Thanks once again to the invaluable contribution of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), the specialist community has identified a new air-to-air configuration for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s (PLAAF) J-20 stealth fighters. Through the first photographs that began circulating in December, later confirmed by videos proving their authenticity, it was revealed that the fifth-generation aircraft was conducting an apparent test flight carrying a total of eight (8) medium-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles externally. This new weapons configuration closely resembles the so-called “Beast Mode” seen in U.S. Air Force fighters, characterized by carrying a large number of medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles.
Just as in the West, the evolution and maturation of fifth-generation aircraft in China continues in avionics, weaponry, and propulsion. Additionally, new operational modes and configurations are being adopted to counter increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.
The J-20, like its U.S. counterpart, the F-22 Raptor, is designed with stealth technology while remaining the primary and most advanced air superiority platform of China and the United States, respectively, driving the incorporation of new capabilities.
For the Chinese stealth aircraft, the existence of external pylons had already been confirmed, supplementing its internal weapon bays. On that occasion, the mentioned pylons carried external fuel tanks to extend the J-20’s operational range.
Since late December, a series of photographs, recently complemented by videos, have documented the stealth fighter flying in a new and powerful air-to-air configuration. Based on the widely circulated images, the aircraft was seen carrying up to a total of eight (8) medium-range PL-15 air-to-air missiles—one of the most advanced missiles currently in service with the PLAAF. Additionally, this capability could be supplemented by the internal side and ventral bays, allowing for more medium/long-range missiles as well as short-range ones, such as the PL-10.
This new air-to-air weapons configuration, characterized by an increased number of missiles on both fourth- and fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and F-15EX, has been popularized by Western specialists as “Beast Mode.” Given recent events in the Red Sea and Ukraine, the U.S. Air Force has been evaluating new external pylons and internal bay redesigns for its stealth fighters to accommodate a greater number of air-to-air missiles in various configurations.
For example, the F-35 Lightning II originally had the internal capacity to carry up to four AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. However, various reports have confirmed efforts to develop new adapters for the internal ventral bays, enabling the stealth fighter to carry up to six medium/long-range missiles.
Credits to whom it may concern
The confirmation that the Chinese Air Force is also following this trend, with industrial and design efforts supporting the maturation of its fifth-generation fighters, demonstrates the necessary adaptation that air, naval, and ground military forces must undertake in highly contested environments, where the massive use of drones of various types has become standard practice.
Lastly, as demonstrated by the efforts of Chinese and American manufacturers, the presence of combat aircraft operating in “beast mode” will become a common sight in the increasingly complex and challenging air operations of major powers. One only needs to look at Boeing’s promotional efforts for its new F-15EX, which could carry up to twelve (12) AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, as well as the U.S. Navy’s initiative to equip its Super Hornets with more missiles, including the new AIM-174, based on the SM-6 missiles used by guided-missile destroyers and cruisers.
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