The Chengdu J-20, or "Mighty Dragon", twinjet stealth fighter is called. It is developed by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The aircraft is capable of a range of missions and is the next generation in stealth fighter aircraft.
WS-15 motor
China is developing a more powerful engine to power the J-20 stealth fighter jet. The J-20 engine is outdated and has a limited lifespan. The WS-15 engine could replace the existing engine and make it a better fighter. The WS-15 engine should be ready to go for the J-20 before the end of 2020. The improved performance and maneuverability of this engine should make up for the J-20's limitations. This engine could push China closer to catching up to other leading nations in terms of fighter engine development.
Maximum thrust produced by the WS-15 engine can reach 180 kilonewtons. This is the same thrust as the F135 engine that powers Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The WS-15 engine can propel a J-20B at Mach 1.8 or 2.2 cruise speed. This speed would be comparable to the US F-22.
Despite the many difficulties the WS-15 engine has, China is quickly developing a turbofan engine to power its J-20s. The WS-15 engine is capable of generating 180kN wet thrust. China is expected to purchase the T-50 engine in order to accelerate their engine development program. In the meantime, the PLAAF is using the WS-10/Taihang engines in its initial airframe tests. The engine is being tested on the Y-20 large transport aircraft by the Chinese.
The WS-15 is a mature engine that has had many trials and testing on the ground. The WS-15 engine can be incorporated into the J-20 production line once the trials are completed.
WS-10C engines
China plans to replace Russia's engine in the J-20 Mighty Dragon' fighter plane with a domestically manufactured WS-10C motor. Chinese engineers believe the engine can be comparable to the Russian AL-31F. The engine has already passed its initial evaluations. Chinese plans to update their J-20 engines this year using thrust vectoring technology. This will allow them to be closer to the US F-22 Raptor.
Chinese Air Force confirmed the deployment of J-20 fighters in the East China Sea/Taiwan Strait. Four brigades will consist of 150 fighters. This deployment is expected to be accompanied by simulated dogfight drills. These drills will be used as regular training for PLA fighter pilots.
China has already replaced some F-35 stealth aircraft with WS-10C engine. Chinese engineers said the engines would be as powerful than the Pratt & Whitney F119 F-22 Raptor. The new WS-10C engines will not be installed on J-20 aircraft until the latter part of 2018.
China's WS-10C engine, which will allow it to conduct intensive patrols in the South China Sea, will be able to do so. This could cause claimant countries to react beyond their capability, which could lead miscalculations and fatigue as well as equipment loss. The J-20 can also carry out long-range strikes from far away bases. Original J-20 prototypes were equipped with less powerful engines, making them more vulnerable to US fighters in dogfights.