Aircraft & UAVs

Chengdu J-20

The Chengdu J-20 is China's twin-engine stealth air-superiority fighter built by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the PLAAF. Public references place its first flight in 2011 and official service commissioning in 2017, and list it with PL-10, PL-12, and PL-15 missiles plus LS-6 guided bombs.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Chengdu J-20, Stealth air superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: File:J-20 fighter (44040541250) (cropped).jpg

Profile

Origin: China
Built by: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
Type: Stealth air superiority fighter
Service note: 2010s-present
Produced: 2015-present
Variants: J-20, J-20A, J-20B, J-20S

Also Known As

J-20
Weilong
Mighty Dragon
Fagin

fighter aircraft stealthair superioritymultirole

Specifications

Crew: 1
Length: 66.9 ft (20.4 m)
Wingspan: 44.3 ft (13.5 m)
Max takeoff weight: 81,600 lb (37,000 kg)
Maximum speed: Mach 2
Combat range: 1,080 nautical miles (2,000 km)
Ceiling: 65,617 ft (20,000 m)
Power plant: 2 x WS-10B, WS-10C, AL31FM2, or WS-15 turbofans
Armament: PL-10, PL-12, and PL-15 air-to-air missiles; LS-6 guided bombs

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Officially commissioned into PLAAF service in 2017; active as China's frontline stealth fighter
Used by: People's Liberation Army Air Force

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified
Role: In-service stealth fighter

Public references identify the J-20 as an active PLAAF stealth fighter commissioned in 2017, but do not tie it to a named post-2015 combat theater.

Timeline

Chengdu J-20 Key Events

Jan 11, 2011
First flight
The J-20 completed its first test flight in Chengdu in January 2011.
Sources: Does China's J-20 Rival Other Stealth Fighters?
Sep 28, 2017
Commissioned into service
China's defense ministry officially commissioned the J-20 into military service in 2017.
Sources: Does China's J-20 Rival Other Stealth Fighters?

Chengdu J-20 Images

Chengdu J-20, Stealth air superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: File:J-20 fighter (cropped).jpg

Chengdu J-20, Stealth air superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: File:Chengdu J-20.svg

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Sources

J-20 Technical DataPublisher: Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies | Note: Supports manufacturer background, technical data, and Various Conflicts direct fielding: the page lists Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group as contractor, the PLAAF as operator, IOC in 2017, and the J-20's dimensions, propulsion, range, ceiling, and missile fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 Does China's J-20 Rival Other Stealth Fighters?Publisher: CSIS ChinaPower | Note: Supports origin/background and the service timeline; ChinaPower describes the J-20 as the first Chinese aircraft to fit the fifth-generation fighter description and records first flight in 2011 and official commissioning into military service in 2017. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 File:J-20 fighter (44040541250) (cropped).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary J-20 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 File:J-20 fighter (cropped).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the gallery J-20 image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26 File:Chengdu J-20.svgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the gallery J-20 silhouette image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26