China's fifth-generation stealth fighter of the fifth generation is currently the J-20 'Mighty Dragon. It is now in mass production. China Central Television recently released a video of the J-20 performing maneuvers at low speeds. The J-20 can be seen doing a vertical climb and turning. It appears that the J-20 is capable of thrust vectoring control, which will increase the aircraft's maneuverability. These controls enable the pilot to alter the direction of the exhaust nozzles, thereby redirecting thrust. This can be useful for pilots who need to avoid missiles or perform sudden maneuvers.
China has been producing thrust vectoring engine for more than 20 years. These engines were demonstrated for the first time at Zhuhai's 2018 air show. Chinese engineers have been working hard over the past years to create a high torque engine, which is a critical component for the aircraft. The J-20 is currently fitted with a homegrown WS-10C engine. The engine's design has not been optimized for thrust vectoring controls. However, the PLA Air Force has been testing domestic vector-thrust turbofans on the J-10B two-seat fighter. In January 2021, the Chinese air force will confirm that J-20s will be equipped with engines developed in China.
The use of thrust vector controls has been mostly abandoned by Western designers. However Chinese designers have shown a keen interest in this technology. They believe that thrust control controls can improve the fighter's poststall maneuverability and allow for greater air-toground strike capabilities. Thrust vector controls also have the potential to improve radar stealth capabilities. These advantages could be crucial for the Chinese air force in its quest to compete with the United States.
Chinese engineers are working on a rectangular-shaped high-thrust engines. These engines are said more maneuverable then other types thrust vectoring motors. They are expected to give the J-20 an edge in the modern air combat environment. They are also more powerful than other engines. According to a Chinese source, thrust vectoring capabilities will be added to all WS-10C engine J-20s that have been fitted with WS-10C engines.
PLA has already deployed J-20s for air force units charged with the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea. These units are performing exercises to bridge the US-China air combat capability gap. The aircraft's weapons compartment will be able to hold up to six long range bombs. It can also transport heavy warheads. It is primarily designed to be an air superiority fighter. However, it can also perform air-to ground missions.
The J-20 was originally designed as an interceptor. With the introduction thrust vectoring controls, it will be an agile dogfighter. This aircraft will have a distinct advantage in air-to–air combat because it can perform sudden maneuvers.
The F-22 Raptor aircraft is the only one in the world to have thrust vector controls. US air combat doctrine stresses stealthy, high energy, long-range missile attacks. The US F-22's thrust Vector Control Systems allow the pilot of the aircraft to control the direction of the exhaust to redirect thrust. The F-22 pilot can also perform a freefall floating leaf maneuver which improves low-speed maneuverability.