J-20, China's fifth-generation stealth fighter, has frequently made stunning appearances in drills with its mysterious and powerful combat capabilities. A real-time footage of a "red-blue" confrontation involving the J-20 reveals a glimpse into future air combat: the red side's J-20 silently "eliminates" the blue side's fifth-generation fighter, leaving the blue team's pilot bewildered, exclaiming, "Where did the missile come from?" This seemingly "science fiction"-like aerial battle, how exactly was it staged? Let us uncover how the J-20 wins in the confrontation between stealth fighters, by examining tactics, coordination, and key elements.

In the drill, the J-20 demonstrated the ultimate killing move of a stealth fighter—“I strike you, but you can't see me.” During the entire attack process, the red-side J-20 did not trigger the blue-side radar lock warning, indicating that it may have remained in radar silence throughout or used a low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) mode. This mode reduces radar signal strength or uses complex waveforms to make it difficult for the enemy to detect. Missile launches may rely on infrared guidance or data link guidance, only briefly activating active radar at the last moment, achieving an "invisible and undetected" effect.

Even more impressive is that the J-20 quickly passed through clouds, seizing height and angle advantages, and launched three missiles beyond visual range, instantly shooting down three groups of targets. After the exercise, the blue team's pilots still couldn't figure out what happened, showing the overwhelming advantage of the J-20's stealth performance and tactical positioning. The stealth design makes its radar cross-section extremely small, allowing it to quietly approach even opponents of the same fifth-generation standard, striking them down in one hit.

The success of the J-20 is not a solo effort, but a textbook example of system warfare. In the drill, the red-side command aircraft "Tianyan" (early warning aircraft) acted as the "battlefield brain," providing the J-20 with enemy aircraft coordinates and initial intelligence, reducing the pressure on its onboard radar. The J-20 only needed to open its radar for precise targeting, quickly confirming the target as a fifth-generation fighter, demonstrating efficient information division of labor.

When a blue-side aircraft attempted to escape the strike range after 19 minutes, the J-20 took decisive action, but first needed to refuel. The Y-20 tanker quickly approached to refuel the J-20, extending its operational radius and time in the air. The J-20 then attacked and shot down the target, using supersonic cruise and maneuverability to shake off enemy reinforcements. This series of operations relied on the tight coordination of early warning aircraft, tankers, and data links, exemplifying a "seamless connection."

The outcome of this aerial battle depends not only on the J-20's performance but also on human factors. The red-side pilots quickly identified the blue-side aircraft as a fifth-generation fighter through radar characteristics, showcasing their keen battlefield awareness and decision-making ability. In contrast, the blue-side pilots were completely unaware of the J-20's attack position, exposing gaps in their tactics and awareness.

Command level was equally critical. The red-side "Tianyan" efficiently issued commands, coordinated the actions of the J-20 and Y-20, ensuring the flexibility and accuracy of the mission. It was mentioned in the news that any mistake in any link could affect the combat effectiveness, and the red-side's success was due to each link being flawless. The 2025 India-Pakistan air battle also proved this point: although India's aircraft were advanced, they suffered significant losses due to chaotic command and lack of system integration.

This 2024 drill was already shocking enough, but the future of the Chinese Air Force will only become more "sci-fi." With the introduction of the J-35 carrier-based fifth-generation fighter, the PL-17 ultra-long-range air-to-air missile, and the next-generation early warning aircraft, the KJ-3000, the J-20's combat capabilities will take another step forward. The PL-17's ultra-long range allows the J-20 to launch attacks from a safer distance, while the KJ-3000's advanced radar and data processing capabilities will further enhance system coordination efficiency.



Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7522792879824290343/

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