China’s “Mighty Dragon” Jet Fighter Is Getting An Upgrade

Towards the end of 2024, two new demonstration Chinese stealth fighters were discovered. The separate designs presented by the Shenyang and Chengdu manufacturers have stunned aviation enthusiasts and military experts alike. Both airframes had features that would make them stealthy, high-performance, next-generation platforms. While additional information about these planes has yet to be released, their overall design is consistent with what experts have already guessed about China’s future aviation goals. One of the fighter jets shown in the leaked flight videos is likely a successor to the PLAAF’s current fifth generation program. The Chengdu J-20 is widely regarded as one of the most formidable jets of its type to ever fly the skies. The design of the “Mighty Dragon”, from the shape of the fuselage and the shape of the engine intake to the color and stealth design, mirrors the American F-22 and F-35 platforms. If a real war were to break out over the South China Sea, the J-20 platform would undoubtedly spearhead the PRC’s air strategy.

A brief overview of the J-20 platform

When the J-20 was first introduced into service, China became the second country ever to put the fifth-generation stealth aircraft into service. The plane was initially confirmed by the PLAAF in the early 2000s and entered service in 2017. By 2019, a significant number of J-20s had become operational. Initially, the fifth-generation platform flew with Russian AL-31 engines. The PRC later switched to their domestically produced WS-15 engine, an important transition as the Chinese engine is incredibly superior capable from Russian imports as it allows the J-20 to enter super cruise mode while simultaneously unlocking the super maneuvering capabilities conferred by thrust vectoring.

Specifications and capabilities – how does the J-20 compare to its American peers?

In terms of capabilities, aviation enthusiasts believe that the J-20 features a set of sensors that parallels the F-35’s electro-optical targeting system. The all-weather twinjet Mighty Dragon has a reported range of 1,200 miles, a service threshold of 55,000 feet and a top speed of Mach-2.55. While these characteristics make China’s fifth-generation jet a formidable threat to its American peers, the extent of the jet’s capabilities remains unknown. AND scientific novice of Air Force and Technology at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security called the Mighty Dragon “a qualitatively greater threat than any previous non-Western fighter jet.”

The race to produce sixth-generation platforms is underway

In total, the PRC plans increase J-20 production to match and even exceed the number of US Raptors in service today. If Mighty Dragon hits this production target, the potential for incursions across Taiwan will increase. The PRC remains steadfast in its ambition to take control of this first nation of the island chain in the near future. Besides that acquisition more J-20, the Chinese military is prioritizing the production of sixth-generation platforms. Xi’an Beijing’s upcoming H-20 stealth bomber is a counter to the US-designed B-21 Raider. China is also working on developing a next-generation fighter jet program, as evidenced by recent stealth fighter demonstrator flights.

Maya Carlin is a Security of the national interest associateanalyst at the Center for Security Policy and former Anna Sobol Levy fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. He has contributed to many publications, including The National Interest, the Jerusalem Post, and the Times of Israel.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.