In modern warfare, air supremacy is one of the key factors that determine victory or defeat. In order to gain superiority in air power, countries are constantly developing and updating the technology and performance of fighters, especially the fifth-generation fighter, as the most advanced type of fighter, which has attracted global attention and competition. At present, only three countries in the world, China, the United States and Russia have successfully developed and installed fifth-generation aircraft, namely China's J-20, the United States' F-22 and F-35, and Russia's Su-57. These fighters all have the characteristics of high stealth, high maneuverability, high speed, and high firepower, but there are obvious differences in range. This article will compare the range performance of these fighters and analyze the advantages and significance of the Chinese J-20.
The United States is the first country in the world to develop and install fifth-generation aircraft, and has two fifth-generation aircraft, namely the F-22 and F-35. The F-22 is the main fighter of the U.S. Air Force, known for its excellent comprehensive performance and advanced technology, and is considered one of the most powerful fighters in the world at present. The F-35 is a multi-role fighter developed by Lockheed Martin in the United States, which aims to replace a variety of old fighters of the United States and its allies and become the future air supremacy.
However, the fifth-generation aircraft of the United States are not flawless, and they all have shortcomings in terms of range. The F-22 has a maximum range of 3,000 kilometers and a combat radius of 759 kilometers, which is somewhat insufficient compared to other fifth-generation aircraft. And the F-35, although slightly higher than the F-22, has a range of only 3100 kilometers and a combat radius of 1080 kilometers, which is still not outstanding. This means that the fifth-generation aircraft of the United States need to rely on in-flight refueling or transit bases when fighting long-range, which increases the risk and cost of operations.
In addition to range, the United States also faces other problems with fifth-generation aircraft. Due to the export ban and high manufacturing costs, only 195 F-22s were produced, which is far from enough to meet the needs of the US Air Force. The F-35, on the other hand, has a variety of failures and accidents due to its complex design and development process, resulting in high costs and unsatisfactory performance. Although the fifth-generation aircraft of the United States is ahead in technology, it has also fallen into the predicament of pioneers, and it is difficult to get rid of various restrictions and troubles.
Russia is the second country after the United States to develop a fifth-generation aircraft, and its fifth-generation aircraft is the Su-57, which is also the only twin-engine fifth-generation aircraft in the world. The Su-57 has a clear advantage in terms of range, with a maximum range of 4,300 kilometers and a combat radius of 1,200 kilometers, which is not small compared to the American F-22 and F-35. The range advantage of the Su-57 allows it to perform tasks at greater distances, increasing its operational flexibility and efficiency.
In addition to the range, the Su-57 also has other advantages, such as advanced avionics equipment, radar systems and carrying capacity, making it have a strong confrontation capability in air combat. Moreover, the Su-57 is also much lower than the American fifth-generation aircraft, which is said to cost only 3$500 million, while the F-22 and F-35 have a ** of 1$500 million and 1$100 million. This makes the Su-57 highly competitive in the market and has attracted the attention and interest of many countries.
However, the Su-57 is also not without its drawbacks, it leaves much to be desired in terms of stealth performance, and its radar cross-sectional area (RCS) is 01 square meter, much higher than the F-22 00001 square meters and 35 of the F-0005 square meters. This means that the Su-57 is more easily detected by the enemy in the air, reducing its survivability. In addition, the development and production process of the Su-57 has also encountered many difficulties and delays, and only a small number of Su-57s have been delivered to the Russian Air Force, and large-scale deployment has not yet been formed. Although Russia's fifth-generation aircraft has made a breakthrough in range, it is also facing challenges from latecomers and needs to be constantly refined and improved.
China is the third country after the United States and Russia to develop a fifth-generation aircraft, and its fifth-generation aircraft is the J-20, which is also one of the newest fifth-generation aircraft in the world. The J-20 has an excellent performance in terms of range, with a maximum range of up to 5,500 kilometers and a combat radius of 2,000 kilometers, which is unparalleled among fighters of its class. The range performance of the J-20 allows it to perform missions in a wider airspace, covering most of China's territory and sea areas, and can even reach places such as the United States and Okinawa in Japan, which is of great significance for safeguarding the country's sovereignty and security.
The J-20 not only has advantages in range, but also has excellent performance in other aspects, such as high stealth, high maneuverability, high speed, high firepower, etc., making it have strong combat effectiveness and deterrence in the air. The stealth performance of the J-20 is superior to that of the Su-57, and its RCS is 005 square meters, close to the level of the F-35. The maneuverability of the J-20 is not inferior to that of the F-22, with a maximum overload of 10G and a maximum angle of attack of 35 degrees. The speed of the J-20 also reached 2Mach 5, which is more than 35 of the F-1Mach 6. The firepower of the J-20 is also very powerful, its built-in ** cabin can carry 6 air-to-air missiles, the external hardpoint can carry 4 air-to-surface missiles or anti-ship missiles, and can even carry nuclear warheads to inflict a devastating blow on the enemy. The successful development and installation of the J-20 marks China's emergence in modern air power and has made positive contributions to the rapid development of national defense capabilities.
By comparing the range performance of the fifth-generation aircraft of China, the United States and Russia, we can see that China's J-20 has obvious advantages in this regard, surpassing the fighters of the same level in the United States and Russia. The range advantage of the J-20 not only reflects China's progress and innovation in aviation technology, but also reflects China's vision and determination in national strategy. The range advantage of the J-20 enables it to perform tasks on a larger scale, protect the country's territory and interests, and also provide strong support and guarantee for China to play a greater role and influence in the international arena. The range advantage of the J-20 is also a highlight of China's fifth-generation aircraft, making it one of the strongest fighters in its class.