【Military Second Plane】Author: Tianlang

Recently, China Central Television (CCTV) has rarely disclosed footage of the J-20 stealth fighter jet from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) participating in real combat interception missions. It clearly pointed out that the J-20 of the Wang Hai Squadron of the Eastern Theater Command Air Force had forced foreign military aircraft approaching China's airspace to retreat. The message behind this news goes far beyond "showcasing achievements." It is a direct response to external doubts, especially a high-profile demonstration of the capabilities of stealth fighters in confrontation, highlighting the maturity and effectiveness of China's anti-stealth system.

▲CCTV's related report

CCTV did not explicitly identify the opponent's aircraft model, but the target that required the deployment of the J-20 for interception was certainly not an ordinary reconnaissance platform. Based on the U.S. military's deployment at the time, the one driven away is likely to be the F-35A or F-22A, especially the latter. In January, the U.S. military had deployed multiple F-22 and F-35 aircraft to Okinawa and Kadena bases in Japan, and the Eastern Theater Command faced these highly stealthy forward platforms.

Different from previous use of Su-35 or J-16 to intercept high-performance targets, the deployment of the J-20 this time was a clear response to stealth aerial threats. Moreover, multiple J-20s taking off together and effectively "driving away" the enemy indicates that we can not only detect these stealth aircraft but also control the air situation, complete interception and jamming.

▲Various types of anti-stealth radar displayed at air shows in recent years

The key to the J-20's successful completion of the stealth target interception mission lies in China's establishment of a comprehensive "anti-stealth system" covering land, air, and space. First, ground radar networks, such as the meter-wave, VHF, and UHF radars like JY-27A, SLC-6, and YLC-8B, have already been able to initially detect and guide stealth targets. Especially the VHF band radar, whose wavelength resonates with components such as the tail wing and inlet of stealth aircraft, greatly enhances the target echo signal.

Secondly, early warning aircraft such as the KJ-500 provide precise relay and target identification in the air, using advanced data fusion technology to convert low-frequency radar initial signals into operational track information, which is finally guided by data links to enable the J-20 to quickly advance and complete the interception. In the CCTV program, the J-20 pilot mentioned "close-range maneuvering confrontation," further confirming the completion of the entire anti-stealth process: from discovery, locking, guidance to final engagement, the system capability has become mature.

▲J-20 and F-22

Three signals conveyed by the interception action:

First, the J-20 has fully entered the stage of practical deployment. According to analysis, the current number of J-20s may have exceeded 200, transitioning from a "display aircraft" to a "routine main force." Not only does it participate in combat readiness patrols, but it also assumes high-intensity border standoff tasks. This active interception of stealth targets is a practical verification of its combat capability system.

Second, China's anti-stealth system has already been able to "concretely" detect and guide operations. This differs from theoretical "detection" in that it has the ability to stably detect, track, and guide in actual combat environments. As early as 2013, Chinese domestic anti-stealth radar had remotely locked the flight path of the U.S. F-22. This time, it is an open "locking and driving away" case.

Third, this is an active counterattack against external "cognitive warfare." After Israel's F-35 struck Iranian nuclear facilities, international public opinion once again raised the myth of stealth fighter capabilities, accompanied by false voices such as "whether Chinese equipment can match." When CCTV announced the J-20 driving away stealth aircraft, it was not only an information war countermeasure but also a confidence boost for China's air defense capability.

▲Don't forget that we also have the sixth-generation aircraft that have been tested multiple times

In recent years, the U.S. military has deployed fifth-generation aircraft to Asian frontlines, aiming to "air encircle" China. With the mass production of the J-20, and the future development of subsequent platforms such as the J-35, J-36, and J-50, China is accelerating the construction of a "stealth air force." In the future, more confrontations and battles between stealth aircraft will inevitably occur in areas such as the East China Sea and South China Sea. The true victory of stealth fighters no longer depends on the performance of a single aircraft, but rather on the maturity of the supporting system. In this regard, China's radar-warning-aircraft-data link integration system has already reached a level of practical combat. The U.S. stealth aircraft can no longer achieve "silently entering and cleanly leaving" when facing China's well-established air defense system.

The maximum tactical value of stealth fighters lies in "being invisible." The disclosure by CCTV marks that the Chinese Air Force has entered a new stage of "being able to see, daring to strike, and being able to counteract." From the past "stealth equals invincibility" to now "system lock and intercept," this is not only a leap in military technology but also a maturation in strategic thinking.

▲J-20

In the future, stealth fighter confrontation will become routine, and cognitive warfare, technological warfare, and system warfare will also take place simultaneously. Whether the J-20 can truly "suppress" the F-22 still needs more facts to verify. However, it is certain that the Chinese military is no longer passively responding but has the ability to actively meet the enemy and control the pace. This time, the J-20 drove away the "invisible enemy" in the real combat airspace; next time, perhaps it will be a key step in the systemized air force's struggle for dominance over the battlefield.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524636387401695744/

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