What Is the J-20? China’s Heavy Air-Superiority Stealth Fighter
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The Chengdu J-20 is China’s first fifth-generation fighter. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
The J-20 “Mighty Dragon” (Weilong) is a twin-engine, fifth-generation, heavy air-superiority stealth fighter developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). First flown in 2011 and in service since 2017, the J-20 became the second operational heavy stealth fighter after the U.S. F-22, with over 300 built by 2025. This page covers the J-20’s specs, variants, how it compares to the F-22 and F-35, and its long-range PL-15 missile.
On this page: what the J-20 is, specs, variants (J-20S), comparison with F-22/F-35/Su-57/J-35, the PL-15 missile, manufacturer and assessment.
What is the J-20?
The J-20 is a heavy-class air-superiority fighter designed around low observability, long range and powerful sensors. With its canard-delta layout and twin engines it is a large-airframe platform whose primary job is to defeat enemy fighters from long range.
The J-20 made China the second nation, after the U.S., to field its own fifth-generation fighter. Together with the smaller, carrier-based J-35 it forms the “high” end of a “high-low” pairing.
Technical specifications
Feature
Value
Type
5th-gen, twin-engine, heavy air-superiority stealth fighter
Manufacturer
Chengdu Aircraft Corp. (CAC / AVIC), China
First flight
11 January 2011
Service
2017 (PLAAF)
Configuration
Canard-delta, twin-engine
Engines
2 × turbofan (WS-10C → target WS-15)
Length
~20.3 m (heavy class)
Crew
1 (J-20S: 2)
Radar
AESA (Type 1475 / KLJ-5)
Main weapon
PL-15 long-range + PL-10 short-range AAM
Variants
J-20A, J-20S (two-seat), J-20B
Variants: J-20A, J-20S and J-20B
Variant
Feature
Note
J-20A
Series production, domestic engine
Main variant
J-20S
Two-seat
World’s first two-seat stealth fighter
J-20B
Improved thrust/avionics
Transition to WS-15 engine
J-20 vs F-22, F-35, Su-57 and J-35
The J-20’s closest counterpart in the heavy air-superiority role is the U.S. F-22 Raptor. The F-35 is a smaller, multirole jet. The table below is a near-class comparison, not exact equivalence.
Criterion
J-20 (China)
F-22 (USA)
F-35 (USA)
Su-57 (Russia)
J-35 (China)
Maker
Chengdu
Lockheed/Boeing
Lockheed Martin
Sukhoi
Shenyang
Role
Heavy air superiority
Heavy air superiority
Medium multirole
Multirole
Medium multirole
Engines
2
2
1
2
2
First flight
2011
1997
2010
2010
2012 (FC-31)
Service
2017
2005
2015
~2020
J-35A: 2025
Built (2025)
~300+
195 (ended)
~1300
<30
starting
Range focus
Long (PL-15)
High
Medium
Long
Medium
Export
None
None (banned)
19+ nations
Beginning
Pakistan (potential)
Assessment: the J-20 aims for the “first shot” with long-range missiles such as the PL-15; the F-22 leads in maneuver and maturity but its production ended in 2011. The J-20 remains in series production and is growing fast in numbers.
PL-15 and weapons
The J-20’s main air-to-air weapon is the PL-15, an active-AESA-seeker missile with an estimated 200+ km range; for close combat it carries the PL-10. The long-range-missile-plus-stealth combination lets the J-20 threaten enemy support aircraft (AWACS, tankers) from a distance.
Manufacturer: Chengdu / AVIC
The J-20 is built by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), part of China’s state aviation giant AVIC. Engines initially used the Russian AL-31 and domestic WS-10C; the target is the indigenous WS-15 for full performance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the J-20?
The J-20 “Mighty Dragon” is a twin-engine, fifth-generation, heavy air-superiority stealth fighter developed by China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It first flew in 2011 and entered service in 2017.
What is the difference between the J-20 and F-22?
Both are heavy air-superiority fighters. The F-22 is more mature and highly maneuverable but production ended (195 built). The J-20 is still in series production, has passed 300, and relies on the long-range PL-15 missile.
Is the J-20 two-seat?
The standard J-20 is single-seat, but the J-20S variant is two-seat and is regarded as the world’s first two-seat stealth fighter.
Is the J-20 exported?
No. The J-20 is operated only by China’s air force (PLAAF) and is not exported. For export, China offers the FC-31/J-35 class instead.
How does the J-20 differ from the J-35?
The J-20 is a heavy, long-range air-superiority fighter; the J-35 is smaller, medium-class and carrier-based. Together they form China’s “high-low” fifth-generation pairing.
