Two-seat J-20 can be used as tactical electronic jammer and early warning aircraft, says Chinese military magazine. The twin-seater ‘Mighty Dragon’ is also expected to command a swarm of drones. — SCMP
The twin-seater version of the J-20 fighter jet could be used as a tactical electronic jammer and an enhanced early warning aircraft in information warfare, according to a Chinese military magazine.
It was previously thought that the two-seat stealth fighter would mainly be used to command a swarm of drones.
“In recent years, experts’ views on the position of fifth-generation aircraft in information warfare have changed, as the aircraft can perform more duties than in the past,” the article in the August edition of Ordnance Industry Science Technology said.
“People are hoping that a fifth-generation fighter can also work as a tactical electronic jammer, small tactical early warning aircraft, high-speed stealth reconnaissance aircraft ... and become the commanding aircraft of a swarm of drones.”
The J-20 “Mighty Dragon”, which entered service in 2017, is an all-weather stealth fighter with precision strike capabilities. The first prototype of the twin-seat J-20 was unveiled in October last year, and a second prototype was unveiled in August this year.
The article said China could turn the twin-seater into an electronic jammer given that other Chinese warplanes, such as the JH-7 “Flying Leopard”, had been equipped with electronic warfare pods.
“We can imagine that the front-seat pilot in the twin-seat J-20 is in charge of flying, and the rear-seat pilot is responsible for jamming. This stealth, high-speed fifth-generation tactical jamming platform will become a nightmare for the enemy’s electronic equipment,” the article said.
A lone pilot cannot communicate tactics with other planes and perform early-warning duties while flying. But the twin-seat J-20 could allow these tasks to be carried out at the same time.
“A twin-seat J-20 can solve this problem very well. The rear-seat pilot is responsible for communication and command, and is completely separated from the tasks of the front-seat pilot, which will greatly improve the efficiency of the J-20 as a small early warning aircraft,” the article said.
At present, the J-20 is the world’s only fifth-generation fighter aircraft with a twin-seat variant in development. It is not yet clear when the twin-seat J-20 will officially enter service.
Akhil Kadidal, an aviation specialist at defence industry publisher Janes, said incorporating early warning systems and electronic intelligence devices into the J-20 could be a challenge.
“Its ability to incorporate a next-generation internal early warning suite is limited. China would need to develop an external pod to enhance the aircraft’s early warning and electronic intelligence capabilities. However, there has been no imagery so far to support the addition of such external systems to the J-20,” Kadidal said.
Despite the challenge, Kadidal said the upgrade was possible, as China had a track record and interest in transforming baseline combat-capable aircraft into early warning and electronic intelligence platforms.
Song Zhongping, a former instructor with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said the article reflected a trend in aircraft development.
“The Chinese air force is deepening the degree of informatisation. We can expect more advanced capabilities like electronic jamming and early warning to be added to the J-20,” he said.
When the J-20 made its maiden flight in 2011, it was considered a symbol of China’s efforts to modernise the PLA, making China the second country after the United States to operate a stealth fighter capable of supersonic cruising speeds.
Earlier this month, Chinese air force spokesman Shen Jinke said China’s military was operating its home-grown stealth fighter jet in all five of the country’s theatre commands.
According to Shen, the warplane has been deployed in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, all of which are possible flashpoints. – South China Morning Post
