Article: China's Newest Stealth Fighter Flies

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A Second J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter prototype spotted at Chengdu

March 31, 2012

Posted by David Cenciotti in Military Aviation.
Tags: 5th generation, Chengdu, China, J20, Stealth aircraft



trackback New images of the Chengdu J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter often appear on the Chinese Internet.

Those published in this post were taken in the last few days at Chengdu airport and uploaded on one of the most interesting Chinese military forums.
It looks like a new prototype (fourth, based on the 2004 code of an image someone thinks may have been photoshopped…) could soon fly along the first one, coded 2001, that has been involved in the testing activities since Jan. 11, 2011.

Here’s the image allegedly showing the J-20 coded 2004.



Hard to say whether it is a fake or not. However, what can be said is that, unless it was given a new color scheme and markings, a new J-20 may really be ready for flight.

Image below shows a partially hidden plane (above), whose star on the tail appears on a slightly different position (a bit higher) than that seen on the prototype coded 2001 seen so far (below).



The following picture shows the new prototype from another perspective.

The code can’t be seen though.


Image credit: Chinese Internet

Related articles

• China’s 5th generation stealth fighter performing combat maneuver tests over Chengdu (theaviationist.com)
• DeMotivational Poster: the future of China’s most advanced stealth fighter. Downed by Lockheed Martin’s 6th generation combat plane (theaviationist.com)

[American Patriot]

Chengdu.... I've been there. Left quickly. LOL

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Chinese media publishes pictures of undertrial stealth fighter Press Trust of India / Beijing May 01, 2012 14:05 IST China today released the first pictures of it's next generation J-20 stealth fighter The under-trial fighter plane named "Blue Ribbon" is regarded as a rival to US stealth fighter F-22 Raptor and Russia's Sukhoi T-50. The plane was test flown early this year during the visit of former US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. According to Chinese defence analysts J-20 possesses advanced air mobility, highlighting the country's technological breakthroughs. Simultaneously China is also conducting advanced trials of its first aircraft carrier. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng told media here last week that previous sea trials have achieved expected results and more research tests will be carried out. As per the previous plans the carrier, hull of which was imported from Ukraine is expected to be ready by August this year. The carrier is capable of carrying 30 Chinese-made J-15 jet fighters and helicopters and will have a crew of around 2,000. PTI KJV SAR AKD SAR

[vector7]

More pictures emerging of the 2nd J-20...

High-resolution photographs of J-20 Mighty Dragons "2001" and "2002"

[American Patriot]

Looks like some folks noticed the photographer in one of those shots.....

[vector7]

China Flies New Stealth Fighter as Problems Plague U.S. Jets

• By David Axe
• Email Author
• May 16, 2012 |
• 2:27 pm |

China's second J-20 stealth fighter. Image: David Cenciotti and fyjs.cn

The second copy of China’s stealth fighter prototype has just flown at a research facility in the city of Chengdu. The first flight of the J-20 Mighty Dragon with the nose number 2002 doubles Beijing’s stealth test fleet at a time when America’s latest jet fighters are hobbled by cost overruns, labor disputes and lethal design flaws. But it’s far from certain how much, and how fast, the new Chinese jet will alter the military balance.

The challenges for American stealth developers are clear. It has come to light that Lockheed’s F-22 Raptor — the first of the current generation of stealth fighters — is steadily poisoning its pilots owing to a faulty oxygen system. Meanwhile, the F-35 has been delayed by several years and the overall cost to design and build thousands of the new jets has risen by hundreds of billions of dollars. To make matters worse, workers at Lockheed’s F-35 factory have gone on strike, with no end in sight.

At first glance, China appears to be making huge progress where the U.S. falters. The twin-engine Mighty Dragon 2002, painted black like its predecessor, made its first appearance in April in photos snapped by Chinese bloggers (who may or may not be on Beijing’s payroll). The second J-20 spent a month or so performing ground tests before launching on its inaugural test sortie sometime in the past few days. If the initial flight of the first Mighty Dragon (nose number 2001) in December 2010 is any indication, 2002′s debut mission amounted to little more than a lap around the Chengdu airfield to test the aircraft’s basic functions and show off for the aforementioned bloggers.

With two airframes to work with, the Chengdu engineers can now double the roughly five-flights-a-month development program apparently aimed at producing a front-line stealth warplane. Before the first Mighty Dragon ever flew, General He Weirong of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force said the J-20 would enter service between 2017 and 2019. Then-U.S.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates countered, saying it would be 2020 or later before China possessed a combat-ready stealth fighter. It’s unclear who’s right — or even what definition of front-line service either man was using.

Certainly, the Mighty Dragon’s engineers have a lot of work ahead of them. For comparison, the development program for the U.S. military’s latest F-35 Joint Strike Fighter includes more than 10,000 test flights spread over 15 years. If China duplicated the American testing profile, it could take decades for the J-20 to complete development.

But China traditionally does not take the same approach to warplane testing that America does. Instead, China follows the Russian model: some basic tests after which small numbers of new jets with rudimentary combat capabilities are handed over to a regular fighter squadron. After a few years of real-world use, engineers build a second batch with improved capabilities, and so on.

In that way China usually builds its aerial arsenal in small increments in parallel with testing. On the upside, new designs can enter service faster than they do in America. The downside is that the new fighters often fly with undetected flaws. The U.S. initially tried that “concurrent” approach with the Lockheed Martin-built F-35, only to scale back early production after testers discovered design flaws costing billions of dollars to fix. The J-20 could encounter the same problem.

Moreover, it seems both J-20s are still flying with Russian-made AL-31 engines rather than motors specifically designed for the J-20′s huge size and apparent weight. China has had so many problems inventing its own jet engines that it has revived imports of Russian models. Finalizing advanced avionics, sensors and weapons could prove equally difficult for the Chengdu developers.

All the same, Mighty Dragon 2002 does appear to be a step towards an early combat capability. It features several apparent improvements over its sister Mighty Dragon 2001, including stockier landing gear and a redesigned nose that could house an ultra-modern electronically scanned radar. If Beijing chooses to build a squadron of J-20s for early front-line use, they could look a lot like jet number 2002.

That said, there are signs China is cooling its stealth-fighter ambitions. Until recently, analysts had predicted the J-20 would be joined by several other brand-new Chinese stealth fighter designs, including one code-named J-16.

But this spring reporters got their first look at the J-16. Turns out it’s a bolt-for-bolt copy of the Russian Su-30, a decidedly non-stealthy design.

That should prove comforting to American warplane developers who are in the throes of parallel crises involving the F-22 and F-35. Which is to say, China’s stealth fighter development is faring no better and no worse than America’s. For every big step forward there are little steps back.

[vector7]

Companion Thread: Iran capture of US spy drone 'would be significant blow to military'

How China's Stealth Aircraft Rose From Ashes of Balkan War

New America Media, News Report, Yoichi Shimatsu, Posted: Jan 25, 2011

EDITOR’S NOTE: Yoichi Shimatsu reported on the anti-stealth air-defense program and the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade for Yazhou Zhoukan (Asia Weekly, Ming Pao Group, Hong Kong) during the NATO Kosovo War of 1999.

HONG KONG—Current flight tests of the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter at a Chengdu aircraft factory are ringing alarm bells inside the Pentagon. Invisible to radar, the high-tech aircraft is upping the ante against the U.S. Navy and Air Force in the Pacific theater.

The takeoff of a Chinese-built stealth aircraft should come as no surprise. It traces its inception to a distant Southern European battlefield more than a decade ago, when the Pentagon and the People's Liberation Army fought the world's first electronic war.

As NATO forces based in Albania launched their invasion to "liberate" Kosovo in May 1999, the U.S. Air Force unleashed over the Yugoslav capital its most sophisticated aircraft—the stealth B-2 Spirit bomber and F-117 Nighthawk fighter. On the second night of the Belgrade bombing campaign, however, things went horribly wrong when a Nighthawk was hit with stunning accuracy.

The downing of the U.S. plane realized the worst fears of the electronic-warfare team at the National Security Agency (NSA), whose deputy director at the time was Gen. Michael Hayden. The most expensive U.S. weapons program in history had an Achilles heel—one that made it vulnerable to, of all things, the lowly TV.

The stealth fighter’s electronic cloaking system and low-reflection profile are invisible to one-way radar signals, but television signals wrap around objects—for example, the corners of buildings. By computer-imaging the patterns of reflected waves with a detection system known as passive coherent localization (PCL), Chinese air-defense experts could easily detect the "bright cherry-red profile" of an incoming stealth plane. The Yugoslav federal army zeroed in on the target with Russian-built Kup missile batteries and a MiG interceptor, as described by the former head of Jane's Defense Weekly.

To prevent further losses of stealth aircraft, the U.S. Air Force bombed a television station in Nis and Radio Television Serbia (RTS) headquarters in Belgrade. Cruise missiles exploded strands of carbon fiber over electric power lines to prevent their use as TV signal receivers. (At the time, I referred to the anti-stealth air-defense strategy as "McLuhan's War," after the media theorist Marshall McLuhan, who had decades earlier suggested that television news feeds were undermining public support for the Vietnam conflict and creating a global village.)

The Yugoslav military retrieved television transmitters from the bombed-out RTS tower and delivered them to the Chinese Embassy, which immediately began broadcasting late-night Chinese movies. The foreign diplomats had a good alibi, since some 6,000 illegal migrants from China heading for Western Europe were stranded in Yugoslavia and had no other entertainment.

The pilot of the F-117 parachuted, took evasive action and was retrieved by a NATO helicopter, but the aircraft was disassembled by local farmers and the critical parts auctioned. The Russians took the external radar-absorbing coating material, while the Chinese military attaché obtained the internal electronic cloaking system. Air Force One contains similar technology, a hot-wired cocoon of copper filament spun inside its skin, which renders it invisible to radar-guided missiles. Also included in the package were some angular exhaust vents that suppress the jet's heat signature. A commercial cargo plane from Hong Kong was spotted by satellite picking up large crates at Belgrade Airport.

Americans may be tempted to conclude that the Chinese stole or pirated the stealth ware, but the fact is that the technology was captured from invaders as a fair prize of war.

Just days after the F-117 downing, Pentagon officials gave a stern warning to China's Foreign Ministry to return the stealth parts or face dire consequences within two weeks, according to European military officers interviewed by Jens Holsoe, Kosovo correspondent for the Danish newspaper Politiken. The Chinese diplomats were speechless and clueless, since electronic warfare was run by the People's Liberation Army and classified top secret.

Around midnight of May 7-8, 1999, the Pentagon threat came due. A joint special forces team of British and Kosovar commandos pointed laser beams at the rear wall of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. Five smart bombs, delivered by a high-flying B-2 bomber, struck the PLA defense attache's basement office with pinpoint precision. The commandos entered the compound pointing flashlights and a video camera "as if searching for something,” according to neighbors interviewed by Japanese intelligence agents posted in Belgrade. Earlier that week, the Yugoslav capital was swirling with rumors that President Slobodan Milosevic was residing as guest inside the Chinese Embassy. Instead, two young journalists from Guangming Daily, moonlighting as translators of Serbian, were killed in the blasts. After several minutes, the raiders ran from the site just before flames erupted out of the basement.

Within minutes, an American officer posted at the NATO signals-intelligence base in Vincenza, Italy, startled his European colleagues by shouting, "We got the bastards!" From his joyous outburst and their maps, the Europeans knew immediately that the embassy attack was premeditated. But just before the daily 10 a.m. press conference in Brussels, a correspondent for an American newsmagazine overheard a junior officer suggesting to the NATO press spokesman that the bombing was an "accident due to an out-of-date map."

Following up on this claim from Hong Kong, where I was then a reporter, I phoned the CIA-Pentagon mapmaking agency, whose staffer explained that the map aboard the B-2 was correct to within minutes of the raid and that the highly professional cartographers were unjustly forced to take the blame by "more powerful agencies." By then, thousands of enraged Chinese civilians were hurling stones at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, while indoors, by a fireplace, the U.S. ambassador hurriedly burned documents on American spy activities in China.

In the words of a National Intelligence Council veteran, a "civil war" was breaking out between the White House and State Department on one hand, and the Pentagon and the CIA on the other. Prior to authorizing the bombing, President Bill Clinton had been led to believe that the target was the base of a Serbian militia unit that was conducting ethnic cleansing and not a diplomatic compound. Despite the high-level deception and blatant violation of international law, Hayden, the U.S Air Force general in charge of electronic warfare operations went on to become the director of the NSA and the CIA.

While the corporate media repeated the false mantra of an "accidental bombing,” the myth of the invincibility of American military technology was shattered.

Thus the true story of a downed American Nighthawk was incinerated in the flames of a Chinese embassy in Southern Europe. Yet now, like a phoenix rising from its ashes, the mysterious bird is reborn in China, spreading its dark wings to soar over the moonlit Pacific.

[vector7]

Questions Abound as China Unveils Another Stealth Jet

• By David Axe
• September 16, 2012 |
• 3:58 am |

Shenyang J-21. Photo: via China Defense Blog

Here we go again.

Twenty-one months after China’s Chengdu aerospace firm unveiled its J-20 jet fighter prototype — Beijing’s first stealth warplane — the rival Shenyang company has revealed what appears to be a competing, radar-evading plane.
Over the weekend photos of increasing resolution leaked online depicting a previously unknown, black-painted warplane with the distinctive qualities of a stealth design. Perhaps it’s only a coincidence that the stealth jet was revealed right before U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta was due to arrive in China. But the Beijing government is known to use these online leaks to show off its military advancements.

So China now possesses two potentially combat-capable stealth jets. But — and we can’t emphasize this enough — it’s not at all certain that either will make it through development, testing and full-scale production and into front-line service. Just ask the U.S. Air Force, which since the 1980s has overseen creation of no fewer than four different stealth fighter prototypes, but so far has only managed to equip just six war-ready squadrons with fewer than 200 operational jets. And at an extremely high price: up to $700 million per plane, depending on how you count.

The J-21 that appeared this weekend is outwardly similar to the nearly two-year-old J-20. Both have two engines, two tails, big trapezoidal wings and the sharp, faceted features of a radar-evading plane. In that sense the J-21 and the J-20 evoke America’s first batch of stealth prototypes, the twin-tail, twin-engine Lockheed YF-22 and Northrop YF-23.

Those two planes flew head-to-head in 1991, vying for an Air Force construction contract. The YF-22 won and, 14 years, a major redesign and some $70-billion later, entered service as the F-22 Raptor. Ten years later the Pentagon ran a second competition pitting the Boeing X-32 versus Lockheed’s X-35 — both single-engine stealth designs. Again, Lockheed won, and is today developing the F-35 into a combat-ready warplane, though painfully slowly.

It’s unclear whether Beijing intends to compete the J-20 against the J-21 for a single acquisition program. It’s equally possible both jets are meant for production. It’s also conceivable that neither is — that they’re both strictly test vehicles. “Feng,” an analyst writing for Information Dissemination, believes Beijing can only afford to manufacture one of the new planes and will be forced to choose. But that’s conjecture. As with any Chinese weapons initiative, among outsiders there are more questions than answers.

For example, just how stealthy is the J-21 — and for that matter, the slightly older J-20? Both share the general shape of the U.S. F-22. But American stealth design relies on more than shape. Special radar-absorbing materials, sophisticated heat-absorption systems, “silent” electronic gear plus extreme high speed and altitude performance all combine to give the F-22 its so-far unique ability to evade enemy defenses. It’s hard to say whether China has mastered, or even attempted, those techniques.

Moreover, if the airplane revealed this weekend is the new J-21, then what exactly is the partially-disassembled, shrink-wrapped airplane photographed being trucked through Chinese cities back in June?

When that plane first appeared, some observers thought it was the J-21 being shipped in pieces to an airfield for assembly and testing. But the differences between it and Shenyang’s new prototype are too big and numerous for the two to be directly related.

Whatever the June jet is, it remains mostly unseen and, to outsiders, entirely unknown.

In other words, China has just pulled the cover off its second type of stealth fighter. But it may already have a third in the works. And it’s even possible one or more of them will eventually evolve into a useful front-line warplane.

[vector7]

Is China’s New Stealth Fighter Headed to Sea?

• By David Axe
• September 17, 2012 |
• 5:00 pm |

The U.S. knows very little about China’s newest stealth fighter prototype, the Shenyang J-21. But the just-released photographs of the Chinese jet reveal it to have a barely noticeable but key detail — one that suggests the jet might be hauled by China’s future fleet of aircraft carriers.

The J-21, according to the three photos of it circulating on the Internet, has twin nose wheels. That’s the kind of tough landing gear usually associated with naval fighters optimized for launching and landing on the heaving decks of aircraft carriers at sea. Could the J-21 be a tool of Chinese naval power?

Just two days after the J-21 — or J-31, as some observers think it’s designated — made its blurry Internet debut at a factory airfield in northeastern China, there are far more questions than answers about the new airplane’s origins, characteristics and purpose.

How stealthy is it — and how far along in its development? Is the J-21 a copy of the U.S. F-35 based on blueprints stolen by Chinese hackers, as some China-watchers contend? Is the new plane meant to compete with, or complement, the larger Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter prototype that debuted 21 months ago? And was the J-21′s first appearance timed to send a forceful message to U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is China on his first visit as Pentagon chief?

We don’t know. But the nose wheels seem to indicate that the J-21 is at least theoretically capable of flying from the Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier. Many carrier planes — including the American F-35C and F/A-18E/F, the Russian Su-33 and China’s related J-15 — all have the distinctive twin wheels, whereas most strictly land-based jets have only a single wheel up front. The reason is simple: carrier planes land harder on their comparatively tiny, seagoing airstrips, and thus require more robust landing gear able to distribute the force of impact.

To be fair, China’s carrier Liaoning has spent the last 15 months on sea trials around its home port of Dalian in the country’s northeast, and has yet to launch or land a fixed-wing plane. When that important milestone might take place is anyone’s guess. Working up a safe and effective carrier and seagoing air wing is hard. “Simply having a ship is only the beginning to effective carrier operations,” The Atlantic‘s James Fallows pointed out.

But Beijing is working to get its carrier planes ready. The J-15, an upgraded Chinese copy of Russia’s Cold War-vintage Su-33 carrier fighter, has been flying since 2009. And in August a J-15 was apparently craned aboard Liaoning for deck-handling tests. China is also developing what looks like a copy of the U.S. E-2C carrier-borne radar plane, though it’s not clear the Chinese model can launch from a ship’s deck.

A naval J-21 could complement this evolving mix of carrier-based warplanes, providing the same stealthy backup that the F-35 is meant to offer to non-radar-evading F-18s in the future U.S. Navy air wing.
But that’s assuming a lot. Until we see a J-21 launching from Liaoning‘s deck, we can only wonder about those twin nose wheels, and speculate about the new fighter’s possible maritime destiny.

[Ryan Ruck]

China's Newest Stealth Fighter Flies

October 31, 2012



If these pictures are real, then China has flown two new types of stealth fighters in less than two years. You're looking at what's supposedly the newly unveiled Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's J-31 jet flying in the skies over China on Oct. 31.

Chinese military blogs claim these extremely grainy photos (above and below) show the jet taking a 10-minute test flight accompanied by a J-11 fighter (a reverse engineered version of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27).

The first photos of the Shenyang J-31 emerged on the Chinese Internet forums last month.

It should be noted that unlike China's first stealth jet, the Chengdu J-20, we have not seen many photos of the J-31 sitting on the ground or conducting high speed taxi runs in the lead up to a flight test. The J-20 was revealed by amateur plane spotters allowed to sit just outside the airbase where it was being tested, who took dozens, if not hundreds, of decent-quality photos of the jet. Only a few, mostly grainy, photos of the J-31 have emerged so far.

Some speculate that the J-31 could play the role of a light strike or carrier-based fighter to compliment the much larger J-20, which is speculated to be either a high-speed interceptor like the Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat or a stealthy tactical bomber designed to take out enemy bases and ships.

Earlier this year, the Internet was rife with speculation that China would unveil a new stealth fighter after photos appeared online showing a mystery jet covered in a tarp being transported on China's highways. The silhouette of the mystery plane roughly matched the contours of a model jet -- strongly resembling the U.S.-made F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) -- that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation displayed at an air show several years ago. That model appears to have evolved into the J-31.

While there is no proof that China's latest stealth fighter stole design specifications from American stealth fighter projects, the rear portions of aircraft blatantly copy the design of Lockheed Martin's F-22 while forward sections of the jet look an awful lot like an F-35. Keep in mind that the F-35 program suffered a large cyber intrusion several years ago where loads of data about the aircraft were stolen from the contractors working on it -- an incident that may have contributed to redesigns that have helped drive up costs and delay the fielding of the F-35. (In September, a senior JSF official revealed that the jet's computer-based maintenance system that will contain a host of critical data about the plane needed to be revised to prevent it from being hacked by spies.)

Still, as Killer Apps has pointed out before, having a stealthy shape does not mean the Chinese planes are truly stealth planes. Modern stealth aircraft feature new radar absorbent coatings, along with technology that masks their heat signatures and electronics that cannot be detected when in use. It remains to be seen just what capabilities China's new crop of stealth jets will feature.

[vector7]

Translations Interpress, Aviation
Preliminary evaluation of the prototype low-profile Chinese fighter Chengdu J-XX [J-20]

July 27, 2012 | Views: 14028 | Print |



Preliminary evaluation of the prototype low-profile Chinese fighter Chengdu J-XX [J-20]

The first flight of the prototype Chengdu J-XX [J-20], 11 January 2011. Note the flat shape and the lower part of the fuselage, optimized to reduce the visibility. Nozzle connections and include sawtooth edge (source Chinese Internet).

Introduction
In late December of 2010 in a number of Chinese Internet sites have appeared showing what is claimed the new stealthy fighter China.


Had not yet received any official Chinese statements, so many of the common plane of the allegations in the media could only be speculation presented as fact.

The aircraft could be technology demonstrator or prototype mass fighter. The latter, however, was the most likely, given the statement by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA Air Force, General Aviation Hi Veironga made in November of 2009, the plans for making the aircraft armament between the 2017th and 2019th years.

The following is only a preliminary estimate, subject to further review. Edition of APA will produce a comprehensive assessment of the future, as soon as they are available technical information and detailed analysis.

Preliminary evaluation of the prototype low-profile Chinese fighter Chengdu J-XX [J-20]



Prototype Chengdu, in December 2010 (source Chinese Internet).


Technical comments on the design of the prototype

J-XX/J-20 is a heavy fighter, comparable in size to the F-111. The first sample has a large delta wing in a "duck" with a positive angle of the cross-RE, with a pair of tilted out / back swivel vertical / horizontal tail and a pair of similar large rotary cut front flap, which if left on production aircraft, along with a tail will provide highly advanced aircraft capabilities in handling and maneuverability. There is no doubt that such a configuration is designed to provide good stability on the supersonic regime with a suitable type of engine, and will provide good maneuvering characteristics at transonic and supersonic regimes.

No doubt the stealth form is much better than the Russian prototype T-50 PAK FA and the more better than Launches F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Construction J-XX/J-20 apparently was largely based on the rules of formation of stealth F-22A Raptor:

The nose section and shape J-XX/J-20 Chinese lantern similar in appearance to the F-22, providing a similar signature already proven design.

Trapezoidal edge J-XX/J-20 engine air intakes similar to F-22, even though seem larger and resemble the style DSI (Diverterless Supersonic Inlet) F-35, apparently to reduce the visibility of edges intakes style F-22.

Crucial to the stealth shape of the wings to the fuselage attachment J-XX/J-20 very similar to the F-22, and is clearly superior to the Russian prototype T-50 PAK FA and American fighter F -35 Joint Strike.

Flat lower fuselage J-XX/J-20 is optimal for all aspects of broadband invisibility and closely mimics the design of the F-22.

Wing shape in terms J-XX/J-20 shows accurate angular alignment between the front edge of the horizontal stabilizer and pepedney kpomkoy wing and crossed the precise angular alignment of the region between the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear wing kpomkoy. Sweep of the leading edge is about 43 °, which is clearly designed for efficient supersonic flight.

When creating a bow and main gear doors J-XX/J-20 used optimized for X-band notched edge technology, based on the design of F-117A and F-22.

After part of the fuselage, tail boom, stabilizers / edges, asymmetric nozzles that are not compatible with an effective subtle, but can only serve as an interim solution to accelerate the flight tests of the prototype.

The configuration of the airframe and aft fuselage shape the style of the nozzle with variable thrust vectoring F-22A or rectangular nozzle designed for controlled model infrared and radio-frequency stealth.

Configuration is compatible with the airframe podfizyulyazhnym, arch and placement of weapons in the inner compartments and is large enough to fit or to some extent exceed the internal payload of F-22A Raptor.

The volume of fuel is placed inside the aircraft can also be high given the configuration of the fuselage and the large internal volume of the delta wing. This demonstrates the intention to provide opportunities for sustainable supersonic cruise flight.

The Chinese did not disclose the type of engine. It is believed that using Russian supersonic 117S series engines, but with the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft, they probably will not be enough to use the full potential of this modern glider.

Set of internal sensors is unknown. China has not yet demonstrated the AESA radar and advanced positioning system emitting RES. However, they may be available at the time of receipt of the airframe production. Compliant with Russian equipment is currently under development and / or testing.




Heavy Fighter J-XX/J-20 similar in size to the F-111 (Chinese Internet source).



Preliminary evaluation of the prototype low-profile Chinese fighter Chengdu J-XX [J-20]

(U.S. DoD)





Above and below the histogram of distances between the PLA air bases along the east coast of mainland China and the U.S. Kadena Air Base on Okinawa and Andersen Air Base on Guam. Fighter J-XX/J-20 can jeopardize both the base.





Radius combat use without refueling for fighter size and weight class FB-111A based on a number of assumptions is usually from 1,000 to 1,500 nautical miles. This map shows the geographical coverage attainable from air bases Anshan, Dachang and Foluo Northeast with a combat radius of 1,000 and 1,500 nautical miles, respectively. Azimuthal equidistant projection centered at the airbase Dachang.


General conclusions

J-XX/J-20 size airframe and obvious emphasis on supersonic indicates at least the intention to create a long-range interceptor capable of acting up to the second island chain (including the Philippines, and Guam). Most likely, the production version will include features J-XX/J-20 refueling to further expand the radius of combat use.

Inconspicuous, supersonic cruise, long range Chinese Air Force will provide the opportunity to enter into an integrated air defense system, destroy the E-3 AWACS, RC-135V / W Rivet Joint, more intelligence and surveillance systems, and most importantly air tankers the Air Force and Navy. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, this in turn significantly complicate, if not derail air operations from Andersen Air Base and block base beyond the ridge Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Korean peninsula.

Any statements that fighters F-35 Joint Strike Fighter or F/A-18E/F Super Hornet will be able to compete in aerial combat with the Chinese Chengdu, to say nothing of their penetration into the airspace protected by the fighter would be simply absurd. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, along with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aerodynamically and kinematically quite inferior submitted J-XX/J-20, and its shape can effectively neutralize the benefits of any sensors of successful prevention of early Russian and Chinese versions of the fighter .

Mixed-use and the number of scheduled aircraft

J-XX/J-20 can be used as an attack aircraft class F-111 and Su-34 that will be equipped with guided bombs, such as Luoyang / CASC LT-3 Laser / Satellite Aided Inertially Guided Bomb, FT-1, FT -2, FT-3, FT-4, FT-5 and LS-6. This Chinese counterparts in the U.S. JDAM, some of which are equipped with additional wings on the model of JDAM-ER.

Completed J-XX/J-20 with full combat capabilities will direct ekvivalentntami multipurpose FB-22A, as championed by Dr. James G. Roche (James G. Roche) during his tenure as minister of the U.S. Air Force until 2005 year.

Chinese Air Force has not yet sounded the planned production volume. The stated initial operational capabilities J-XX/J-20 directly linked with the write-off of which are currently in service with the second series of the Su-27SK and Su-first series 30MKK. Thus, if we assume that J-XX/J-20 intended to replace the Su-27SK, and then Sioux 30MKK the figure of 400-500 aircraft is acceptable.



Guided bombs LS-6 caliber 250 and 125 pounds provided in Zhuhai in 2010 to the year which is a direct analogue of the American bomblets GBU-39 / B, is now integrated on the F-22A Raptor.



Flight of the first prototype of January 11, 2011 of the year

[vector7]

Russian Officials Reveal J-31 Engine and Describe Sales to China

AIN Defense Perspective » November 23, 2012
by Vladimir Karnozov




The second Chinese stealth fighter was displayed in model form at Airshow China last week

November 23, 2012, 8:00 AM

China’s recently flown second stealth fighter is powered by a pair of Russian-supplied Klimov RD-93 turbofans, AIN has learned. A large model of the design, which has been dubbed the J-31 in unofficial reports, was on display at Airshow China in Zhuhai last week, labeled as “an advanced multi-role fighter for the international defense market.” Russian officials at the show described the supply of military turbofans to China in some detail.

Speculation that the new fighter uses Russian powerplants was confirmed by Vladimir Barkovsky, deputy general director of the Russian Aircraft Corp. “MIG” and head of its engineering center named after Artyem Mikoyan. Although he mentioned certain design flaws, Barkovsky gave a generally positive general assessment for the new Avic fighter design. “It looks like a good machine, and although it obviously has some design solutions already tried on the U.S. fifth-generation fighters, it is not a copy but a well done indigenous design,” he told AIN.

Barkovsky expressed regrets over the Russian MoD’s decision not to develop a next-generation lightweight fighter, saying that it may lead to Russia losing out in this distinct market segment. RAC MiG’s most recent MiG-29M2 and its exportable derivative the MiG-35D, belong to the 4++ generation, he explained. Barkovsky further said that the Chinese fighter manufacturers have achieved notable progress with durability and reparability of their products. They have also improved their after-sales support system, which was deplorable a few years ago, he added.

Sergei Kornev, head of the aviation department of Rosonboronexport, told journalists at Airshow China 2012 that, with help from Belarussian advisors and specialized companies, the Chinese fighter manufacturers have managed to create a workable system of after-sales support. For its part, he continued, Russia has sold to China the documentation on overhaul and lifecycle support of the AL-31F series engines and helped it establish a well functioning system for keeping them serviceable.

Kornev added that during the next meeting of the Sino-Russian interstate committee for military-technical cooperation, which opened on November 21, Moscow and Beijing are expected to sign a number of agreements relating to intellectual property rights. Kornev said that this should further ease the transfer of Russian knowledge and expertise in the sphere of combat aviation and its after-sales support.

Engines account for more than 90 percent of all Russian aerospace exports to China. “In the past two years, we have signed large contracts with China for several hundred additional engines of the AL-31F, AL-31FN and D-30KP2 types.

Shipments are now ongoing,” Kornev said. The D-30KP2 powers the Ilyushin Il-76 transport, while the AL-31 family powers the Su-27/30/34 series of combat aircraft, and the Chinese J-11 derivative. In addition, Russia has delivered improved performance AL-31FN Series 3 and later turbofans for China’s indigenous J-10 fighter.

Asked whether Russia has assisted China in its development of the WS-10A Tai Hang engine that is broadly similar to the AL-31F, Kornev answered that Russian specialists have not been briefed on this design and that Russia has never delivered AL-31F design documentation to China. Regarding the RD-93, which China mainly uses to power the JF-17 (FC-1) fighter, Kornev said that Russia has completed deliveries of 100 of the engine under a framework agreement for 500. Negotiations on the next batch are ongoing. “All juridical formalities regarding new sales are agreed upon; our negotiations are purely about commercial aspects, including price,” he insisted.

[vector7]

And Russia is supplying the engines...they're sharing technology.

How long before they're penetrating US airspace?

J-31 stealth fighter may be deployed to PLA aircraft carriers

• Staff Reporter
• 2012-12-12
• 15:58 (GMT+8)

A Chinese J-31 stealth fighter (Internet photo)

China's fifth-generation J-31 stealth fighter has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, US-based magazine Jane's Defense Weekly reported on Dec. 5.

Before the J-31's first test flight, the aircraft's designer Shenyang Aircraft Corporation demonstrated a remote controlled airplane with similar vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, foreshadowing what was to come. Yet this important event was overlooked by most observers as merely a demonstration demonstration of a model aircraft.

When images of an airborne J-31 were released military watchers were left flat-footed as they realized touted advancements in China's military prowess were not exaggerated as they had assumed. Jane's Defense Weekly said the model aircraft demonstration had actually revealed several of the J-31's potential capabilities.

Working from officially published images, the magazine remarked the Chinese engineers had developed the fighter taking cues from the American F-35 and Russian Yak-141 designs. Though the appearance of the J-31 is closer to the F-35, its engine design is more akin to the Russian Yak-141. Rumors suggest the Russian Yakovlev Aircraft Corporation sold the Yak-141 engine to China sometime early last decade. Through acquiring the Russian technology, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group developed the J-20, the country's first stealth fighter, while Shenyang Aircraft Corporation developed the J-31.

While the larger J-20 is reckoned to be geared toward ground attack missions, the J-31 will likely serve as its cover. Other analysts suggest the J-31 may begin service aboard PLA Navy aircraft carriers; if not the Liaoning, its first, then aboard subsequent vessels developed domestically. A report from Moscow's Military-Industrial Courier said funding for the development of the J-31 was provided by the PLA Navy directly.

Following the J-15 fighter, which just completed landing and takeoff exercises aboard the Liaoning, the J-31 may be its successor. In any event, any J-31 fighters entering service PLA Navy service is still some way off.

The Military-Industrial Courier said that the PLA was more comfortable with demonstrating a model of the J-31 than the J-20 during the Zhuhai Airshow in November. Jane's Defense Weekly commented that competition between the two Chinese aerospace manufacturers will encourage development in the industry.

[vector7]

Pic of the day: Close up of China's J-31 stealth fighter

Posted By John Reed Monday, April 8, 2013 - 5:29 PM Share



Happy Monday. We're celebrating the nicest day of 2013 so far in Washington by showing you the most high-res photo of China's J-31 stealth fighter we've ever seen.

The J-31 is China's second, smaller stealth fighter after its J-20. The J-31 strongly resembles a cross between Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor and its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Some speculate that the J-31 is being built as a smaller attack jet meant to compliment the large J-20 -- a plane that may be a high-speed interceptor meant to keep enemy planes far from China's shores. Others think the J-31 could be China's attempt to build a carrier-based stealth fighter given its small size and dual-wheeled nose landing gear.

Though, as you can see in this photo, Chinese engineers clearly have yet to add a tail hook to the jet.

Despite the close-up nature of this shot, we still can't make out the outlines of the J-31's weapons bays. Though we do notice a pair of what look like rather unstealthy, circular running lights on the bottom of the wingtips.

Enjoy, and get out of the office already if you live in DC.

[vector7]

China's Fourth Generation Falcon Hawk Fighter Faces Intensive Flight Tests

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Friday, August 30, 2013 @ 02:31 PM

Views : 34 A- A A+



China's fourth-generation stealth fighter, the J-31 "Falcon Hawk", has carried out more than three sets of trial flights since August at a rapidly increasing frequency, according to the People's Daily Online.

Although similar to the fourth-generation stealth F-35 fighter, the J-31's overall aerodynamic design and stealth appearance is not so identical with J-20, which has a higher degree of exposure.

Earlier reports indicate that the J-31 is equipped with twin Russian RD-93 engines - news that has been confirmed by Russia's MiG Aircraft Corporation. The "Fierce Dragon" light fighter developed jointly by China and Pakistan is also equipped with this model of engine.

Judged against the specifications of fourth-generation aircraft, the RD-93 engine seems somewhat old, but during prototype testing the use of a stable engine with mature technology is the safest approach.

Sources point out that once in service, the J-31 will hopefully carry our self-developed WS-13 engine, which has significantly improved performance in comparison with the RD-93.

[vector7]

Latest J-20 (2011) Prototype

February 28 2014 at 8:11 PM














More and more close to get into service. Perfect killer of f35 and f15






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[Ryan Ruck]

More and more close to get into service. Perfect killer of f35 and f15

Hmmm, not so sure about that assertion from the author.

Fact is, that thing is a big bitch. It's just not going to have the maneuverability to dance with the -35 or even the -15. It may be able to perform some air-to-air roles but it isn't a dogfighter. It will likely do better as a strike aircraft like the F-111 or F-15E.

[Ryan Ruck]

China Unveils More Capable Stealth Fighter Prototype

March 19, 2014


An image of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force J-20 new stealth fighter prototype.

China’s stealth fighter program hit a milestone when a sophisticated prototype of its J-20 aircraft made its first flight earlier this month. J-20’s builder, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), appears to have spent significant effort in giving the new prototype—No. 2011—stealth from different angles, a more maneuverable airframe, and fitting it with a complete set of avionics.

CAC spent a lot of time testing two previous prototypes—Nos. 2001 and 2002—before making the changes to the new version.

The first two prototypes basically were the technology demonstrators for this project, whereas No. 2011 should be looked at as the first pre-production prototype.

Studying the following photos from Chinese online forums, there are numerous subtle changes from Nos. 2001/2002 to No. 2011

The comparison pictures show improved workmanship, moving from a demonstrator to prototype.


Changes between prototypes of China’s stealth fighter prototypes.

The most obvious change is the F-22-style light grey color scheme that makes it easier to identify changes.

Comparing the side views, it appears the intakes have been redesigned to be a little more slender with a more protruding (and possibly larger) bump.

The leading part of the intake is also slanted inward a little bit to conform better with the body. The back corners of the canard have been clipped and inner edge has been cut in a way so as to not leave any gap with the intake.

The back corners of vertical tail fins have also been clipped. According to a Chinese research paper, that seems to reduce the radar signature from side angles.

The front and rear landing gear doors also have been modified and the wing actuators are flatter.

Comparing the bottom views, the main weapon bay seems larger, allowing it to hold more than just air-to-air missiles and precision guided munitions. The leading edge is now straight rather than curved.

The tail booms are longer and wider, while more parallel to the exhaust. The ventral fins look a little larger and now completely shield the exhaust from most of the side views.

It looks like unless an aircraft is directly trailing the J-20, the radar signature from the exhaust should be much lower than before.

There also appears to be a fairly comprehensive set of avionics on board. No. 2002 is believed to have been installed with and testing AESA radar.

Based on frontal view comparisons, the nose of No. 2011 may be slanted at a slightly smaller angle to better fit the intended radar.


Differences between China’s stealth fighter prototypes.

A new electro-optical tracker similar to the F-35′s Electro-Optical Targeting System has been installed on the chin of the J-20.

Also included are defensive avionics systems with panes and bumps installed on both sides of the nose, the intake, and tail.

While the interior of the cockpit cannot be seen, it’s apparent that a new type of holographic heads-up display (HUD) has been installed and that the canopy has been modified with an inner-canopy frame.

A new generation of integrated electronic systems already has been tested out in the J-10B project, which should be very helpful to the J-20 project.

Focusing on radar, J-10B will be installed with a first-generation AESA radar and the Shenyang J-16 will be installed with an 1.5 generation AESA radar. By the time J-20 comes into service, it will be installed with a second-generation AESA radar.

China’s improvement in radar technology, the appearance of various external avionics installation and work done in the Chengdu J-10B project point to a modern integrated electronics system.


An image of China’s newest stealth fighter prototype.

The new prototype represents a vast improvement over Nos. 2001/2002 in stealth, maneuverability and avionics. Based on the timeline of other People’s Liberation Army Air Force projects, one expects the serial production of J-20 to start around 2019, with the first operational unit forming around that time.

The one big question mark for the J-20 is the WS-15 engine, which currently is still in development. It’s unclear whether or not that engine will be available once serial production starts.

[vector7]

J-31 could replace J-15 as China's new carrier-based fighter

• Staff Reporter
• 2014-06-10
• 17:52 (GMT+8)

Concept art depicting the J-31 landing on a carrier deck. (Internet photo)

China has been researching the possibility of adapting the J-31, the country's second stealth fighter currently under development by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, to become a carrier-based fighter, according to the Kanwa Defense Review, operated by Andrei Chang also known as Pinkov, a military analyst based in Canada.

The report states that the J-31 is being designed for two potential markets. First, it can become the People's Liberation Army Air Force's fifth-generation twin-engine, mid-size multirole fighter with similar capabilities to the F-35A of the United States Air Force. It can also become a carrier-based fighter to serve on board the Liaoning or other carriers China might possess in the future. The idea of exporting the fighter to other nations is also being reviewed, the report said.

A source from the aircraft corporation told the magazine that the J-31 is in fact a better aircraft than the J-20, the country's first stealth fighter. Therefore, the potential for the J-31 to serve as a replacement for the J-15, the PLA Navy's current carrier-based fighter, is being looked at seriously, according to the source. With enough experience in designing folding wings for carrier-based fighters, the source said it would not be too hard for the corporation to redesign the J-31.

As the J-20 is too large to serve as a carrier-based fighter, it is not just possible that the J-31 will replace the J-15 but it is the only choice the PLA Navy really has, the source said. Like other Chinese fighters, the J-31 relies too much on the Russian-built RD-33 engine, however, the source said that the engine may not be a problem as China and Russia have become closer as security partners.


Is The Pentagon Worried About China’s J-20 And J-31 Stealth Fighters?

Source : Our Bureau ~ Dated : Thursday, June 19, 2014 @ 08:45 AM

Views : 2073 A- A A+


Is the Pentagon Worried about the China’s J-20 and J-31 Stealth Fighters?

As the F-35 fighter continues to grapple with cost overruns and technical issues concerning F-35 fighter jets, the spotlight falls on the Chinese J-20 and J-31 stealth aircraft, which may emerge as a low cost alternative to America’s most expensive military plane.

“Pentagon officials continue to compare DOD’s progress (on the F-35) with that of the Chinese J-20 and J-31 stealth aircraft and their other capabilities”, a US Department of Defense release issued on June 13, 2014 said.

According to Frank Kendall, US undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, he commissioned the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for its air dominance initiative a year ago. The program, he said, helps the Pentagon assess whether or not to take a “system of systems” approach in aircraft improvements and better analyze how those systems network together.

Kendall hinted about competitors and the need to stay ahead of them in a recent news release pertaining to reducing the F-35 costs.

“We need to start thinking now about the requirements for the next blocks of software, after the things that are currently in Block 4,” Kendall said. “This is a game that never ends. You have to stay ahead, and there are competitors out there you have to worry about.”

Meanwhile, the Chinese J-31 continues flight testing at a Shenyang Aircraft Corporation research facility in northern China, according to reports. With a length of about 17 meters and an 11.5m wingspan, the J-31 is about the size of the F-35 Lightning II and smaller than the F-22, J-20 and PAK-FA.
In 2012, a model of the J-31 was displayed at the Zhuhai 2012 Airshow, a clear indication that China hopes to export the aircraft as an alternate option to the F-35.

Pakistan, which has emerged as major customer of China may well be the first export customer for the J-31 which will also serve aboard future Chinese aircraft carriers.

China is actively cultivating countries in Africa, Asia and South America as potential customers of its military hardware.

The J-20 made its first flight earlier in March marking a major milestone for the Chinese stealth aircraft program. Resembling the F-22 raptor, the J-20 has used Russian-made AL-31F and Chinese WS-10 engines. A new, purpose-built engine for the J-20 is reportedly in development.

The aircraft features a glass cockpit, with two main large color liquid crystal displays (LCD) situated side-by-side and three smaller auxiliary displays, and a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD).

China has accelerated the development of its two stealth aircraft projects, the J-20 “Mighty Dragon” made by the Chengdu Aircraft Company (CAC) and the J-31 “Falcon Eagle” made by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-31 Falcon Eagle. Western media claims that both the Chinese stealth fighters bear a “suspicious resemblance” to the US F-22 and F-35 projects leading to accusations of design theft.

[Ryan Ruck]

U.S. Pilots Say New Chinese Stealth Fighter Could Become Equal of F-22, F-35

November 5, 2014

China’s new Shenyang J-31 stealth fighter — making its debut next week at the Zhuhai international airshow — could eventually become more than a match for American stealth fighters in battle, several U.S. military and industry officials told USNI News.

The J-31 is China’s latest crack at developing a modern so-called fifth-generation stealth fighter — equivalent in ability to Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor or F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter.

“They’re still in the glossy brochure phase of development, so they still look ten feet tall and bulletproof,” one senior U.S. fighter pilot familiar with the F-35 program told USNI News.

“I think they’ll eventually be on par with our fifth gen jets — as they should be, because industrial espionage is alive and well.”

Many suspect the J-31 is designed using technology stolen from the Pentagon’s nearly $400 billion Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

“They sure look like F-35 and F-22s don’t they?” one Air Force operational test pilot told USNI News.

The senior U.S. pilot familiar with the F-35 — who has extensive experience flying the Lockheed Martin F-16 Falcon — told USNI News the Chinese jet is now likely more than match for existing fourth generation non stealth American fighters like the Air Force Falcons, Boeing F-15 Eagles and the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

“They’ll probably be a handful right off the bat for all of our fourth gen stuff,” the pilot said.

One former Air Force fighter pilot extensive experience with foreign hardware told USNI News potential air battles might be more about sheer number of jets the Chinese might be able to put into the air versus the superior training of U.S. pilots.

“I worry about numbers more than particular platforms,” the former fighter pilot said.

“I imagine their jets and their weapons are pretty good. Don’t know about the pilots or their capacity to employ.”

Further, the retired pilot noted, airshows are designed to show off weapons to potential buyers, but offer no real information about what jet can really do during an actual combat mission.

“Just remember that airshows are exactly that — airshows.” the former pilot said. “Airshows provide no real clue to capabilities. As such, airshows generally rely on spectacular maneuvers to garner attention without providing substance. No different from the F-15C or the F-22.”

One current Air Force test pilot told USNI News that it would be difficult to gauge just how good the Chinese jet will be.

“Overall at this stage they’re not [operational] so it’s hard, for anyone to truly make a reasonable assessment,” the test pilot said.

There are still many unanswered questions about how the Chinese will operate their aircraft and what kinds of weapons the jets will carry. Perhaps the most important question is how good are the Chinese radars and other sensors compared to their American equivalents.

“How well will organic sensors work to support those weapons?” the test pilot asked rhetorically.

For U.S. industry officials, the J-31’s debut at the Zhuhai airshow signals that the Chinese are planning on selling the jet on the open market.

“I would characterize the J-31 flying at the Chinese airshow as ‘incremental and measured,’” a senior industry official told USNI News.

“There have been some reports that the J-31 maybe be exported. If so, then showing it off makes even more sense to attract prospective buyers,” the official said.

The Chinese are making a lot of progress in developing their aerospace industry.

However, jet engines remain a weak spot for China.

“They have yet to field many of their “new” designs in any quantities,” the industry official said.

“Time will tell.”

Meanwhile, the Russia’s advanced Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E is also making it debut at the Zhuhai airshow.

The Chinese are reportedly interested in the purchase of 24 examples of the modernized Russian-built jet.

There has been much media speculation that the Chinese intend to reverse engineer the aircraft as they have with previous Flanker variants.

“I view the Su-35 buy as a conservative stop-gap measure while they wait for the J-20 and J-31 to enter service,” the industry official said.

“Gotta have aircraft to have an air force.”