Although we have always compared the Chinese J-20 fighter to the American F-22, due to the fact that the F-22 is an "out-of-print model" in the United States, the possibility of a head-to-head showdown between the two fighters is extremely low. However, the F-35, as the world's most produced fifth-generation fighter, is relatively likely to have a head-on confrontation with the J-20.
At the beginning of 2023, CCTV News released a paragraph about the "peak showdown" between the J-20 and the F-35, which marked the first confrontation between the two stealth fighters. ** There is no direct confirmation that the opponent's fighter is an F-35, but if you observe it clearly, you can make it clear that the J-20 is unveiled.
The advantages of the J-20 are obvious in the duel, the F-35 seems to be inadequate, and the US military may already be at a disadvantage. CCTV did not directly name the opponent's fighter as the F-35, but we can clearly see that we are dispatching J-20 fighters.
As can be seen from **, the J-20 showed a clear advantage, forcing the F-35 fighter pilots to quickly evacuate. This also makes people more convinced that this "head-on collision" involves these two fifth-generation fighters.
However, there are obvious differences in engine technology between the two, with the J-20 currently using two turbofan 10Cs, while the F-35 is powered by only one F135 engine.
The single-engine design of the F-35 makes it relatively flexible, and while it may be inferior in some performance aspects, its cost is relatively low. Considering that the cost of the F-35 is only $80 million to $90 million, which is almost comparable to some fourth-and-a-half-generation fighters, this is one of the reasons why the United States chose this design.
However, the single-engine design faces disadvantages in air combat, especially when facing twin-engine fighters of the same generation, and the shortcomings in this regard are even more obvious. Since the thrust level of the turbofan 10C is not comparable to that of the F135 engine, the J-20 has an advantage in both maneuverability and speed.
The disadvantage of the F-35 is not only in maneuverability, its maximum range is only about 2000 km, while the J-20 is almost twice as much. This means that the J-20 can not only easily maintain its superiority in the battle with the F-35, but also have more opportunities to launch missiles.
Therefore, both in terms of performance, maneuverability and range, the J-20 is significantly superior to the F-35. The opposing pilots apparently also recognized this and therefore chose to evacuate quickly and avoid a head-on confrontation.
This time, the showdown between the J-20 and the F-35 once again highlights China's great progress in the field of fighters. The excellent performance of the J-20 not only reflects the rapid development of China's first-class technology, but also means the rise of China in the field of fifth-generation fighters.
At the same time, the disadvantages shown by the US F-35, as the most important fifth-generation fighter at present, make people wonder where the US Air Force's superiority in the field of fighters still exists. Some might mention the F-22, but its production line has been shut down for more than a decade, making it difficult to recover.
In contrast, the mass production of the J-20 is progressing smoothly, and the future production is expected to surpass the F-35 and become the world's largest number of fifth-generation fighters. In addition, the J-20 may be equipped with more advanced turbofan 15 engines in the future, further improving the overall level and standing at the peak of the fifth generation fighter.
Therefore, we can confidently say that the absolute superiority of the US Air Force in the field of fighters has faded away. Re-examining this showdown between J-20 and F-35 is not only a demonstration of the strength of the Chinese industry, but also a change in the world's military pattern.
The J-20 vs. F-35 showdown has sparked a reassessment of the position of China and the United States in the field of fighter jets. As a stealth fighter independently developed by China, the J-20 not only performs well in performance, but also its mass production progress is eye-catching. The rapid development of the Chinese industry has not only improved the country's national defense strength, but also brought a new test to the international military balance.
In this showdown, although the F-35 is one of the world's most produced fifth-generation fighters, it is powerless in the face of the new design and powerful performance of the J-20. This has led to questions about the monopoly of American fighter technology. The U.S. military once dominated the international fighter market with its advanced technology and high cost, but the emergence of the J-20 has changed this pattern.
The success of the J-20 has played a symbolic role in improving the technical level of the Chinese industry. China's progress in fighter aircraft manufacturing is not only a technological leap, but also a reflection of China's strategic determination in scientific research and military modernization. This showdown has become a window for China to demonstrate its military industrial strength, and has attracted widespread attention from the international community to China's strength.
However, this showdown also reflects the intensity of international military competition. Countries are racing to develop and update fighter planes in an effort to achieve a breakthrough in air superiority. In this case, the showdown between the J-20 and the F-35 is only the tip of the iceberg of the contest between many fighters. In the future, the progress of fighter technology will continue to become the focus of international military competition, and the rise of the Chinese industry will play an increasingly important role in it.
In addition to the technical confrontation, this showdown also reflects the complexity of international relations to a certain extent. Comparisons of military power are often accompanied by geopolitical changes, and the confrontation between the J-20 and F-35 is to some extent a reflection of the rivalry between the two major military powers, China and the United States. How to maintain stability and balance in this competition has become a common challenge for the international community.
Overall, this showdown between J-20 and F-35 is not only a contest of technology, but also a microcosm of the evolution of the international military landscape. The rise of China's leading industry has injected new elements into a multipolar world, and has also raised more issues for future peace and stability. In these changing times, countries need to maintain an open dialogue and promote mutual development in order to build a more secure and prosperous future.
Obviously, the showdown between the J-20 and the F-35 is not only a contest between the performance of the two fighters, but also a contest of strength and technological innovation. This duel has inspired people to think about the development direction of future fighters. China's J-20 represents the progress of China's science and technology and independent research and development capabilities, and also highlights China's growing role in global military competition.
However, the contest between different countries in terms of fighter performance also represents a subtle change in the international military balance. With the progress of China's advanced technology and the R&D investment of fifth-generation fighters by other countries, international military strength and geopolitical relations are also evolving. This not only challenges the traditional model of arms race, but also prompts countries to pay more attention to military cooperation and diplomatic dialogue in order to maintain regional and world peace and stability.
The results of the confrontation between warplanes have also triggered the international community's in-depth thinking about military strategy and future war models. Technological development, stealth performance, and battlefield adaptability have become core topics in the design of future fighters. How to better adapt to the ever-changing battlefield environment, improve combat efficiency, and reduce risks is a challenge that all scientific research institutes need to face together.
In addition to the tactical aspects, for international relations and regional security, this showdown will also become a reference for future military competition and international political disputes. While safeguarding their own needs, all countries should pay attention to multilateral dialogue and cooperation, and work together to establish an international order of mutual respect, peace and stability.
In this era of change, the progress of military technology and the adjustment of international relations are complementary. In the future, we look forward to the joint efforts of all countries in technological innovation and international cooperation to make more positive contributions to global peace and security. This is not only a matter of national interest, but also an important issue for the future development of the world.