Summary: China’s Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” is a fifth-generation stealth fighter developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Comparable to the U.S. F-22A Raptor, the J-20 has advanced stealth features, impressive range, and a powerful weapons suite.

J-20 Fighter Jet Key Points and What You Need to Know 

-It is designed for ground-attack missions and air superiority, equipped with Shenyang WS-10 engines and capable of carrying long-range and short-range missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and laser-guided bombs.

-The J-20 demonstrates China’s significant advancements in military aviation and poses a serious challenge to U.S. and allied air superiority.

China’s Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon” is the country’s indigenously built fifth-generation warplane. Manufactured by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, this single-seat fighter is larger than America’s greatest fifth-generation warplane, the F-22A Raptor. 

Interestingly, however, the J-20’s forward section is uncannily similar to that of the aforementioned F-22 Raptor. Western observers spent years denigrating the warplane, calling it a knockoff of the F-22. Others claimed that it wasn’t truly a fifth-generation warplane, as the F-22 and F-35 Lighting II are. But the Chinese proved that it was, in fact, a fifth-generation warplane. And they did it in the most frightening way.

People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Captain Yang Jucheng of the “Wang Hai” Brigade claimed that he overflew the entire island of Taiwan and was never once intercepted. Further, it is clear that Taiwan’s otherwise sophisticated air defense tracking sensors did not see the nosy J-20 overflying their country. 

Back in 2022, US Air Force General Kenneth Wilsbach reported that a squadron of F-35 Lightning II warplanes had a “professional” encounter with some J-20s over the East China Sea. Wilsbach, to his credit, did not engage in the usual chest-thumping that so many American observers do when speaking about China’s technological capabilities. Instead, the general made this stunning admission: “we’re relatively impressed with the command and control associated with the J-20.” 

Let’s just say that’s a tacit admission that yes, contrary to what so many so-called “experts” in the West would have you believe, the J-20 is China’s first, real stealth warplane. 

This bird is designed to execute ground-attack missions for the PLAAF and it can reach higher altitudes than most other planes due to its delta-shape. The J-20 has a low radar cross-section, low jet engine intakes, canard delta configuration, diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) V-shaped tail and tail fins. 

The Mighty Dragon was powered by Saturn 117S engines provided by Russia. But, after many years of working out the kinks, China has indigenously produced the Shenyang WS-10 afterburning engine, providing 30,000 pounds of thrust, that now powers the J-20. 

It is assessed that the J-20 can travel as fast as 1,533 miles per hour and that its maximum range is 3,682 miles. That’s impressive for any country. 

In terms of its weapons package, the bird carries an internal cannon for closer quarter combat. There are eight external hardpoints on this bird as well as a massive weapons bay that is enclosed to give the J-20 greater stealth. Within that massive weapons bay (for a fighter jet), the J-20 will be able to carry long-range PL-12C/D air-to-air missiles, as well as PL-21 long-range missiles.

There are two smaller weapons bays on the bird as well. From here, the plane can fire PL-10 short-range air-to-air missiles. Beyond these systems, the J-20 can carry anti-radiation missiles, air-to-surface attack patterns, and laser-guided bombs along with drop bombs. 

This is not a bird to be trifled with. And with China’s mass production advantages over the United States, this is not a warplane to be underestimated. China has come a long way since the days of Mao Zedong. Gone are the days of backward autarky. Instead, you have a unique culture in China that has managed, by hook-or-by-crook, to steal some of America’s closest design secrets about the F-22A Raptor. 

Regardless, China has managed to build a fifth-generation plane that is truly great. And, if America and Taiwan aren’t careful, they might be having J-20s taking over the skies all around them.

About the Author  

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons.