J-XX[2] J-X,[2][3] and XXJ[2] are names applied by Western intelligence agencies to describe programs by the People's Republic of China to develop one or more fifth-generation and sixth-generation fighter aircraft.[3][2] General He Weirong, Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), stated that China had several such programs underway and that an undesignated fifth-generation fighter developed jointly by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation and Shenyang Aerospace Corporation would be in service by 2018.[4]
| J-XX | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Combat aircraft |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
| History | |
| First flight | January 11, 2011 (J-20)[1] |
| Outcome | Chengdu selected to develop and produce the J-20 |
History
editThe PLAAF unveiled the program in late 2002.[5] A December 2002 Jane's Defence Weekly reported that Shenyang Aerospace Corporation had been selected to head research and development of the new fighter,[3] which was also stated in the New Scientist the same week.[6] Also, a 2006 article in Military Technology referred to three designs; two by Shenyang Aerospace Corporation and one by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation.[2]
According to Jane's, development of the subsystems, including an engine with thrust vectoring capability, and weapon suite for the next generation fighter had been under development. A photograph of a wind tunnel model published with the article showed a twin-engine aircraft with twin vertical tail fins. The aircraft would carry its weapons internally like the F-22 Raptor. New Scientist called attention to the angular, faceted features of the design, comparing them to the F-117 Nighthawk.
The article in Military Technology featured a picture of a completely different design, speculatively called J-14 and said to be a Shenyang project, with the designations J-12 and J-13 being applied to competing designs by Shenyang and Chengdu respectively. Since 2009, comments on the Chinese internet have indicated to a merging of the two efforts, to be named J-14. Chengdu was rumored to be responsible for the airframe, while Shenyang would be responsible for the engines and avionics.
In November 2009, General He Weirong, the Deputy Commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force confirmed research and development of the 5th generation stealth fighter, and gave a possible in-service date of 2017 to 2019.[4][7]
A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency official commenting on General He's statements indicated the DIA believes a first flight of the J-XX "will occur in the next few years". The U.S. Department of Defense expects China to have a handful of 5th generation fighters in service between 2020 and 2025, according to statements made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in July 2009.[8] However, a year later, in May 2010, United States intelligence stated that Chinese 5th generation fighter jets will be expected around 2018.[9] In 2011, Gates changed his position to state that China may have 50 stealth fighters by 2020 and a couple of hundred by 2025.[10]
Design
editThe general design concept of the J-XX is that of a fifth-generation fighter which incorporates stealth, supercruise, super-maneuverability and short take-off capabilities, abbreviated "4S".[citation needed] One or more of the proposed designs are believed to incorporate several design features for increasing stealth and maneuverability while decreasing weight and drag.
The Chinese state television broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) asserts:
A V-shaped pelikan tail could be implemented, replacing conventional vertical tail fins and horizontal stabiliser structures. This would be beneficial for reduction of radar signature, weight and aerodynamic drag, since control surface area and corresponding control mechanisms are reduced. Problems faced by this type of design are flight control system complexity and control surface loading. If the pelikan tail is adopted, use of engines with thrust vector control may alleviate these problems.[11]
[...] The new fighter may have a significantly longer fuselage than other fifth generation fighter designs, such as the F-22, for reduction of transonic and supersonic drag.[12] A trapezoidal wing may be implemented for reduction of drag and radar signature.[13] Use of an 's'-shaped air inlet and boundary layer separation system would greatly reduce radar signature.[14]
A fifth generation fighter remains an ambitious goal for the PRC, because they are behind in the needed technologies such as aerospace-grade carbon fiber,[15][16] advanced fighter engines,[citation needed] and AESA radar.[17]
Chengdu J-20
editThe Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter conducted its first flight on January 11, 2011 and entered service in 2017.[1]
Shenyang J-XX and FC-31
editShenyang Aerospace Corporation had a proposed J-XX aircraft that was larger than the J-20 and nicknamed "Snow Owl". In 2008, the PLAAF endorsed Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's proposal, Project 718 (J-20).[18] Having lost the bid, Shenyang subsequently chose to internally develop an export oriented fighter based on its experience from its J-XX proposal, called FC-31.[19] The FC-31 stealth fighter conducted its first flight in October 31, 2012. Although initially developed without PLA commitment, the aircraft eventually received interest from the PLA Navy as a carrier aircraft, and the design evolved into the J-35.[20][21]
JH-XX
editThe JH-XX is a supersonic, stealth, tactical bomber/fighter-bomber aircraft under development. JH-XX is the second stealth bomber of China confirmed in existence by the U.S. intelligence community, and the Pentagon speculates the fighter-bomber is capable of long-range strike and nuclear weapons delivery.[22][23][24][25]
See also
editReferences
editCitations
edit- ^ a b "Chinese Stealth Fighter Makes First Test Flight". Fox News. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Coniglio 2006, P.44
- ^ a b c Chang 2002
- ^ a b Govindasamy, 2009
- ^ "The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force rolls out program for the development of a new stealth fighter, the J-X". Journal of Electronic Defense. Association of Old Crows. 1 January 2003. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Knight 2002
- ^ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter
- ^ Gates 2009
- ^ "New Chinese fighter jet expected by 2018: U.S. intelligence". Reuters. 21 May 2010.
- ^ Pennington, Matthew. "Gates: Despite early Stealth jet test, China's fighter fleet will lag US for years to come."[dead link] The Canadian Press, 17 February 2011.
- ^ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 2.
- ^ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 8.
- ^ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 9.
- ^ The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter, p. 10.
- ^ Beckhusen, Robert. "Chinese Smuggler Tried to Sneak Carbon Fiber for Fighter Jets, Feds Claim." Wired Magazine, 28 September 2012.
- ^ Lowther, William. "Taiwanese embroiled in stealth-fighter sting." Taipei Times, 29 September 2012.
- ^ "Chinese Avionics Advances Ripple Throughout Asia." Defense News, 20 June 2011.
- ^ "中国空军选定下一代战机由611所方案胜出". War China (in Chinese). 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
- ^ "China unveils new fifth-generation stealth fighter".
- ^ Joe, Rick (18 February 2021). "The FC-31, China's 'Other' Stealth Fighter". The Diplomat. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
- ^ Mizokami, Kyle (9 April 2018). "Is This China's Stealth Bomber?". popularmechanics.
- ^ Tyler Rogoway and Joseph Trevithick (16 January 2019). "Intel Report Confirms China Developing Stealthy Tactical Bomber In Addition To Strategic Bomber". The Drive.
- ^ Episkopos, Mark (22 November 2019). "China's Mysterious Stealth JH-XX Bomber: A Threat to the U.S. Military?". National Interest.
- ^ Episkopos, Mark (3 December 2020). "China's JH-XX: This Stealth Fighter-Bomber Is a Total Mystery". National Interest.
Sources
edit- "The forthcoming Chinese fourth-generation fighter" (in Chinese). news.ifeng.com transcription of China Central Television broadcast. 9 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. (English translation using Google Translate) Original CCTV hosted video
- Chang, Yihong (December 2002). "China Launches New Stealth Fighter Project". Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- Coniglio, Sergio (February 2006). "China Develops Stealth Fighter". Military Technology: 44.
- Fulghum, David A.; Douglas Barrie (24 November 2009). "China Promises New, Advanced Fighter". Aviation Week. Retrieved 2010-03-15.[permanent dead link]
- Gates, Robert M. (16 July 2009). Untitled speech to Economic Club of Chicago (Speech). Chicago. Archived from the original on 28 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- Gertz, Bill (19 November 2009). "DIA on China's new fighter". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- Govindasamy, Siva (12 November 2009). "China expects fifth generation fighter in 10 years". Flight International. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- Knight, Will (December 2002). "Chinese Stealth Fighter Plans Revealed". New Scientist. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- "The new Chinese stealth fighter will be ready within 10 years". Avionews. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-15.