J-20 Mighty Dragon: China's 5th generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft

New pictures of the China's J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter have surfaced and are making their way across military blogs. J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ fifth-generation single-seat air dominance multi-role fighter jet has been developed by the China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corp (CAC).

J20 Mighty Dragon: China's 5th Generation Stealth aircraft carries more fuel and weapons than US F-22 Raptor

The prototype is said to be using the Saturn AL-31 turbofan engine developed by the Russians for their SU-27 air superiority fighter.

F-22 Raptor of USA, falling in the same category may be more agile and made entirely in the U.S., but the Mighty Dragon:

Carries more fuel and weapons than Lockheed's fighter. 

J-20 uses F-22 Raptor style forward fuselage and DSI (Divertless Supersonic Intake) to reduce the Radar cross section (RCS) of the aircraft. 

J-20 will carry up to eight new generation PL-10 Within Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (WVRAAM ) and PL-12 (or PL-21 ramjet-powered)Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM).

J-20 fighter jet will carry upto 6 air to air missiels in its large belly weapon bay and another two WVRAAM can be carried in its lateral weapon bays.

The J-20's development is also moving along much faster than anyone had expected. Back in 2009, Gen. He Weirong, deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force said in a TV interview that the J-20 wouldn't be operational until 2017-2019. That estimate will likely be revised if work continues at the current pace.

Read more/view slide show for more photos of J2- Mighty dragon Stealth Chinese aircraft: Business Insider

For more photos /specifications read Chinese Military Review

Read More

JF-17 Thunder - Homing on the frontiers beyond

JF-17 Thunder, the Pakistan-China joint venture is one subject that attracts viewers to my earlier posts on this aircraft throughout the year. Therefore, I thought to add more to it as an update on my previous posts.

The JF-17 Thunder project after making headlines at the Farnborough air show earlier this year, has recently been at the centre of attraction for the prospective buyers at the 8th China International aviation and Aerospace Exhibition recently held in the China’s coastal city of Zhuhai. Some 35 countries participated in the exhibition. This was the first time that Pakistan also participated in the Exhibition with its proud possession of JF-17 Thunders, besides the K-8 Karakoram trainer aircraft (also a joint production of China and Pakistan).

Beside many attractions, the air show also provided its participants a rare opportunity to see China’s J-10 aircraft, followed by awesome aerobatic display of the three JF-17 Thunders by the Pakistani pilots. The Sherdils of Pakistan displayed hair raising aerobatics with their ten K-8 trainer aircraft, which really spellbound the spectators.

The participants of the exhibition are reported to have taken keen interest in the JF-17 Thunder, which provides a low price tagged solution to the challenges in the air with its par excellence avionics, reduced maintenance and operational costs as compared to other aircraft of the same class and category. South African and French companies have already shown interest in updating the JF-17’s avionics and weapons package.

It may be added here that Pakistan Air Force has already officially inducted its first JF-17 squadron on 18th February 2010 and is in the process of adding yet another squadron soon. This light weight multirole all-weather combat aircraft has seven external hard points that can carry 8,000 pounds of ordnance. Internal armament comprises one 23 mm GSh-23-2 twin-barrel cannon mounted under the port side air intake, which can be replaced with a 30 mm GSh-30-2 twin-barrel cannon.

Related Link:

Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder at Farnborough Air Show 2010

JF-17 Thunder – the first squadron enters Pakistan Air Force

Read More