly signalling the start of state trials.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

J-20 2002 with two drag chutes deployed after landing at CAC’s airfield in Chengdu.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

One of the few photos that gives an idea of the J-20’s size compared to other types, with 2002 parked in front of two J-10s.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Chengdu J-10 - КитайChina - 1998

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

The third prototype J-20, aircraft 2011, during its first flight on March 1, 2014.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

The third J-20 on its maiden flight on March 1, 2014.

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Aircraft 2011 during high-speed taxiing tests in February 2014.

Air International 2014-09 / News

Images of the fourth Chengdu J-20 fighter prototype (2012) on the ground began appearing on Chinese internet sites in June 2014. It has since been revealed the aircraft made its first flight, which lasted around two hours, on July 26. The jet displays modifications introduced on the third aircraft (2011), which was first noted in January, including a faceted ‘bulge’ under the nose, possibly a housing for an electro-optical targeting system; refined air intakes; and a reprofiled upper tail from which a triangular section has been removed from the top of the trailing edge.

Air International 2015-01 / News

The fifth prototype Chengdu J-20, 2013, during its maiden flight on November 29, 2014.

Air International 2015-02 / News

Chengdu J-20 2015 during its maiden flight

Air International 2015-11 / News

The seventh J-20 fighter, side number 2016, lands at Chengdu-Huangtianba after its maiden flight on September 18, 2015.

Air International 2017-02 / Airscene

The first examples of the J-20 have reportedly been handed over to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Flight Test Establishment at Yanliang for ongoing testing.

Air International 2016-12 / Airscene

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

Авиация и Космонавтика 2017-01 / М.Никольский - 11-й Международный авиасалон Airshow China

J-20

Air International 2020-01 / Conferences and Events

These trade events allow air arms and the world's biggest aerospace companies to preview their most technologically advanced products. In 2018, the fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter made its official public debut.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2019-04 / М.Никольский - "Сухие" для Поднебесной (11)

Перспективный истребитель пятого поколения J-20

Air International 2016-11 / Airscene

On September 30 and October 1, 2016, there was a semi-official presentation of the Chengdu J-20A. Four pre-production aircraft were seen performing an air display over Chengdu airfield. Reportedly seven pre-production aircraft exist and the first two were delivered to the flight test centre at either Cangzhou or Dingxin Air Force Base.

Air International 2017-11 / Airscene

This unidentified Chengdu J-20A fifth-generation stealth fighter took part in celebrations to mark the official introduction of the type with China’s People's Liberation Army Air Force on September 28, 2017.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2017-01 / М.Никольский - 11-й Международный авиасалон Airshow China

Air International 2016-12 / Airscene

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Вверху J-20 с китайскими двигателями WS-10, внизу - с двигателями АЛ-31Ф

Авиация и Космонавтика 2016-12

Истребители J-20 на авиасалоне в Джухае

Авиация и Космонавтика 2017-01 / М.Никольский - 11-й Международный авиасалон Airshow China

J-20 в полете

Air International 2016-12 / Airscene

The J-20 display was performed only once during Airshow China at the opening ceremony on November 1, 2016, and lasted one minute.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Размещение ПТБ на пилонах под крылом J-20

Air International 2018-04 / News by countries

Quite surprisingly, the PLAAF confirmed delivery of J-20 fighters assigned to a front-line unit. However, so far all aircraft shown in images released are from the 66th Brigade.

Air International 2018-02 / News by countries

The J-20A entered PLAAF service in 2017 and there have been reports the indigenous WS-15 engine for the fighter might be tested in flight this year.

Air International 2023-04 / D.Axe - Out of the shadows

The J-20 first flew in 2011. The PLAAF declared the type operational in 2017. Five years later there could be more than a hundred J-20s in squadron service. That makes the J-20 the world’s third-most numerous low-observable fighter after the F-35 and F-22

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Первый истребитель J-20, поступивший на вооружение 1-й авиабригады ВВС НОАК, фото января 2020 г.

Air International 2024-02 / J.Lake - Laying the foundation stone for a cutting-edge superfighter

PLAAF J-20s perform aerobatics during an air show celebrating the 70th anniversary of the PLAAF’s founding, in Changchun, northeast China, in 2019
With China behaving increasingly aggressively, the west will have to rely on cutting-edge technology to counter the vast ranks of the Chinese military in the Pacific and beyond

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

J-20 78232 in an aggressive climb at Zhuhai 2018.

Air International 2021-05 / A.Warnes - Asia's fifth generation face-off

With China’s J-20 fighter prowling the skies, some of its East Asian neighbours are boosting their military with fifth-generation fighters

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

На снимке хорошо видны дифференциально отклоняемые кили самолета J‑20

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Air International 2023-04 / D.Axe - Out of the shadows

An early version Chengdu J-20 wowed the partisan crowd at Zhuhai Airshow in November 2019. As the aircraft turned down the runway through the moist air, vapour trails formed over the wings

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

Upper side of J-20 78233 features a two-tone grey camouflage and light grey edges.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

На снимке хорошо видны отклоненные носки крыла

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Истинное оборудование кабины неизвестно. Все официальные снимки сделаны с ракурса, не позволяющего увидеть приборную доску

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

Silvery coatings are the basis of the People's Liberation Army Air Force J-20 underside camouflage.

Air International 2021-05 / A.Warnes - Asia's fifth generation face-off

There is one fighter regiment of J-20As currently serving the PLAAF at Wuhu in eastern China, but it’s unclear if the logistics are in place for a forward deployment

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

Fast pass by J-20s 78232 and 78233.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Пара J-20 в совместном полете

Air International 2023-04 / D.Axe - Out of the shadows

Two PLAAF J-20s perform at the PLAAF’s open day event in Changchun, Jilin, in northeast China in 2020

Air International 2023-04 / D.Axe - Out of the shadows

“It’s not anything to lose a lot of sleep over,” Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, said of the J-20, “but they seem to be building a lot of them”

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

На этом снимке видны ракеты, выдвинутые из бортовых отсеков

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Створки боковых отсеков вооружения выполнены таким образом, что могут закрываться после выведения ракет в стартовое положение. Это позволяет производить их пуск даже на сверхзвуковой скорости.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

J-20 в полете с открытыми центральными отсеками вооружения
Для обеспечения малой радиолокационной заметности на тяжелых истребителях типа F-22 или J-20 используются достаточно вместительные отсеки вооружения, створки которых открываются непосредственно перед запуском ракет

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

J-20 в полете с открытыми отсеками вооружения

Air International 2023-04 / D.Axe - Out of the shadows

A PLAAF Y-20U aerial tanker refuels a J-20 and a J-16 multirole fighter simultaneously. New Y-20Us are slowly expanding the PLAAF’s modest tanker force

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Xian, Shenyang Y-20 - КитайChina - 2012Сухой Су-30 - РоссияRussia - 1988

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

J-20 производит посадку с тормозным парашютом

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Демонстрация истребителей J-20 на авиасалоне в Чжухае в 2024 г

Авиация и Космонавтика 2020-07 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Авиация и Космонавтика 2018-02 / М.Никольский - "Сухие" для Поднебесной (2)

Тройка самолетов J-16 в одном строю с перспективными истребителями J-20 перед вылетом на воздушный парад в честь для ВВС КНР в 2017г.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Сухой Су-30 - РоссияRussia - 1988

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Вид на кабину одноместного истребителя J-20

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Вид на кабину двухместного истребителя J-20S

Air International 2025-03 / J.Lake - In memory of Chairman Mao

Пролет необычного летательного аппарата в сопровождении двухместного истребителя J-20

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Chengdu J-36 - КитайChina - 2024

Air International 2025-03 / J.Lake - In memory of Chairman Mao

The size of the J-36 is apparent when compared with its J-20S chase aircraft. Although length and span are similar, the J-36 is a much bulkier aircraft

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Chengdu J-36 - КитайChina - 2024

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

J-20B внешне отличается от J-20 увеличенным закабинным гаргротом

Авиация и Космонавтика 2025-03 / М.Никольский - Китайские истребители 5-го поколения

Вид на сопла двигателей WS-10

Air International 2014-04 / A.Rupprecht - China's Mighty Dragon /Military/

A low-quality, but rare, image of a PL-10 missile mounted on a J-20.

Air International 2019-02 / P.Butowski - Claws on show /Military/

Top: A mock-up of the KLJ-7A radar with the antenna installed on a gimbal, which allows it to tilt towards the target.
Bottom: A second mock-up of the KLJ-7A radar with a fixed main forward-looking antenna and two small, side­looking antennas.