Shenyang J-XX
Encyclopedia
J-XX J-X, and XXJ are names applied by Western intelligence
sources to describe program(s) by the People's Republic of China
to develop one or more fourth (by Chinese nomenclature) or fifth-generation
fighter aircraft
(by west). In a 2009 television interview, He Weirong (何为荣), deputy commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
, stated that China had multiple such programs underway and that an as-yet-undesignated fifth-generation fighter developed jointly by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
would be in service by 2017–2019. The maiden flight of the Chengdu J-20
stealth fighter was conducted on January 11, 2011.
reported that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
had been selected to head research and development
of the new fighter, a claim repeated in New Scientist
the same week. However, a 2006 article in Military Technology referred to three designs; two by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and one by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
According to the report from Jane's, development of the subsystems, including the engine
and weapon suite for the next generation fighter, has been under way for some time. A photograph of a wind tunnel model
published with the article showed a twin-engine aircraft with twin vertical tail fins. The article text mentioned that the aircraft would carry its weapons internally like the F-22 Raptor
. New Scientist called attention to the angular, faceted features of the design, comparing them to the F-117 Nighthawk
. Jane's also linked the programme with China's development of an engine with thrust vectoring
capability.
The later report in Military Technology featured a picture of a completely different design, speculatively dubbed J-14 and said to be a Shenyang project, with the designations J-12 and J-13 being applied to (possibly competing) designs by Shenyang and Chengdu respectively. Since 2009, Chinese internet comments have repeatedly pointed to a merging of the two efforts, to be named J-14. Chengdu is rumored to be responsible for the airframe, while Shenyang focuses on the engines and other components.
In November 2009 He Weirong (何为荣), deputy commander of the Chinese air force, confirmed that "intense" research and development work on the fifth generation stealth fighter was ongoing. Being developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the aircraft has not yet been given a designation but is expected to be unveiled within the next 5 years and would enter service by 2015, according to Weirong. Another source quotes Weirong as saying the aircraft would enter service within 8 years, giving possible in-service dates of 2017 to 2019.
A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency official commenting on Gen. He's claims stated the DIA believes a first flight of the J-XX "will occur in the next few years", but it is also believed that operational deployment of the fighter "in meaningful numbers" will not take place "for about 10 years." U.S. Air Force
and U.S. intelligence officials have stated their belief that China likely has all the resources, data and technology required to build a fifth generation fighter. However, doubts remain on whether China has enough knowledge in areas such as systems engineering
, integration and production processes to build a fighter comparable to U.S. stealth designs which can also be produced in large numbers. It is speculated that the fighter may not be an "all-aspect" stealth design by some sources, for this reason. The U.S. Department of Defense expects China to have a handful of fifth generation fighters in service between 2020 and 2025, according to statements made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in July 2009. However, a year later, in May 2010, this statement was rebuffed by the US' prime intelligence producer—Ulman stating that Chinese 5th generation fighter jets will be expected around 2018. In 2011 Gates changed his position to state that the Chinese may have 50 stealth fighters by 2020 and a couple of hundred by 2025 while the United States would have 850 and 1500 by those dates.
which incorporates stealth
, supercruise
, super-maneuverability
and short take-off capabilities, abbreviated "4S". One or more of the proposed designs are believed to incorporate several design features for increasing stealth and maneuverability while decreasing weight and drag.
The Chinese state television broadcaster China Central Television
(CCTV) asserts:
A V-shaped pelikan tail
could be implemented, replacing conventional vertical tail fins and horizontal stabiliser structures. This would be beneficial for reduction of radar signature, weight and aerodynamic drag, since control surface area and corresponding control mechanisms are reduced. Problems faced by this type of design are flight control system complexity and control surface loading. If the pelikan tail is adopted, use of engines with thrust vector control may alleviate these problems.
CCTV also asserts:
The new fighter may have a significantly longer fuselage than other fifth generation fighter designs, such as the F-22, for reduction of transonic and supersonic drag. A trapezoidal wing may be implemented for reduction of drag and radar signature. Use of an 's'-shaped air inlet and boundary layer separation system would greatly reduce radar signature.
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
sources to describe program(s) by the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
to develop one or more fourth (by Chinese nomenclature) or fifth-generation
Fifth generation jet fighter
A fifth-generation jet fighter is a fighter aircraft classification used in the United States encompassing the most advanced generation of fighter aircraft...
fighter aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
(by west). In a 2009 television interview, He Weirong (何为荣), deputy commander of the People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...
, stated that China had multiple such programs underway and that an as-yet-undesignated fifth-generation fighter developed jointly by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is a Chinese civilian and military aircraft manufacturer located in Shenyang. Founded in 1953, it is one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the People's Republic of China. Many aircraft manufacturers in China such as Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group or Guizhou...
would be in service by 2017–2019. The maiden flight of the Chengdu J-20
Chengdu J-20
The Chengdu J-20 is a purported fifth-generation, stealth, twin-engine fighter aircraft prototype developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force . In late 2010, the J-20 underwent high speed taxiing tests. The J-20 made its first flight on 11...
stealth fighter was conducted on January 11, 2011.
History
In 2002, Jane's Defence WeeklyJane's Defence Weekly
Jane's Defence Weekly is a weekly magazine reporting on military and corporate affairs, edited by Peter Felstead. It is one of a number of military-related publications named after John F. T. Jane, an Englishman who first published Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships in 1898...
reported that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation is a Chinese civilian and military aircraft manufacturer located in Shenyang. Founded in 1953, it is one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the People's Republic of China. Many aircraft manufacturers in China such as Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group or Guizhou...
had been selected to head research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
of the new fighter, a claim repeated in New Scientist
New Scientist
New Scientist is a weekly non-peer-reviewed English-language international science magazine, which since 1996 has also run a website, covering recent developments in science and technology for a general audience. Founded in 1956, it is published by Reed Business Information Ltd, a subsidiary of...
the same week. However, a 2006 article in Military Technology referred to three designs; two by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and one by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
According to the report from Jane's, development of the subsystems, including the engine
Jet engine
A jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
and weapon suite for the next generation fighter, has been under way for some time. A photograph of a wind tunnel model
Wind tunnel
A wind tunnel is a research tool used in aerodynamic research to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.-Theory of operation:Wind tunnels were first proposed as a means of studying vehicles in free flight...
published with the article showed a twin-engine aircraft with twin vertical tail fins. The article text mentioned that the aircraft would carry its weapons internally like the F-22 Raptor
F-22 Raptor
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals...
. New Scientist called attention to the angular, faceted features of the design, comparing them to the F-117 Nighthawk
F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...
. Jane's also linked the programme with China's development of an engine with thrust vectoring
Thrust vectoring
Thrust vectoring, also thrust vector control or TVC, is the ability of an aircraft, rocket or other vehicle to manipulate the direction of the thrust from its engine or motor in order to control the attitude or angular velocity of the vehicle....
capability.
The later report in Military Technology featured a picture of a completely different design, speculatively dubbed J-14 and said to be a Shenyang project, with the designations J-12 and J-13 being applied to (possibly competing) designs by Shenyang and Chengdu respectively. Since 2009, Chinese internet comments have repeatedly pointed to a merging of the two efforts, to be named J-14. Chengdu is rumored to be responsible for the airframe, while Shenyang focuses on the engines and other components.
In November 2009 He Weirong (何为荣), deputy commander of the Chinese air force, confirmed that "intense" research and development work on the fifth generation stealth fighter was ongoing. Being developed by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the aircraft has not yet been given a designation but is expected to be unveiled within the next 5 years and would enter service by 2015, according to Weirong. Another source quotes Weirong as saying the aircraft would enter service within 8 years, giving possible in-service dates of 2017 to 2019.
A U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency official commenting on Gen. He's claims stated the DIA believes a first flight of the J-XX "will occur in the next few years", but it is also believed that operational deployment of the fighter "in meaningful numbers" will not take place "for about 10 years." U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and U.S. intelligence officials have stated their belief that China likely has all the resources, data and technology required to build a fifth generation fighter. However, doubts remain on whether China has enough knowledge in areas such as systems engineering
Systems engineering
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering projects should be designed and managed over the life cycle of the project. Issues such as logistics, the coordination of different teams, and automatic control of machinery become more...
, integration and production processes to build a fighter comparable to U.S. stealth designs which can also be produced in large numbers. It is speculated that the fighter may not be an "all-aspect" stealth design by some sources, for this reason. The U.S. Department of Defense expects China to have a handful of fifth generation fighters in service between 2020 and 2025, according to statements made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in July 2009. However, a year later, in May 2010, this statement was rebuffed by the US' prime intelligence producer—Ulman stating that Chinese 5th generation fighter jets will be expected around 2018. In 2011 Gates changed his position to state that the Chinese may have 50 stealth fighters by 2020 and a couple of hundred by 2025 while the United States would have 850 and 1500 by those dates.
Design
The general design concept of the J-XX is that of a fifth-generation fighterFifth generation jet fighter
A fifth-generation jet fighter is a fighter aircraft classification used in the United States encompassing the most advanced generation of fighter aircraft...
which incorporates stealth
Stealth aircraft
Stealth aircraft are aircraft that use stealth technology to avoid detection by employing a combination of features to interfere with radar as well as reduce visibility in the infrared, visual, audio, and radio frequency spectrum. Development of stealth technology likely began in Germany during...
, supercruise
Supercruise
Supercruise is sustained supersonic flight of an aircraft with a useful cargo, passenger, or weapons load performed efficiently and without the use of afterburners ....
, super-maneuverability
Supermaneuverability
Supermaneuverability is the quality of aircraft defined as a threshold of attitude control exceeding that which is possible by pure aerodynamic maneuverability; in other words, a controlled loss of control beyond normal abilities...
and short take-off capabilities, abbreviated "4S". One or more of the proposed designs are believed to incorporate several design features for increasing stealth and maneuverability while decreasing weight and drag.
The Chinese state television broadcaster China Central Television
China Central Television
China Central Television or Chinese Central Television, commonly abbreviated as CCTV, is the major state television broadcaster in mainland China. CCTV has a network of 19 channels broadcasting different programmes and is accessible to more than one billion viewers...
(CCTV) asserts:
A V-shaped pelikan tail
Pelikan tail
The Pelikan tail is an experimental tail design for fighter jets. Originally conceived by Ralph Pelikan, who was hired by McDonnell Aircraft, later worked for McDonnell Douglas and after another merger, retired from Boeing. His design has not to date been incorporated into any publicly available...
could be implemented, replacing conventional vertical tail fins and horizontal stabiliser structures. This would be beneficial for reduction of radar signature, weight and aerodynamic drag, since control surface area and corresponding control mechanisms are reduced. Problems faced by this type of design are flight control system complexity and control surface loading. If the pelikan tail is adopted, use of engines with thrust vector control may alleviate these problems.
CCTV also asserts:
The new fighter may have a significantly longer fuselage than other fifth generation fighter designs, such as the F-22, for reduction of transonic and supersonic drag. A trapezoidal wing may be implemented for reduction of drag and radar signature. Use of an 's'-shaped air inlet and boundary layer separation system would greatly reduce radar signature.