China’s latest stealth fighter is serving in the People’s Liberation Army air force, Chinese media
China’s latest J-20 stealth fighter has been officially commissioned into service of People’s Liberation Army air force.
According to Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, the flight tests are being conducted as were scheduled.
The J-20 is one of the latest jet fighters being developed by China, Like the F-22, the J-20 is a so-called fifth-generation fighter that boasts stealth technology
Earlier this month, China’s air force started training a new generation of pilots for the J-20. Now, according to a brief article from the state media organization Xinhua
The J-20 made its first flight on 11 January 2011, but the plane was officially revealed on China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2016.
In March 2017, Chinese media claimed that the aircraft has entered initial operational capability phase with limited service within Air Force.
According to the Jamestown Foundation, the J-20 has the potential for development into a high performance stealth aircraft comparable to the F-22 Raptor, if given appropriate engines.
The latest news about the J-20 that emerged this month was the fact that China is building its own engines for the stealth fighter because of Russian engine. China will try in future not to rely on foreign country for this important part of aircraft.
The aircraft’s glass cockpit comprises two main large color liquid crystal displays (LCD) situated side-by-side, three smaller auxiliary displays, and a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD).
The fighter is armed with EOTS-86 electro-optical targeting system and Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System developed by Chinese company A-Star Science and Technology.
The main weapon bay is capable of housing both short and long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) (PL-9, PL-12C/D &PL15 – PL-21). Two smaller lateral weapon inlets behind the air inlets are intended for short-range AAMs (PL-10). These bays allow closure of the bay doors prior to firing the missile, thus enhancing stealth.
Its introduction could add a new dimension in the India- China air force balance. Pakistan has already expressed its interest in acquiring it.