Fifteen years after the first flight, the Chengdu J-20 project has undergone a transformation well beyond the original requirement to design an air superiority platform. The current iteration, the two-seater J-20S, is not only being marketed as a stealth aircraft but also as a forward-deployed tactical command platform with an increased focus on maritime strikes. It is clear that the ultimate goal is to network the aircraft with a combat system that incorporates both crewed and unmanned platforms.
J-20S is the first stealth two-seat combat aircraft to see active service worldwide, with its two-seat variant offering advantages beyond those of pilot training versatility. By sharing tasks between the front-seat pilot and the back-seat weapons systems officer, the aircraft can execute complex tasks requiring high levels of intellectual capacity. These tasks involve commanding “loyal wingmen” drones, directing other aircraft, and performing electronic warfare operations, while also being able to intercept and strike with precision like the rest of the J-20 family of stealth aircraft.
On the outside, it has enhancements that made its first appearance on its upgraded version, the J-20A. It includes a redesigned nose section to accommodate a high-grade active electronically scanned array radar that could utilize gallium nitride to increase its power efficiency. It also has a more advanced electro-optical targeting system that has a 360-degree view. It now has a darker version of its low-observable paint.
In terms of operational roles, the two-seater is being developed as a “bridge” between manned fighter jets and UAVs. It has been described by Chinese military analysts as having the role of a “quarterback” in battle, coordinating attack and surveillance missions with UAVs. This is similar to the role that is being developed for Collaborative Combat Aircraft by the US military, in which case crewed fighter jets would command autonomous platforms. In the case of the J-20S, the second crewman can handle such platforms while the first crewman flies and fights.
However, the most dramatic development may be the rumored inclusion of naval strike operations, a task that has long been the purview of the conventional Xi’an JH-7A. The stealth design, range, and two-man crew of the J-20S make it an ideal asset for engaging high-value targets at long range against naval forces. Although the exact armament of the J-20S in an anti-ship role has not been publicly disclosed, the inclusion of such a capability would certainly fit within China’s overall development of its aerial maritime strike forces, which have already incorporated hypersonic missiles and upgraded bombers.
It appears from recent imagery that the J-20S may have already been deployed or will soon be deployed with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s 172nd Air Brigade. The 172nd Air Brigade is a unit that specializes in tactics for newly developed aircraft. The J-20S will be under a central theater command in mainland China and will be able to affect operations both inland and coastal. The J-20S’s versatility in being able to accomplish multiple missions is a departure from traditional stealth aircraft.
In terms of strategy, the J-20S also adds a new dynamic to China’s anti-access/area denial strategy. When combined with China’s anti-ship ballistic missile, such as the DF-27, it may pose a challenge to U.S. and other maritime forces operating in the Western Pacific. This is due to their ability to integrate manned and unmanned networks from a stealth aircraft. This will improve their survival and reach. Though the J-20 series remains untested in combat, the speed of its development is a clear indicator of the speed of the aerospace development of the People’s Republic of China. In this regard, the J-20S demonstrates the paradigm shift towards network-centric warfare and multi-domain operations. In this case, the two-seater ‘Mighty Dragon’ aircraft will not only be a fighting machine but will possibly transform the way stealth aircraft are deployed in the 21st century.
