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| Image: CAC |
Beijing, January 31 - The Chengdu J-20A stealth fighter, China's premier fifth-generation air superiority platform, has achieved a pivotal milestone with successful flights powered by the indigenous WS-15 turbofan engines. This development resolves one of the program's longstanding limitations, as earlier production variants relied on interim WS-10 engines or Russian AL-31 units that fell short of the aircraft's original design specifications. Recent imagery from Chengdu Aircraft Corporation depicts a J-20A in yellow primer, a marking often linked to pre-delivery validation, demonstrating exhaust nozzle configurations characteristic of the WS-15. These flights mark the transition from prototype testing to production-standard integration, enabling the J-20A to realize its full performance potential in high-altitude, high-speed regimes.
The WS-15, developed over decades by the Aero Engine Corporation of China, delivers significantly higher thrust, estimated in prototypes at up to 180 kN with afterburner, compared to prior options. This upgrade enhances supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburner use, while improving acceleration, climb rate, and overall energy maneuverability. Greater thrust-to-weight ratios, advanced materials like single-crystal turbine blades, and superior thermal management contribute to extended range, reduced infrared signature, and increased electrical power generation for onboard systems. These attributes position the J-20A as a more formidable asset in contested airspace, supporting long-range engagements and multi-domain operations.
Comparisons to the U.S. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor are inevitable, given both aircraft's roles as dedicated air dominance fighters with stealth design and supercruise features. The F-22, powered by twin Pratt & Whitney F119 engines, set the benchmark for fifth-generation propulsion with exceptional thrust vectoring and efficiency. While the WS-15 narrows the technological disparity by providing comparable thrust levels and reliability advancements, the J-20A benefits from ongoing refinements in avionics, sensor fusion, and weapon integration. This evolution strengthens China's strategic air capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where air superiority remains critical.
With serial production of WS-15-equipped J-20A variants underway, the People's Liberation Army Air Force stands to field an increasingly potent fleet. This milestone underscores China's progress in achieving aerospace self-reliance, overcoming historical engine development challenges to produce a stealth fighter that approaches peer-level performance against established benchmarks like the F-22 Raptor. As upgrades continue, the J-20 program solidifies its role in modern aerial warfare dynamics.