OVERVIEW: The Chengdu J-20A aka Mighty Dragon is a stealthy, all-weather, twin engine, long range, fifth-generation air superiority fighter with precision strike capability.

DETAILS: There is some disagreement as to the primary mission of the J-20.   Western analysts describe the J-20 as a low-observable (LO) interceptor intended to erode U.S. power projection capabilities.  These analysts believe the J-20 operates within an anti-access/aerial denial (A2/AD) framework, targeting tankers and cC4ISR aircraft.  In contrast, Chinese sources describe the J-20 as an air-superiority fighter meant to engage other fighters.  However, the Chinese sources also note that the J-20 is intended to be used as part of a "system of systems" approach to air superiority, giving credence to the western analysis of the aircraft's mission. The J-20's large size likely gives it a large payload and endurance without needing to conduct aerial refueling, further supporting the western evaluation of its role.

The J-20 uses a delta-wing design.  It has a long and blended fuselage, with a chiseled nose section and a frameless canopy.  Immediately behind the cockpit are low-observable diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) intakes to control airflow into the engines. All-moving canard surfaces with pronounced dihedral are placed behind the intakes, followed by leading edge extensions (LERX) merging into the delta wing with forward-swept trailing edges. 

The J-20 is designed to be highly maneuverable.  To achieve the necessary sustained pitch authority at a high AoA, the J-20 uses canards, which also provide good supersonic performance, excellent supersonic and transonic turn performance, and improved short-field landing performance compared to conventional delta wing designs. The combination of Leading-edge extensions generates 1.2 times the lift of an ordinary canard delta, and 1.8 times more lift than a pure delta configuration. This allows for a smaller wing which reduces supersonic drag yet maintaining the high lift-to-drag characteristics crucial to the aircraft's turn performance. PRC sources claim the J-20 has comparable maneuverability to the J-10.

The J-20 is estimated to be more stealthy than the Russian Su-57,  but inferior to the F-35. The J-20 nose and main undercarriage, and cheek weapon bay doors, all employ C-band through Ku-band reducing optimized serrated edge design, similar to F-117A / F-22.  However, the aft fuselage, tail booms, fins/strakes and axi-symmetric nozzles are not compatible with good stealth performance and the moving slab stabilators and canards will impact RCS at deflection angles away from the neutral position.

The J-20A is powered by Russian-made AL-31FM2 engines, producing 31970 pounds of thrust each. 


Specifications

Max Speed: 	Mach 2.0
Max Range:	1,100 nm (combat radius)
Max Payload:	??
G-limit		??
Crew:		 1



NOTES: IOC: March 2017.


SOURCES: "Chengdu J-20." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Last modified November 28, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-20. ; "Face It: China’s J-20 Is A Fifth-Generation Fighter." Aviation Week Networkpage | Aviation Week Network. Last modified April 5, 2021. https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/face-it-chinas-j-20-fifth-generation-fighter. ; Hollings, Alex. "F-35s Encountered China's J-20: Here's What the Air Force Said About It." Sandboxx. Last modified October 4, 2022. https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/f-35s-encountered-chinas-j-20-heres-what-the-air-force-said-about-it/. ; Pike, John. "J-20 (Jianjiji-20 Fighter Aircraft 20) / F-20." GlobalSecurity.org. Last modified 10, 2021. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/j-20-design.htm.