Chengdu J-20
The Chengdu J-20 is China’s first operational stealth fighter, built around a large canard-delta airframe with internal weapons bays. Its size and range suggest an emphasis on long-range interception and counter-air missions rather than purely short-range dogfighting. The first aircraft entered service in the late 2010s, making China the second country to field an indigenous stealth fighter. Much of its sensor suite and performance remains classified, but the angular fuselage and forward canards are unmistakable.
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Did you know?
Its angular fuselage, forward canards and internal weapons bays mark China's first stealth fighter, distinct from any earlier Chengdu design.
Specifications
| Length | 20.4 m (67 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 13.5 m (44 ft) |
| Height | 4.5 m (15 ft) |
| Persons on board | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 37 t |
| Range | 1,200 NM (2,222 km) |
| Maximum speed | 1,300 kt (2,408 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 66,000 ft (20,117 m) |
| Fuel capacity | 11,340 l |
| Engines | 2x WS-10C |
| Units built | 55 |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Chengdu J-20 starts as a Legendary catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you. The first catch of a legendary type pays a bonus of its own.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Chengdu, the J-20 family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
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