{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1825112,
        "msgid": "how-stealthy-is-chinas-j-20-tracing-its-origins-from-us-stealth-concepts-1782453157",
        "date": "2026-06-26 12:11:56",
        "title": "How Stealthy Is China's J-20? Tracing Its Origins from US 'Stealth' Concepts",
        "author": "Erdy Nasrul",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Technology",
        "summary": "China's J-20 Mighty Dragon fighter jet incorporates low-observable technology principles pioneered by the US, yet its exact radar cross-section remains a state secret. Analysts estimate its stealth capabilities based on design features like internal weapons bays and radar-absorbent materials, while its performance and sensor fusion are still benchmarked against American fifth-generation fighters.",
        "content": "<p>Modern stealth fighter technology was first developed by the United\nStates through programmes such as the F-117 Nighthawk, later refined in\nthe B-2 Spirit, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. China has now\napplied the same principles to the J-20 Mighty Dragon, a\nfifth-generation fighter designed to minimise radar detection and\nenhance survivability in hostile airspace. Despite being touted as one\nof the world\u2019s most advanced stealth fighters, the Chinese government\nhas never officially published the J-20\u2019s radar cross-section (RCS)\nvalue. All circulating figures are estimates from institutions such as\nJanes, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), or\nassessments by the US Department of Defense, rather than official\nspecifications released by Beijing. The J-20 does not employ an entirely\nnew stealth concept. Defence analysts assess that it adopts the same\nlow-observable principles used by the F-22 and F-35, minimising radar\nwave reflection through a combination of aerodynamic shaping,\nspecialised materials, and internal weapons carriage. The airframe\nfeatures specific angles to deflect radar waves away from the emitting\nantenna. It is coated with radar-absorbent material (RAM) to further\nreduce signal returns, and its primary missiles and munitions are stored\nin internal bays rather than on external hardpoints, keeping its radar\nsignature small during missions. This follows the same design philosophy\nas American fifth-generation stealth fighters. Stealth technology is\ndesigned to reduce the probability of detection, shrink the detection\nrange, and slow target lock-on, rather than render an aircraft\ncompletely invisible. Detecting a stealth aircraft also depends heavily\non the type of radar, the frequency used, and sensor network\nintegration. For instance, the US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and\ncontrol system still uses AN\/APY-1 or AN\/APY-2 radars developed during\nthe Cold War, whereas the F-35 Lightning II is equipped with the modern\nAN\/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which is far\nmore capable of detecting low-observable targets. Consequently, US radar\ncapabilities cannot be generalised based on a single system. Some\nanalyses suggest that China\u2019s latest AESA radars, fitted on aircraft\nsuch as the J-15B and J-16, have also advanced rapidly. However, several\nWestern analysts maintain that the F-35\u2019s sensor fusion, data\nprocessing, and system integration remain among the highest standards in\nmodern air combat technology. In terms of performance, the J-20 is\nestimated to reach speeds of around Mach 2, according to CSIS and\nvarious Western defence publications. The aircraft is currently believed\nto be powered by the WS-10C engine, while the WS-15 engine is being\nprepared to provide supercruise capability, allowing sustained\nsupersonic flight without afterburners.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/how-stealthy-is-chinas-j-20-tracing-its-origins-from-us-stealth-concepts-1782453157",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}