J-20 debuts at Zhuhai air show

(Xinhua/Liu Dawei) The J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter made its first public debut at the 11th China International Aviation and A...

(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

The J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter made its first public debut at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai in Southern part of China, today.

First flown in January 2011, the radar evading long range fighter was developed by China's Chengdu Aerospace Corporation.

Two J-20 fighters completed a 60 second flypast during the airshow.

J-20 is dubbed the Chinese analogue to the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter which entered service in 2006.

Closely resembling the Raptor and the F-35 stealth fighters, the J-20 development is believed to be aided by secret U.S. documents stolen by Chinese hackers.

The J-20 is a longer aircraft at 20 m compared to its counterpart and wider due to internal weapon bays required to reduce radar cross section.

(Xinhua/Li Gang)

Low observable features include the chiseled nose, DSI air intakes and the canted tail fin. Air to air missiles are stored in under belly weapon bay and two lateral bays behind the air intakes.

Canards which are placed behind the air intakes improve the stall characteristics, maneuverability and short field landing performance.

Initial aircraft are believed to powered by Russian AL-31F engines, and will be replaced by advanced indigenous WS-15 engines in future.

The first low rate initial production J-20 completed maiden flight in January 2016. The aircraft is expected to enter PLA Air Force service in 2018-19 time frame.