Very clear image of a Chinese twin-seat J-20 5th Gen stealth fighter prototype with WS-10C engines. This is significant, as this would be the world’s first dual-seat stealth fighter where the WSO/CSO would be in charge of not only navigation and weapons handling, but likely the command of loyal wingman #drone systems as well. Photos of the #aircraft with untreated composite and primer (yellow color) began appearing online in October.
See leaked images below…
While the F-22 was initially intended to be developed into a twin seat fighter, and eventually also a strike fighter as the FB-22, these programs were cancelled when production of the fighter was prematurely terminated in 2011 as a result of the fighter’s extremely high lifetime costs. Where the U.S. was unable to develop the Raptor further, China appears to have ambitious plans for the J-20 which will take the design well ahead of its rivals. According to recent reports from Chinese state media outlet CCTV, these include development into both strike and electronic attack jets for the PLA Air Force. Also planned is the integration of a range of new technologies from artificial intelligence to WS-15 next generation engines. An improved version of the single seat J-20, the J-20B, notably entered production in mid-2020 although the exact capabilities and features that will have remain unknown. The design has already improved considerably since entering service in 2017, with the most recent variants to enter service designated J-20A and using improved engines.
Very clear image of a Chinese twin-seat J-20 5th Gen stealth fighter prototype with WS-10C engines. This is significant, as this would be the world’s first dual-seat stealth fighter where the WSO/CSO would be in charge of not only navigation and weapons handling, but likely the command of loyal wingman #drone systems as well. Photos of the #aircraft with untreated composite and primer (yellow color) began appearing online in October.
China Has not yet commented on expectations of production.
