Eyes on the skies as China's J-20 fighter soars towards the future of air combat

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to modernize its military capabilities. In a bid to shape the future of air combat, the PLA is actively exploring the concept of manned-unmanned teaming for aerial platforms. Furthermore, it is committed to upgrading its formidable J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter. These developments, as revealed in the latest Pentagon report on China's military power, have raised eyebrows in defence circles around the world.

The Pentagon report, titled "Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China," highlights the PLA's ambitions to upgrade the J-20 Mighty Dragon. This advanced fifth-generation aircraft, introduced by China to counter the US Air Force's F-22 Raptor, has been the subject of continuous upgrades. The report mentions potential enhancements, including increasing air-to-air missile capacity, thrust-vectoring engine nozzles, and the addition of supercruise capability with indigenous WS-15 engines.   

The PLA Air Force (PLAAF) has embarked on an ambitious modernization journey. With over 3,150 total aircraft, including 2,400 combat aircraft (comprising fighters, strategic bombers, tactical bombers, multi-mission tactical, and attack aircraft), the PLAAF is steadily cementing its position as a formidable air force. The PLAAF's role is to serve as a comprehensive strategic air force capable of projecting long-range airpower.  

Mighty dragon's dominance  

The report underscores China's successful operation of the J-20 Mighty Dragon. This fifth-generation stealth fighter has become a symbol of China's aviation capabilities. Moreover, it introduces a two-seat variant of the J-20, a significant milestone in the realm of fighter jets. The debut of a two-seat variant opens doors to innovative possibilities, particularly in the realm of manned-unmanned teaming.  

This two-seat variant is expected to serve as a valuable asset for coordinating with drones. The capability of piloting "wingman" drones from the second seat of the J-20 holds the promise of enhanced reconnaissance, striking, and command missions. This approach aims to augment the fighter's firepower and operational range.  

The concept of manned-unmanned teaming is not unique to China; it has also gained momentum in the United States. China envisions the twin-seat J-20 as a key element in facilitating coordinated action between the manned fighter and remotely piloted autonomous aircraft.  

The power of innovative collaboration  

Strategic Benefits: The Pentagon report highlights the potential of manned-unmanned teaming between the twin-seat J-20 and drones. This approach can greatly enhance reconnaissance, striking, and command missions. The combination of a fighter jet and a drone swarm has the potential to revolutionize aerial operations.  

Amplified Firepower: Drone swarms can significantly enhance a fighter's firepower by carrying precision-guided missiles. Each drone can carry multiple missiles, making them formidable assets in combat scenarios. Moreover, this approach extends the operational range of the J-20 and its ability to engage in early-warning missions and battlefield surveillance.  

Rising competitions  

The United States is not resting on its laurels. In response to the growing capabilities of the J-20 and similar platforms, the US Air Force is developing the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. This highly classified weapon system, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is designed to counter emerging threats. Although it was announced in 2019 with an initial operational date set for 2022, there have been limited updates on its status.  

The Pentagon report also provides a glimpse into China's ambitions in naval aviation. The development of the FC-31/J-31, a fifth-generation carrier-based aircraft, is on the horizon. It is speculated to serve as a future naval fighter for China's next class of aircraft carriers.  

Stealth aircraft evolution  

The J-20 Mighty Dragon and FC-31/J-31 are categorized as fifth-generation aircraft, representing the pinnacle of Chinese aviation technology. The J-20 made its debut in 2010 and has since seen a substantial increase in production. Recent reports suggest that China's J-20A stealth fighter inventory is set to surpass the US Air Force's F-22 Raptor inventory. The use of state-of-the-art production lines is enabling China to accelerate the delivery of these formidable stealth aircraft.  

China's expanding stealth aircraft capabilities have caught the attention of global defence experts. As tensions in various regions continue to rise, the rapid production and deployment of stealth aircraft raises concerns about the potential for armed conflicts. China's military ambitions in the realm of aviation are increasingly evident. The upgrades to the J-20 Mighty Dragon and the exploration of manned-unmanned teaming represent critical steps in reshaping the future of air combat. As China continues to expand its stealth aircraft inventory, the world watches with a mix of anticipation and apprehension, recognizing the profound impact of these developments on the global military landscape.