When it comes to the J-20, we have to start from the beginning. It is a major step forward for China's aviation industry. When it made its first flight in 2011, many people thought this aircraft was no ordinary thing. The J-20 is a fifth-generation fighter with strong stealth capabilities, supersonic cruise, good maneuverability, and a long operational range. Its appearance made China the third country, after the United States and Russia, capable of independently developing a fifth-generation fighter.

This is not only a technological achievement but also represents a significant enhancement in national defense strength. Especially the United States, seeing this, became restless, always trying to figure out the details inside, even sending people to lurk around Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) in an attempt to steal technology.

But in the end, the results were very satisfying for the Chinese, as these attempts all failed, and the national security agencies handled the situation firmly.

Yang Wei was born in Zizhong, Sichuan, on May 1963. That place is not a big city, but he has always loved learning. In 1978, at the age of 15, he entered the Department of Aircraft Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University and joined Class 5381. This class later produced many aviation experts. He studied aerodynamics and flight mechanics at the undergraduate level and graduated in 1982. Then he continued his studies for a master's degree and obtained his degree in 1985.

His thesis focused on flight mechanics, laying a solid foundation. After graduation, he directly went to the Chengdu Aircraft Design Research Institute, starting from the position of a junior engineer. At that time, CAC was located in the suburbs, and he went to the office every day, participating in various aircraft projects, gradually accumulating experience.

In the 1990s, Yang Wei was responsible for coordination within the team, handling aerodynamic layout and control systems. In 1998, he became the deputy chief designer of the J-10 aircraft at the age of 35. The J-10 was China's first independently developed third-generation fighter, and he managed the flight control system, overcoming many challenges with his team.

The J-10 used a digital fly-by-wire flight control system, which was a breakthrough in China's aviation industry at the time. Yang Wei led the wind tunnel tests, simulating flight paths, and optimizing parameters. In 2003, the J-10 was officially certified and put into service, and he played a significant role in this.

In 2000, Yang Wei took over as the chief designer of the FC-1 "Jianghu" (also known as the "Kite") aircraft, becoming the youngest aircraft chief designer in China at the age of 37. The FC-1 is a cooperative export fighter aircraft between China and Pakistan. He was involved in the entire process from concept design to prototype manufacturing.

The team developed single-seat and dual-seat variants to meet different needs. The FC-1 made its first flight in 2003, and Yang Wei organized ground simulations and aerial tests. The FC-1 has been exported to multiple countries, proving that China's fighter aircraft design capabilities have improved. Yang Wei received a ministerial-level science and technology progress award for this project.

In 2006, Yang Wei began to oversee the J-20 project. As the chief designer, he started from the project initiation stage. The J-20 aimed to be a fifth-generation fighter, emphasizing stealth, supersonic cruise, and super-maneuverability. The team used a canard layout and a DSI inlet to reduce radar cross-section. Yang Wei coordinated the development of subsystems, with multiple units competing to reduce risks.

In 2009, the Air Force Deputy Commander predicted that the J-20 would be in service by 2017, and Yang Wei's team worked overtime. On January 11, 2011, the J-20 made its first flight, and Yang Wei was on-site to monitor the parameters. After the first flight, continuous improvements were made. In February 2012, the No. 2002 aircraft flew to Yanchang to test maneuverability. In 2013, photos of the J-20 carrying the PL-10 missile were exposed, and the main weapons bay also tested long-range missiles.

In 2017, he became the director of the Aviation Technology Innovation Center of the National Defense Science, Technology, and Industry, promoting aviation technology. The J-20's funding exceeded 4.4 billion dollars, and Yang Wei managed it strictly. In 2016, the two J-20 aircraft were displayed at the Zhuhai Air Show. In 2017, Yang Wei was promoted to the vice chairman of the Science and Technology Committee of AVIC, overseeing more types of aircraft. The J-20 initially used the AL-31F engine, later switching to the WS-10B. Yang Wei's team optimized it, and by the end of 2019, the production had reached over a hundred aircraft.

Yang Wei has received the State Science and Technology Progress Special Prize and a Ministerial Level First-Class Merit. In 2021, he was elected an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, guiding young engineers. On October 31, 2024, he attended a meeting at the Aviation Electronics Laboratory and shared his experiences.

In January 2025, Yang Wei was removed from his position as vice president of AVIC Aerospace Technology Industry Co., Ltd. Previously, he was in charge of the J-20 series, the J-10 upgrades, and the FC-1. After being removed from his position, he may transfer to other roles, but his contributions have left a mark in the history of China's aviation industry.

The United States has always been envious of the J-20 technology because it broke their monopoly on stealth fighters. From the late 2000s, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) began to infiltrate China's aviation industry, especially Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), because it is the base where the J-20 was developed.

The CIA used various methods, sending agents disguised as businessmen, engineers, and tourists to lurk around CAC. In June 2013, there was a report that the U.S. sent agents to infiltrate CAC, attempting to steal secrets about the J-20. However, CAC's security was strict, monitoring every suspicious person.

Hou Mou is a confidential personnel of CAC. In January 2013, the unit sent him to study at a university in the United States. During his study, U.S. intelligence personnel approached him, first providing academic resources, then using money to bribe him.

In July 2013, Hou Mou's wife and children visited, and an American named Jacob contacted them, offering gifts and building relationships. They met multiple times, and intelligence personnel asked questions, and Hou Mou answered, receiving cash. In January 2014, Hou Mou returned to China and continued working.

After returning, Hou Mou used his phone to take photos of the project and transmitted them overseas. The content involved national defense and military intelligence, including 2 top-secret documents, 3 confidential documents, and 6 secret documents. In the spring of 2016, he went to the United States again for a meeting, met intelligence personnel over 20 times, provided details, and received payment. CAC's security detected abnormal behavior and monitored his actions. The national security agency investigated and found that he frequently used encrypted devices to send messages.

American intelligence activities were not limited to this one case. In 2007, the CIA stole F-35 technology through the network from Lockheed Martin and transferred it to China? No, this is a media smear by the United States, claiming that China stole F-35 technology and used it in the J-20.

The United States also used satellites and cyber-hacking to collect information on the J-20. In 2014, the U.S. media claimed that the J-20 copied the F-35, but the J-20 emphasized speed and range, with 40% more internal fuel, showing great potential.

CAC's counter-espionage work was meticulous. A confidentiality system was established, rotation of positions, background checks. Big data analysis was used to identify suspicious behaviors. False intelligence was set up to lure spies. The case of Hou Mou was exposed in this way. On July 23, 2021, the Sichuan Provincial National Security Agency arrested Hou Mou, seized the intelligence, and prevented the leakage. The case was transferred to the Chengdu Intermediate People's Court for trial.

The U.S. actions aimed to know each other, hinder China's air force. But the people of CAC held the line, and all such attempts were crushed. There are similar cases, such as the 2015 case in Jiangxi where Japan illegally surveyed military secrets.

In 2016, the national security agency investigated 29 units, 68 devices had potential risks, and there were many confidential documents. In 2017, the official disclosure revealed that the U.S. sent agents to steal J-20 intelligence. In October 2023, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported a major espionage case, indicating that the U.S. had planted eyes in the defense and military industry.

The development of the J-20 has not stopped. In March 2017, it was officially in service and joined the Air Force. On July 30, 2017, during the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Army, three J-20s made a combat posture appearance. In 2018, it was equipped with the units and participated in exercises. In 2019, the production exceeded 100 aircraft, using the WS-10B engine. In 2020, it continued to be developed during the pandemic.

The engine is key. The development of the WS-15 began in the 1990s, and in 2005, it underwent testing. In 2012, it passed long-term testing. CCTV said that the WS-15 would be equipped with the J-20 in 2020, but the progress was slow. In 2021, the key technologies of the WS-15 were improved.

In December 2022, it was officially announced that the WS-15 made its first flight. On June 29, 2023, the J-20 equipped with the WS-15 made its first flight, the No. 2052 prototype. The thrust is 4,000 pounds more than the WS-10, improving performance.

In July 2023, the U.S. theater website stated that the WS-15 was approaching maturity. In September 2024, the J-20 switched to the WS-15, with an annual production of 100 aircraft. The J-20B is an improved version, a twin-seat variant, with optimized structure. In mid-2024, the 300th aircraft was completed. In February 2025, the production capacity reached 120 aircraft, and the WS-15 version was mass-produced. After equipping with the WS-15, the J-20's supersonic cruise capability is comparable to the F-22, with overall performance at the top level.

Yang Wei made significant contributions, pushing the J-20 from its first flight to service. In January 2025, he was removed from his position, possibly due to military industry anti-corruption efforts or normal adjustments. The president of AVIC, Hao Zhaoping, was also removed. Yang Wei previously oversaw multiple aircraft models and won many awards. After his removal, he may transition to a consultant role, supporting the industry. In March 2025, the Chinese National Security Bureau announced that an assistant engineer who sold secrets was sentenced to death, reflecting the severity of the leaks.

The case of Hou Mou was concluded, with a heavy sentence, demonstrating determination. The U.S. infiltration failed, and the J-20 technology was not lost. China's aviation industry consolidated its position, and the J-20 has more than 200 aircraft, participating in patrols. With the mature WS-15, the J-20 is complete. Yang Wei's career ended, but his legacy remains. Yang Wei's team continues to optimize, and research on the sixth-generation aircraft has made breakthroughs.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7567677929711256106/

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