The speed at which the Chinese Air Force has updated its equipment in recent years is truly remarkable, especially with the J-20 and J-16D aircraft. One focuses on stealth, while the other specializes in electronic warfare. When used together, they are like a golden pair for air combat.

The J-20 is a fifth-generation fighter developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Its design aims to make it undetectable by enemy radars, effectively giving the plane an invisibility cloak. The J-16D is an electronic warfare variant of the J-16, developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. It can mess up enemy detection systems, making them as blind as a bat.

When combined, these two do not simply add up to one plus one; instead, they amplify the overall combat power, helping the air force gain an advantage in complex environments.

The J-20 began with the J-XX program in the late 1990s, when the Chinese Air Force realized the need for a fighter capable of countering advanced enemy aircraft. The Chengdu Institute's team received official approval from the PLAAF in 2008 and started Project 718. The prototype conducted high-speed taxi tests at the end of 2010 and made its first flight on January 11, 2011, lasting only 15 minutes, which verified the basic design.

Subsequent prototypes took to the skies, with the second one flying in May 2012, and the third one in March 2014, equipped with improved DSI intakes, radar-absorbent coatings, and new vertical stabilizers.

Low-rate production began at the end of 2015, and the design was finalized in October 2017, with a monthly production rate of three aircraft. The twin-seat version, the J-20S, appeared in October 2021, and the WS-15 engine was tested in March 2022, with a prototype carrying two WS-15 engines flying on June 29, 2023.

Mass production of the WS-15 engine started in March 2023. The J-20 officially entered service on March 8, 2017, and joined operational units in February 2018.

By September 2025, more than 300 J-20s had been produced. The J-20A and J-20S were unveiled on September 3. Throughout this process, the Chinese Air Force transitioned from relying on imported Su-27s to independently developing fifth-generation fighters within less than 20 years, thanks to multiple units competing to reduce risks, with funding exceeding $4.4 billion.

The J-16D is based on the J-11 series, drawing experience from the Su-30MKK. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation conducted the first flight of the J-16 in 2011-2012, and it entered service between 2015 and 2016. The electronic warfare version, the J-16D, was revealed in photos in 2015, and its first flight took place on December 18, 2015. It was delivered to the troops by the end of 2020, and was displayed statically at the 13th Zhuhai Airshow in September 2021, equipped with six electronic warfare pods.

Training began in November, and the J-16D first appeared near the Taiwan Strait on January 24, 2022. It reappeared at the airshow in November 2022 and arrived at Jinwan Airport on November 3, 2024, for the 15th airshow. On September 3, 2025, it was showcased in the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan. By 2025, the total production of the J-16 series exceeded 450 aircraft, with the J-16D as a specialized version, though fewer in number, playing a critical role.

The J-20's stealth capability is its main strength. The aircraft is 21.2 meters long, with a wingspan of 13.01 meters and a height of 4.69 meters. Its empty weight is 17 tons, and the maximum takeoff weight is 37 tons. The design features a canard configuration with Leading Edge Root Extensions (LERX), a sharp nose, a frameless canopy, a DSI inlet with an S-shaped duct, a flat bottom, internal weapon bays, serrated door edges, grid covers for cooling ports, embedded antennas, and radar-absorbent materials. The afterburner nozzle is also serrated.

The radar cross-section from the front is comparable to that of the F-22, better than the Su-57, but slightly worse than the F-35 overall, especially at the rear. The canards are controlled by software to reduce reflections. The DSI inlet allows the aircraft to reach Mach 2 and saves on radar-absorbent materials. The overall design makes it difficult for enemy radars to lock on, giving it a first-strike advantage.

In terms of engines, early models used the AL-31FM2, providing 145 kilonewtons of thrust, later upgraded to the WS-10C, delivering 142-147 kilonewtons of thrust, enabling supersonic cruise. The WS-15 provides 161-180 kilonewtons of thrust with vectoring, entering production in 2023, enhancing the endurance and maneuverability of the J-20A. The internal fuel capacity is 12 tons, allowing for a range of 5,500 kilometers with two external fuel tanks, and an operational radius of 2,000 kilometers.

The ceiling is 20,000 meters, with a climb rate of 304 meters per second, a wing loading of 340 kilograms per square meter, and a G-limit of +9/-3. The avionics include an AESA radar with 2,000-2,200 T/R modules, capable of tracking 200 targets at 200 kilometers. Six passive infrared sensors have been upgraded to 360 degrees. The EOTS-89 targeting system and EORD-31 infrared search system are included, along with a glass cockpit featuring large touchscreens, a HUD, and a helmet-mounted display. It can also function as an airborne early warning system.

Weapons-wise, the main bay carries four PL-15 or PL-21 medium-to-long-range missiles, and the side bays carry PL-10 short-range missiles. After upgrades, the main bay can accommodate six PL-15 or smaller PL-16 missiles. Four external hardpoints allow for eight PL-15 or PL-17 missiles, but at the cost of stealth. It supports LS-6/50/100 precision bombs, FT-7, CM-506KG, and anti-radiation missiles.

The J-16D's electronic warfare capabilities make it a perfect partner for the J-20. The aircraft is 21.9 meters long, with a wingspan of 14.7 meters and a height of 6.36 meters. It is powered by the WS-10A or B engine, providing 135 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburning. It can reach a maximum speed of Mach 2, has a range of 3,000 kilometers, and a ferry range of 4,000 kilometers. The ceiling is 17,300 meters, with a climb rate of 230 meters per second and a G-limit of +9.

The avionics include an AESA radar, an IRST, and EW pods. Compared to the basic J-16, the J-16D has removed the infrared search and a 30-millimeter cannon, replaced with two large electronic intelligence pods on the wingtips, more antennas on the fuselage, and a missile launch point under the belly for anti-radiation missiles such as YJ-91 or new types. It has four large pods, each with a transmission power of over 10 kilowatts, and the AESA radar has 2,000 T/R units.

It can detect enemy radars and communication signals, record and analyze them, use jammers to disrupt enemy air defense targets and fire control, and launch anti-radiation missiles to destroy mobile or fixed systems. It can also provide self-defense protection for other aircraft.

Together with the J-20, the J-16D suppresses the enemy's electronic environment, disables the radar network, allowing the J-20's stealth to penetrate. Stealth aircraft make the enemy invisible, while electronic warfare makes the enemy blind.

Combined, they form a system of reconnaissance, attack, and defense, helping the air force establish an air and space link, counter advanced air defenses.

In terms of the air force's role, the J-20 primarily controls the skies, deployed in 12 divisions covering five theater commands. From January 2018, it participated in night-time exercises against the J-16 and J-10C, and in May 2018, it conducted maritime exercises. In April 2022, it patrolled the East China Sea and South China Sea.

In March 2023, it simulated the F-35 as a hypothetical enemy. The J-16D enhanced electronic attacks, with practical training in 2021, helping expand the operational range. In November 2024, a promotional video showed four aircraft together: the J-20, J-16, J-10C, and J-16D, representing the coordination between stealth and non-stealth aircraft, integrated firepower and information, and multi-aircraft cooperation.

As of 2025, the J-20 has surpassed 300 units, with an annual production of over 100, and the J-20S has been commissioned, supporting drone formations. The J-16 series has reached 450 units, with the J-16D upgrading its pod software to handle emerging signals.

The air force uses these aircraft to patrol the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. In August 2022, it responded to Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan by deploying numerous J-16s. On May 26, 2022, it intercepted an Australian P-8, and on May 26, 2023, it forced a U.S. RC-135. The J-16D's first patrol of the island was reported, with experts stating that it can detect enemy signals, interfere with radars, and double the effectiveness of aircraft like the J-20.

Compared to foreign counterparts, the J-20's radar power is 50% higher than that of the F-22, and the WS-15 engine's thrust exceeds that of the F-22 and F-35. Its stealth performance is better than the Su-57, but slightly behind the F-35, although its sensors are similar to those of the F-35's DAS and EOTS. The J-16D is comparable to the EA-18G, equipped with anti-radiation missiles and strong platform advantages.

A U.S. publication noted that the J-16 has three advantages: professional electronic warfare, extended range, and multi-mission capability, which the J-20 cannot replace. The Chinese Air Force has evolved from the J-7 era to a strategic air force dominated by fifth-generation fighters through these equipment developments.

Overall, these two aircraft are not isolated entities but part of a larger system. The J-20 conducts stealth strikes, while the J-16D provides electronic cover, helping the air force gain an edge in information-based warfare.

In the future, AI may be added, with the J-16 testing "ZhiSheng" algorithms for single-seat versions. In terms of production, the J-20 will reach 500-700 units by 2035, while the basic J-16 will be phased out, focusing on the electronic version. The air force's operations will expand into the East China Sea and South China Sea, maintaining security.

References

Changing the Rules! The J-20's Combat Partner Has Arrived - Red Star News

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7572192603635024418/

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