Photo: GT staff reporters

 
The J-20, making its first static display at the recently held 2025 Changchun Airshow, was undoubtedly one of the most spotlighted Air Force assets. Its "close contact" with the general public also demonstrates the confidence of a major power's air force. On Saturday, Gong Feng, Chief Technical Expert of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Deputy Chief Designer at the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute, introduced the unique advantages of this aerial asset beside the statically displayed J-20. Gong said that the J-20 possesses outstanding stealth capabilities, with an extremely small radar cross-section and excellent infrared characteristics, allowing it to "pierce the opponent's defense network like a needle."

"The J-20 is China's first cross-generation stealth fighter aircraft, with numerous cross-generational features," Gong said. Beyond its excellent stealth performance, he noted that the J-20 also has exceptional standalone combat capabilities. It not only flies far, with a combat radius significantly superior to fourth-generation aircraft, but also sees far, being equipped with an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that greatly increases target detection range compared to fourth-generation aircraft.

"The J-20 also sees accurately, achieving deep integration of multiple types of sensors and fusion of multi-source, multi-dimensional situational awareness for precise target identification. Furthermore, it hits far and accurately; the air-to-air missiles it carries have a long strike range, and its highly intelligent and precise attack management system significantly increases the success rate of strikes compared to fourth-generation aircraft," Gong said.

Additionally, Gong said that the J-20 has strong systematic combat capabilities. The J-20 aircraft can form a combat system with various other assets, such as early warning aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), achieving a leap from standalone combat to coordinated system-of-systems operations.

"The entry of the J-20 aircraft into service has enabled our Air Force to transition from a traditional defensive operational mode to an operational mode that incorporates both offense and defense—capable of holding the line and projecting power," Gong said. He believes that the J-20's exceptional standalone and system-of-systems combat capabilities have spurred a series of new operational styles and usage patterns for the Air Force, greatly enriching tactical methods and enhancing mission success rates.

At the recent September 3 military parade, China's independently developed new-type stealth multirole fighter, the J-20S aircraft, made its debut. This variant features a tandem two-seat cockpit, and the induction of the J-20S is believed to be set to reshape rules and fundamentally change the future battlefield. As the world's first two-seat stealth fifth-generation fighter, the J-20S is not merely about adding a seat but adds a "brain," enabling better command and coordination of UAV operations.

The issue of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) has always been a hot topic of interest. Gong stated that the appearance of the two-seat J-20 at the September 3 parade, and the capabilities possessed by its rear cockpit, have sparked enthusiastic discussion among military fans. "The expectations of military fans are also the goals we strive and work towards. Let's wait and see," he said.