Achievements and prospects: Chinese fighters of the 5th generation
Parade formation of J-20 fighters. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
China is striving to build a modern and highly efficient air force, for which a number of promising projects are being implemented. So, a few years ago, the first 5th generation fighter of its own Chinese design entered service with the PLA Air Force. The development of this direction does not stop, and new remarkable results are expected in the near future.
First success
According to known data, China began work on the 5th generation of fighters in the late nineties. Several years were spent on theoretical research and the first experiments. In the middle of the next decade, the development of a full-fledged project began. She was assigned to the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). The future aircraft received the index J-20.
The first flight of the prototype J-20 took place in January 2011. Thanks to him, China became the third country in the world to build and fly a new generation fighter. The next few years were spent on testing and other activities, as well as on the preparation of future mass production. According to various sources, at this stage, the fighter has undergone a lot of different changes. Various elements of on-board equipment were introduced and tested, engines were changed, etc.
In 2016, mass production was launched; in the future, its pace gradually increased. At the end of the year, the first production vehicles were transferred to the training unit of the air force. In March 2017, the new J-20 was officially adopted by the PLA Air Force. A year later, a full-fledged deployment of new equipment in combat units began.
J-20 with open weapons bay. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
According to known data, to date, CAIG has built about 50-70 J-20 aircraft. Production continues and new aircraft are regularly delivered to the units. Now they serve in the eastern strategic direction and cover the coast of the country, and also solve problems over the sea. Repeatedly there were reports of flights to escort aircraft of third countries.
In addition to new military capabilities, the J-20 fighter has given China something to be proud of. First of all, he showed the ability of Chinese industry to create aviation latest generation technology. In addition, China has become the third country to have its own 5th generation fighter. At the same time, with the adoption of the Air Force, the PLA lagged behind the United States, but was ahead of Russia by several years.
Empowerment
According to known data, CAIG continues to develop its J-20 project. In the past, foreign sources mentioned work on replacing avionics and installing new engines. Probably, some of these works are related to getting rid of "childhood diseases", but a full-fledged upgrade of the aircraft is also possible, aimed at improving its performance and potential.
In addition, a full-fledged new modification is being developed. In the late 20s, CAIG created a two-seat version of the J-20. The prototype aircraft, now known as the J-2022B, was built and entered testing last fall. In October, he was first noticed at the airport, and in November, the first flight took place. In February XNUMX, the second prototype joined the flight tests.
The first known flight of an experienced J-20B, November 2021. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
Double J-20B can be a combat training modification of the original fighter. However, there are also bolder assessments. It is possible that this aircraft has a more advanced and developed avionics and has special operational and combat capabilities. He will be able to collect and process information more efficiently, as well as coordinate the actions of other combat units - aircraft and UAVs. In fact, we can talk about an air command post of a tactical level.
How long the tests of the two existing J-20Bs will continue is unknown. Using a ready-made platform provides well-known advantages and allows you to speed up work. At the same time, the new fighter may have more sophisticated equipment that will make future events more difficult.
Like the base J-20, the updated aircraft has also become a reason for pride. The new J-20B became the world's first 5th generation fighter with a two-seat cockpit and so far remains the only one of its kind. Whether other countries will develop such a technique is unknown.
Uncertain Future
In 2010-11 there were first reports of the development of another Chinese next-generation fighter. Later, materials on the new project were shown at exhibitions. It became known that the project is being created by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) and has the working designation FC-31 or J-31.
Experienced FC-31 at one of the exhibitions. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
By the fall of 2012, SAC had built the first prototype aircraft, and the first flight took place at the end of October. In the future, the car was repeatedly seen in the air, which indicated a voluminous test program. Flights were carried out in different modes, the use of equipment and weapons was practiced. However, several years of work did not give a real result. For some reason, the FC-31 project never progressed beyond testing.
Despite this, FC-31 helped the Chinese industry to evaluate the new model of technology and test various solutions for this project. In addition, thanks to him, China became the second country in the world to develop and fly two 5th generation fighters. Of course, if it matters when refusing mass production and operation.
However, the project has already been developed. In 2020, it became known about the development of a deck modification of the FC-31, which received the designation J-35. About a year ago, a prototype or prototype of such a machine was seen at one of the experimental sites of the PLA Navy, and flight tests began in the fall. The first known flight of the J-35 from a land airfield took place in late October.
Apparently, it will take several years to conduct full-fledged tests of the J-35. First, the aircraft must show all its capabilities at a land airfield, and then checks will begin on one of the existing aircraft carriers. In the absence of serious difficulties, the new fighter will be able to enter service with the Navy no earlier than the middle of the decade. First, it will complement the existing aircraft of the previous generation J-15, and then replace them.
Land full-size model of an aircraft carrier with carrier-based aircraft. On the left, with the tail towards the camera, a layout or prototype of the J-35. Photo Twitter.com/RupprechtDeino
Currently included in fleet The PLA has two aircraft carriers. The third was recently launched, and the fourth is planned to be laid down in the foreseeable future. According to various estimates, the J-35 fighter will be based on the ships of the latest projects, and the first of them will be the Fujian, which is now being completed. This aircraft carrier has a flat flight deck and three launch positions with electromagnetic catapults, which allows it to launch different types of aircraft.
The J-35 project is of great importance not only for the construction of the fleet. There are also issues of prestige. If this project is successful, China will become the second country in the world to create its own 5th generation carrier-based fighter - and again close the gap with the United States.
In the process of development
The Chinese aviation industry has been dealing with the topic of 5th generation fighters for about 22-25 years. During this time, several organizations have developed a number of promising projects. At the moment, it is known about the existence of two basic aircraft and several of their modifications and variants. In general, this demonstrates the potential of Chinese industry, and also contributes to the strengthening of airspace defense.
However, so far there has been only limited success. Of the several developed aircraft, only one, the J-20, has reached serial production and operation in the Air Force at the moment. Serial production of such equipment began 5-6 years ago, and to date no more than 60-70 vehicles have been built. Accordingly, the troops receive no more than 8-10 aircraft annually. This can be interpreted as evidence of the complexity and high cost of production, although China is coping with it.
The first flight of the carrier-based J-35. Photo Twitter.com/TheBaseLeg
Over the next few years, we can expect the appearance of new 5th generation fighters in the troops. First of all, the two-seater "land" J-20B should go into the series. Such machines will be able to supplement and strengthen the existing group of aircraft. After 2025-26 deck-based J-35s should also appear. The first aircraft of this type may enter service almost simultaneously with the new aircraft carrier Fujian.
It is possible that the Chinese aviation industry, with the necessary secrecy, is already developing new projects for 5th generation fighters. In addition, the foundations for the next generation of aviation technology must be created. However, until a certain time, these projects will remain secret, and information about them will appear only in the future.
However, aircraft manufacturers from China have enough work even without a promising 6th generation. In the near future, they will have to complete current projects and launch the next stages of the rearmament of the Air Force and Navy. This will again contribute to the strengthening of the defense, as well as give new reasons for pride.
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