American Think Tank: Is Chengdu J-20 "Wolverine" Fighter China's Version of the F-35?

The J-20 will enhance China's presence in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, enabling China to more effectively defend its territorial claims and deter foreign (e.g., U.S.) interference.

The Chengdu J-20 "Wolverine" is China's first fifth-generation stealth fighter, currently serving with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The J-20 made its first flight in 2011 and was put into service in 2017, marking a significant leap in China's aerospace capabilities, showcasing China's military ambitions, and standing in stark contrast to the U.S. aerospace hegemony.

China's Fifth-Generation Fighter Attracts Attention

The J-20 integrates a series of advanced technologies rarely seen in U.S.-made aircraft, including stealth airframe, internal weapon bays, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and data fusion capabilities. Its fuselage design features a unique canard-delta configuration, giving it a distinctive aerodynamic shape that differs significantly from contemporaries such as the F-22 "Raptor" or F-35 "Lightning II."

The J-20 initially used Russian-supplied AL-31 engines, but it is now transitioning to the domestically produced WS-10C engine, eventually to be equipped with the upcoming (highly anticipated) WS-15 engine, which will grant the J-20 supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without using afterburners. The WS-15 should significantly increase the range of the J-20, meaning China will be able to project air power deeper into disputed airspace in the Indo-Pacific region.

The J-20 was originally optimized for air superiority missions, but it has also been used for precision strikes, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare - particularly the newer twin-seat variant, the J-20S, which is believed to serve as a "loyal wingman" drone and a node for networked operations. This means China is moving in the same direction as the United States: toward a more integrated and multi-domain warfare model, which may weaken the U.S. advantage in this area.

The J-20 Will Significantly Expand Beijing's Air Power

The J-20 will change the strategic landscape. The J-20 is crucial to China's military modernization and a key component of China's goal to build a world-class military, symbolizing national prestige and technological independence.

It is still unclear whether the J-20 can truly surpass its American counterparts. However, from a geopolitical perspective, it is evident that the J-20 provides the People's Liberation Army Air Force with a stealth long-range platform capable of challenging U.S. air power in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region. The J-20 will enhance China's presence in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait, enabling China to more effectively defend its territorial claims and deter foreign (e.g., U.S.) interference. With the J-20's range and stealth capabilities, the aircraft can be used to strike targets or intercept enemies in disputed areas without prior detection, making any military plans operating in the region more complex. For the United States, which has significant commitments in the region, the rapidly expanding J-20 fleet (currently estimated at around 200 aircraft) represents a major challenge. The J-20 at least narrows the technological gap between the Chinese Air Force and the U.S., and may force Washington to change its tactics, bases, and force posture - especially in dealing with a Taiwan Strait conflict, where early air superiority will be critical.

In summary, the J-20 is not just a powerful fifth-generation fighter. It is a strategic weapon that demonstrates China's technological and military strength. Even if the J-20 has not yet reached the level of U.S. fifth-generation fighters, it has changed the landscape. There is no doubt that, as China increasingly positions itself as a revisionist power in the region, the J-20 will become the backbone of China's high-end air power.

Source: The National Interest

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837686676214858/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.