The Chengdu J-20 has officially entered service of the Chinese air force. This was confirmed by the China Central Television military channel.
The estimate of the entry of its operations had been set for the 2018. Six years after its first flight, the single-seater with technology stealth produced by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry is now operational and according to the Pentagon it is: "the first Chinese aircraft capable of penetrating heavily defended environments".
According to Beijing, the J-20 is in effect a fifth generation platform with characteristics and performance similar to the F-22 and F-35 produced by the American Lockheed Martin but the Pentagon has limited itself to considering it as the first long-range platform Chinese.
For the J-20, which clearly draws inspiration from its Russian, American and European 'counterparts' - MiG1.44, EFA-2000, Northrop YF-23 - at least six different variants have been provided: long-range interceptor, fighter and escort, attack on the ground, long-range reconnaissance, electronic attack and launch pad for anti-satellite missiles.
According to accredited sources, this 'Chinese fifth generation fighter', which today features Russian-made engines, will not reach its full potential until it is equipped with jet engines capable of offering similar performance to the Pratt & Whitney F119 and F135 uprights on American counterparts - this results in turbojets with a thrust-to-weight ratio of ten to one.
The J-20 should be able to carry, according to estimates, up to a maximum of four BVRAAM air-to-air missiles (beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile) and two AAM PL-10 short-range missiles. Its maximum speed has been declared of 2,100Km / h.
The first operational use of Chengdu J-20 will be in the 'warm' area of the South China Sea.
(see also: "China has the world's largest air force, after the US and Russia")
