Although the spotlight yesterday, December 26, was on the new and mysterious stealth aircraft unveiled by China’s aerospace industry, another significant milestone took place. During its test flight, the new aircraft was escorted by the new two-seater version of the fifth-generation J-20 fighter of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), officially designated as the J-20S.
Last November, during the Zhuhai Airshow, the aerospace industry officially unveiled several of its latest and most advanced combat aircraft development programs. One of the most significant milestones of the exhibition was the AVIC stand, which officially showcased the first fifth-generation two-seater fighter, based on the Chengdu J-20 of the PLAAF.
Officially designated as the J-20S, it is a two-seater version of the J-20 fighter currently in service with the Chinese Air Force. This is no small feat, as it represents the first fifth-generation two-seater aircraft in development. To date, neither the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 nor Russia’s Su-57 Felon have such a variant.
While such versions have traditionally been focused on pilot training, they have also served as platforms for attack and electronic warfare aircraft, such as the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler or, more recently, the new J-15D of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. Looking ahead, it is also envisioned as a platform for controlling and operating unmanned aerial vehicles under the Loyal Wingman concept.
Returning to yesterday’s events in China, while attention was focused on the new stealth aircraft—which features a flying wing design without vertical stabilizers and has been provisionally named “J-36” by OSINT specialists—the presence of the fifth-generation J-20S fighter also stood out. This marked the first recorded flight of the aircraft, documented through images and videos of the model currently under development by Chengdu.
From the captured footage, various details of the aircraft were observed. First, the J-20S, which featured a primer coating, carried the serial number “2035.” Another notable detail was the presence of pods on both wings, though little is known about them; it is inferred that they could be photographic pods equipped with various types of sensors to collect data and images of the “J-36” stealth aircraft’s flight.
Additionally, various OSINT sources have indicated that “2035” might be equipped with the new Xian WS-15 engines currently under development for the J-20 fighter family. This could confirm that the new two-seater J-20S models may roll off production lines equipped with this powerplant, which is undergoing flight tests. This was evidenced by evaluations conducted last September when a J-20A “2052” completed a test flight.
Although further details have not emerged, recent days have been eventful. Alongside the flight of the aforementioned “J-36” aircraft, similar tests were conducted with another aircraft of a similar configuration, as well as the first recorded flight of the new KJ-3000 electronic warfare aircraft, currently under development to equip the Chinese Air Force.
Photo credits to their respective owners.
