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Minnie Chan

A new and improved engine designed to make China’s J-20 stealth fighter a world-class combat jet should be ready for mass production by the end of the year, military sources have said.
The WS-15 engine features cutting-edge single-crystal turbine blades and has been in development for several years, but Chinese technicians have struggled to get it into mass production.
J-20 vs F-22: how China's 'Powerful Dragon' compares with US' signature jet
However, many of the problems – which largely related to blades overheating at top speeds – have been ironed out in ground tests and trial flights, putting the goal of a consistently high quality product in sight, sources told the South China Morning Post.
Beijing is keen to have a stealth aircraft capable of competing with the best in the world as tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific and the United States ramps up deployment of its F-22 and F-35 fighters in the region.


“The WS-15 is expected to be ready for widespread installation in the J-20s by the end of this year,” one of the sources said.
Although some “minor problems” remained, these should be resolved once the engine had been more “extensively run in the aircraft”, the source said.
China’s air force quietly adds new J-16 fighter jets to ‘push the envelope’
Beijing-based military expert Zhou Chenming said that China expected the US to deploy between 200 and 300 F-35s – its most advanced stealth fighter – in the Asia-Pacific by 2025, which meant “China needs a similar number of J-20s, or at least 200”.
Twelve F-35s arrived at the US Air Force’s Kadena Air Base in Japan in November, while South Korea said it planned to take delivery of 40 of the fighters this year.


A second military source said that the problems with the WS-15 needed to be resolved before large numbers of the J-20 could be manufactured.
“China currently has about 20 J-20s, which is far from enough,” the source said. “[Having] a home-grown engine is a must for the J-20 to enter mass production, as no other country would be prepared to give China such cutting-edge technology.”
Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jets carry out first sea training mission
The sources’ claims add weight to an April report by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) that said Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, which manufactures the J-20, was set to open a fourth production line for the stealth fighter in 2019.
And last month CCTV reported that China’s air force had stepped up its training programme for J-20 pilots.

The People’s Liberation Army said that the J-20 entered combat service on February 9 and had been working alongside other fourth-generation aircraft, such as the J-16 and J-10 fighters and the H-6K strategic bomber. In May it took part in island encirclement drills around Taiwan.
The Post reported in February that the J-20 at that time was fitted with a “stopgap” engine.
Chinese military set for capability boost with delivery of Russian Su-35 fighter jets
One of the military sources said the public could get its first glimpse of the new stealth fighter, complete with its upgraded engine, at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition later in the year.
The event, which is held every two years, is set to run from November 5 to 11, in Zhuhai, southern China’s Guangdong province.




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China’s military

China ‘nearing mass production’ of J-20 stealth fighter after engine problems ironed out

China’s new J-20 stealth fighter could soon go into mass production as earlier problems with its engine have now been resolved, sources say. Photo: EPA

FILE - In this April 17, 2011 file photo, Chinese ground crew members inspect a J-20 stealth fighter in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan province. China's defense budget will rise 8 percent to 1.1 trillion yuan ($173 billion) this year as the country is preparing to launch its second aircraft carrier, integrating stealth fighters into its air force and fielding an array of advanced missiles able to attack air and sea targets at vast distances, according to a report released Monday, March 5, 2018. (Color China Photo via AP, File)

Chinese J-20 stealth fighter jets carry out first sea training mission

China’s J-20 stealth fighters are seen taking part in a drill over the sea in this undated photo released by the air force. Photo: Xinhua

This US Air Force photo obtained June 12, 2017 shows an F-35 Lightning II assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, as it flies alongside a 100th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker during a flight to Estonia on April 25, 2017. The US Air Force has temporarily grounded dozens of F-35 stealth fighters while it investigates an oxygen supply issue aboard the expensive planes, officials said June 12, 2017. The 56th Fighter Wing of Luke Air Force Base, Arizona "will continue their pause in local F-35A flying to coordinate analysis and communication between pilots, maintainers, medical professionals and a team of military and industry experts," spokeswoman Major Rebecca Heyse said in a statement. / AFP PHOTO / US AIR FORCE / Christine GROENING / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US AIR FORCE/CHRISTINE GROENING" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

epa06514107 (FILE) - China's new J-20 stealth fighter flies during an airshow at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, 01 November 2016, (reissued 11 February 2018). Media reports on 11 February 2018 state that the J-20 stealth aircraft developed by China has been placed into combat service. EPA-EFE/YhC *** Local Caption *** 53099406

J-20 vs F-22: how China’s Chengdu J-20 ‘Powerful Dragon’ compares with US’ Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

China's J-20 stealth fighter in action at an air show in Guangdong province in 2016. Photo: EPA-EFE

(180210) -- BEIJING, Feb. 10, 2018 (Xinhua) -- An undated file photo shows a J-20 stealth fighter. China's latest J-20 stealth fighters have been commissioned into air force combat service, a spokesperson confirmed Friday. (Xinhua) (lx)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor takes off from a South Korean air base in Gwangju, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. The United States and South Korea have started their biggest-ever joint air force exercise with hundreds of aircrafts including two dozen stealth jets. (Yonhap via AP)

China’s J-20 stealth fighter jet lines up for combat duty, boosting firepower in the sky

China has confirmed that its J-20 stealth fighter has entered combat service. Photo: AP

(161208) -- BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2016 (Xinhua) -- A J-20 stealth fighter of China flies at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 1, 2016. China's domestic-built J-20 stealth fighter made its public debut during the exhibition. China achieved major breakthroughs in scientific and technological development in 2016. (Xinhua/Li Gang) (ry)

Chinese military buffs build replica J-20 stealth fighter

It took the men 14 months to build the replica. Photo: Handout

=== NO ARCHIVE IMAGE === ATN. J2012. Three young military fans spent 14 months to build their own J-20 fighter jet life size model at a village in Wuhan. UNDATED HANDOUT

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China

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Diplomacy

Improved power train will give Chinese jet ability to fly undetected at supersonic speeds, on par with United States’ F-35


Improved power train will give Chinese jet ability to fly undetected at supersonic speeds, on par with United States’ F-35.
