A significant moment in Chinese military aviation has been marked by the recent emergence of the first detailed photograph of the J-20 stealth fighter launching a PL-10 missile.
China’s first indigenously developed fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20, also known as the “Mighty Dragon,” is a significant milestone in its military aviation capabilities. The aircraft, which was developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, conducted its inaugural flight in January 2011 and was formally introduced into service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in March 2017. The J-20 had commenced combat training by September of the same year, and its initial operational unit was established in February 2018, thereby inaugurating a new era in Chinese military aerospace technology.
This image, which was shared on social media by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, illustrates the missile being launched from the aircraft’s right-side internal weapons bay. This feature has been the subject of considerable interest since its initial appearance at an airshow in 2018.
The image that was recently released is suspected to be a high-resolution frame that was extracted from a one-second video footage that was previously circulated and showed the missile launch. This implies that the J-20 has likely conducted numerous missile launches, although only a small number have been publicly documented.
The PL-10 is a short-range air-to-air missile that is intended to be installed within the internal compartments of the J-20. The J-20’s launch mechanism is unique; in contrast to other fifth-generation fighters, which maintain their bays open until launch, the J-20’s design enables a more efficient process in which the missile extends outward as the bay door closes. This could enable faster deployments in situations where stealth is less important, such as close-range engagements.
The PL-10 is particularly engineered for these side internal bays, as larger missiles such as the PL-15 would not fit, as evidenced by the image and video. The PL-10 is equipped with an infrared seeker and can be integrated with helmet-mounted cueing systems to improve its targeting capabilities during combat.
The operational capabilities and stealth profile of the Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter are improved by the internal armament bay design, which incorporates a number of innovative features.
The J-20 is equipped with a primary internal armament bay that can accommodate both short-range (e.g., PL-10) and long-range air-to-air missiles (e.g., PL-15, PL-21). The primary bay’s dimensions are approximately 4.5 to 4.7 meters in length, 2 to 2.2 meters in breadth, and 0.66 to 0.8 meters in depth, which enables a versatile payload capacity.
The J-20 is equipped with two smaller lateral bays, which are situated behind the air inlets and are expressly designed for short-range missiles such as the PL-10, in addition to the main bay. This configuration enables a more efficient design and aids in the preservation of secrecy during operations.
The design’s low radar cross-section (RCS) is contributed to by features such as a flat fuselage floor and sawtooth edges on compartment doors. The capacity to close the port doors prior to launching missiles reduces radar visibility, thereby improving stealth during combat scenarios.
The J-20’s distinctive launch mechanism enables missiles to be dispersed rapidly. In scenarios where stealth is less critical, such as dogfights, the missile launcher extends outward as the bay door closes, facilitating swift engagement. This is in contrast to other fifth-generation fighters, which continue to retract their launchers until they are prepared for use.
Advanced avionics systems, such as an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and electro-optical targeting systems, are integrated with the internal armament bays. During combat missions, these systems improve situational awareness and targeting accuracy.
The J-20 has the capacity to internally transport a variety of missile types, enabling it to adjust its armament in accordance with the mission’s needs. For example, the main berth can accommodate up to four medium or long-range AAMs, while the side bays are employed for short-range engagements.
By combining these design features, the J-20 is capable of effectively performing in air superiority roles while simultaneously prioritizing stealth and rapid response capabilities during combat operations.
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