Aircraft
Improved Chinese Stealth Fighter Nears First Flight
J-20 No. 2011 streams its twin brake chutes during high-speed taxi tests at Chengdu. (Chinese Internet)
J-20 No. 2011 streams its twin brake chutes during high-speed taxi tests at Chengdu. (Chinese Internet)

The latest example of the stealthy Chengdu J-20 fighter has recently undergone high-speed taxi testing at the company airfield, suggesting that a first flight is imminent, possibly scheduled for this weekend. Thought to be the third flying example of the J-20, the new aircraft is being considered as a true developmental airframe for an operational fighter, and has introduced a number of significant improvements over the two technology demonstrators that preceded it. Many of the changes are measures taken to reduce the type’s radar cross section.

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