The J-20 Can't Cut The Mustard As a Fifth Generation Fighter: Kanwa
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Aircraft designers from Russia, Poland and the United States rarely give negative comments regarding the design of other aircraft, according to the magazine, however, they have a very negative impression of the J-20. The chief designer from Russia's Mikoyan military aircraft design bureau stated that the concept of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's J-31 is much easier for him to grasp compared to that of Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group's J-20.
For the chief designer of Russia's Sukhoi company, the J-20 cannot be considered a fifth generation fighter as it does not have a supersonic cruise capability; a criterion which would also exclude Lockheed Martin's F-35. He also questioned the realiability of the J-20's stealth capability.
The Kanwa Defense Review said, however, that it is not fair to judge the J-20 with the same standards as aircraft developed in the United States and Russia, as it is the first stealth fighter fully designed by Chinese aviation experts. China had already invested too much resources in the development of the J-20 at this point, according to the magazine, and it is already too late to cancel the entire project now. The magazine added that China can resolve the engine problem by introducing the AL31FM1 from Russia, which should provide it with sufficient thrust.
