The Chengdu J-20 (or "Mighty Dragon") is a twinjet, all-weather stealth fighter plane. It was designed by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation and is used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The next generation of stealth fighters is capable of performing many missions.
WS-15 engine
China is working to create a stronger engine for its J-20 stealth fighter aircraft. The current J-20 engine is inadequate and has a limited life span. The WS-15 engine can replace the current engine, making it a better fighter. The WS-15 will be ready to fly the J-20 in 2020. This engine will be able to overcome the limitations of the J-20. This engine could help China catch up to other countries in fighter engine development.
The WS-15 engine is capable of producing a maximum thrust of 180 kilonewtons. This is comparable to the F135 engine which 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 make it a match for the US F-22.
Despite all of the challenges that the WS-15 motor faces, China is rapidly developing a turbofan-powered engine for its J-20s. The WS-15 engine can deliver a 180kN wet thrust rating. China is expected to buy the T-50 to speed up its engine development program. PLAAF is already using the WS-10/Taihang WS-10/Taihang motors in its initial airframe testing. The engine is being tested on the Y-20 large transport aircraft by the Chinese.
The WS-15 engines have been subject to many tests and trials on the ground. Once these trials are complete, it could be incorporated into the production of the J-20.
WS-10C motor
China plans to replace Russian engine in J-20 Mighty Dragon’ fighter aircraft with a domestically produced WS-10C. The engine has passed initial evaluations. Chinese engineers believe it can rival the Russian AL-31F. The Chinese are also planning to update the J-20s' engines this year with thrust vectoring technology, which will bring them closer to the US F-22 Raptor.
Chinese Air Force has confirmed that the J-20 fighters will be deployed to East China Sea and Taiwan Strait. They will be equipped with four brigades consisting of 150 fighters. Simulated dogfight drills will be performed in conjunction with this deployment. 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 claimed the new engines could be used in fourth-generation aircraft. 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 lead to claims states having to respond to claims beyond their capabilities. The new engine also enables the J-20 to carry out long-range strikes far from Chinese air bases. Original J-20 prototypes used less powerful engines which made them more susceptible to fighting with US fighters.