Latest version of J-20 fighter jet completes maiden test flight

 

China's new version of its J-20 fighter jet completed its first test flight successfully Saturday, escorted by a J-10S fighter, a leading Chinese-language infotainment web portal cited sources as saying Saturday.

The mil.news.sina.com.cn website said the plane landed successfully at around 12:30 p.m.

Reports also said that the J-20 No. 2011 has undergone several improvements and upgrades in terms of engine capacity, as well combat and stealth ability.

Chinese military expert Du Wenlong, in a recent interview with China's CCTV television channel, said the new version of J-20 could mean that all the technical problems of the old versions of J-20 have been solved and that combat training tests will follow.

J-20

J-20 may have better ground attack capability than F-22

The J-20, China's prototype first fifth-generation stealth fighter, may have better ground attack capability than its US counterpart, a report from the Beijing Sina Military Network said after a photo of the newest version of the aircraft was released on the internet.

 
Judging from the photo of a J-20 with the serial number 2011, Sina Military Network said the electro-optical targeting system seen below the nose indicates that the fighter is designed mainly for ground attack. This is a similar design to American stealth fighters such as the F-22 and F-35. With stealth capability, the article said that J-20 can be a perfect bomber when used against a ground target.

 
Most missions carried out by American fighters such as the F-16 Falcon or F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan and Iraq are against ground targets. The F-22 is also designed with the capability to attack ground targets with joint direct attack munitions and small diameter bombs. However, the F-22 may still be detected by enemy radar while tracking a moving ground target as its radar releases electromagnetic radiation.

 
After all 35 satellites of the second phase of China's Beidou Navigation System are sent into orbit, the J-20 will be able to launch precision attacks against ground targets like the F-22 as well, Sina Military Network said. Noting that the J-20 can carry four air-to-air missiles, the article also indicated that China is developing its own joint direct attack munitions and small diameter bombs for the stealth fighter.

 
The J-20 can carry a payload of up to 24 small diameter bombs compared to the F-22, which can carry about eight, Sina Military Network said. If the electro-optical targeting system can be used by fourth-generation fighters like the Su-30 and J-10, this would enhance the ground attack capability for these fighters from a longer distance, the report said.

 Concept art for the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter.