Third, the much-hyped F-22 Raptor of the United States and the J-20 Mighty Dragon are another focal point as friction concerning Taiwan is growing. These two have a lot to contend for air supremacy, so understanding the comparative strengths and weaknesses of these fifth-generation fighters is much needed.
The J-20 is an answer to the US’s F-22 and F-35; it has impressive range and speed.
It can go 1,000 nautical miles on internal fuel, more than doubling the range of the F-22.
Its newly developed WS-15 engines produce slightly more thrust than the F119s that power the F-22, and it can cruise up to Mach 2.55 compared to the Raptor’s Mach 2.0.
It has a more extensive missile load capacity with space for six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9X Sidewinders, as opposed to only four BVR and WVR missiles on the J-20.
It’s equipped with a gun, which the J-20 allegedly is not. That can make all the difference for any mission at close range where missiles have proven unreliable.
The proven reliability and the huge experience of the U.S. Air Force with its maintenance and operation further improve the position of the F-22.
General Kenneth Wilsbach, head of U.S. Air Forces Pacific, said that the J-20 is yet not a dominating airplane compared to the F-22.
The J-20 has much potential but the F-22’s already established capabilities and strategic air superiority still provide a huge advantage for the U.S.
Meanwhile, the F-16 Fighting Falcon-one of the most loved birds ever to have leaves a legacy that says a lot about how air combat has evolved.
Emerging as a game-changer in the 1970s, the F-16 was designed around agility as well as cost-effectiveness the brilliant Energy Maneuverability Theory, which had such surprising results by making maneuverability supersede raw power in design.
The fly-by-wire control system on the F-16 was revolutionary at the time of its introduction. Indeed, the fly-by-wire control system allowed an inherently unstable design that was highly aerobatic in capabilities.
The U.S. takes steps forward in the further development of its air combat capabilities, yet with F-22 and J-20 stealth fighters, they present the state of the art for stealth fighter technology.
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