On September 3, 2025, at the Victory Day Parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, China unveiled one of its most groundbreaking military platforms: the J-20S twin-seat stealth fighter jet. This marked the first-ever public debut of a two-seat variant of a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, a design unmatched by any other military power, including the United States or Russia.
Presided over by President Xi Jinping and attended by global figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the parade symbolized both China’s remembrance of World War II and its determination to showcase military modernization. For the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the J-20S represented a technological leap, cementing its role as a pioneer in next-generation aerial warfare.
Background: The J-20 “Mighty Dragon”
The J-20 program traces its origins back to the 1990s, when the PLAAF sought to leap ahead in airpower by developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter comparable to the US F-22 Raptor. Developed by the Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, the J-20—nicknamed “Mighty Dragon”—first flew on January 11, 2011, coinciding with a visit by then–US Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Beijing, which was widely seen as a symbolic message.
The fighter entered limited service in 2017 and full operational service by 2019, becoming the first operational stealth fighter outside the United States. Previously, China unveiled the J-10C in the previous parades which is now replaced by the more advanced and one of its type J-20C.
Key Features of the J-20
- Design: Canard-delta wing configuration optimized for high maneuverability and stealth.
- Stealth: Shaping and radar-absorbing materials reduce radar cross-section, although analysts debate if it equals US stealth standards.
- Engines: Initially used Russian AL-31F engines, later replaced by indigenous WS-10C turbofans with thrust vectoring. The future WS-15 engine promises supercruise and better power-to-weight ratio.
- Avionics: Equipped with AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, and sensor fusion for situational awareness.
- Weapons:
- Internal bays carrying PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles (range >200 km).
- PL-10 short-range air-to-air missiles.
- Precision-guided munitions for strike missions.
Evolution of J-20 Variants
China has continuously refined the J-20 platform:
- J-20A (Initial Production):
- Entered service in 2017 with imported Russian engines.
- Limited stealth due to engine nozzles but rapidly upgraded.
- J-20B (Enhanced Variant):
- Introduced indigenous WS-10C engines with thrust vectoring.
- Improvements in stealth coatings, avionics, and radar.
- J-20C (Future Version):
- Expected to integrate WS-15 engines, enabling true supercruise (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners).
- Enhanced avionics and electronic warfare capabilities.
- J-20S (Twin-Seat Variant):
- Debuted in 2025 Victory Day Parade.
- World’s first-ever two-seat stealth fighter.
- Designed for command-and-control, manned-unmanned teaming, and long-range strike operations.
Technical Specifications of the J-20S
While official details remain classified, military experts and open-source intelligence (OSINT) have pieced together the following:
- Type: Twin-seat, heavy, multirole, fifth-generation stealth fighter jet
- Dimensions: Length ~21 meters; Wingspan ~13 meters (slightly larger than J-20A)
- Engines: Indigenous WS-10C2 afterburning turbofan engines (with thrust vectoring capability); possible future upgrade to WS-15 engines
- Maximum Speed: Estimated Mach 2.0+
- Range: 2,000 km (combat radius); 4,000 km (ferry range, with refueling)
- Crew: 2 (Pilot + Weapon Systems Officer/Mission Commander)
- Armament:
- Internal bays for PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles and PL-10 short-range missiles
- Capacity for precision-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and electronic warfare pods
- Ability to control “loyal wingman” drones (e.g., Hongdu GJ-11 UCAV, Wing Loong-3)
- Avionics:
- Advanced AESA radar
- Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) beneath the nose, offering 360° situational awareness
- Enhanced sensor fusion and AI-assisted battlefield management
- Stealth Features:
- Radar cross-section reduction through redesigned nose cone and fuselage shaping
- Coatings optimized for low observability against Western radars
Unique Twin-Seat Configuration
The J-20S differs from the standard J-20A primarily in its forward fuselage and cockpit layout. The nose and canopy were redesigned to fit a second seat, while the fuselage hump was modified to accommodate additional avionics.
Strategic Advantages of Twin-Seat Design
- Mission Command Role:
- The second pilot can act as a mission commander, orchestrating multiple aircraft and drones in real time.
- This transforms the J-20S into an airborne command-and-control (C2) fighter.
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T):
- The back-seater can control loyal wingman drones for electronic warfare, reconnaissance, or strike missions.
- Potentially elevates the J-20S into a “5.5th generation” fighter jet, ahead of global rivals.
- Reduced Pilot Workload:
- Fifth-generation fighters require multitasking—data fusion, electronic warfare, precision targeting.
- A second pilot ensures these complex roles are divided, improving operational efficiency.
- Deep Strike Potential:
- With one pilot focusing on flying and stealth penetration, the second can manage weapons during high-risk strike missions, especially against heavily defended airspace.
- Training Benefits:
- Allows faster training of new pilots on complex fifth-generation systems.
Importance for China’s Military Strategy
- First in the World:
- Neither the US (F-22, F-35) nor Russia (Su-57) operates a two-seat stealth fighter.
- The J-20S provides China with a unique doctrinal advantage.
- Command of Drone Swarms:
- If paired with UCAVs like the GJ-11 Sharp Sword, the J-20S could act as a drone command hub, multiplying combat effectiveness.
- Indo-Pacific Relevance:
- In contested airspaces like the South China Sea or near Taiwan, the J-20S could coordinate large-scale missions, including long-range precision strikes on US aircraft carriers.
- Psychological Impact:
- Its debut sends a message to rivals: China is innovating beyond traditional stealth fighter norms, rather than merely copying Western designs.
Expert Opinions
Chinese analysts have hailed the J-20S as a “game-changer”:
- Zhang Xuefeng (Chinese military expert): “One more pilot means one more mission commander. The J-20S is like a number ten player in soccer—both a leader and a striker.”
- Fu Qianshao (retired PLA Air Force officer): Suggested that if the J-20S truly integrates drone command functions, it qualifies as a 5.5th generation aircraft.
Western analysts agree that the J-20S’ twin-seat design is unconventional but could accelerate China’s learning curve in manned-unmanned teaming, an area where the US is also investing heavily.
Conclusion
The J-20 Mighty Dragon already marked China’s entry into the elite club of stealth fighter operators. With the J-20S twin-seat stealth fighter jet, China has taken an unprecedented step, introducing the world’s first operational two-seat stealth aircraft.
By combining stealth, advanced sensors, and manned-unmanned teaming, the J-20S positions China at the forefront of next-generation air combat. As the PLA Air Force marches toward its 2035 modernization goal, the J-20S may prove to be not just a fighter, but a force multiplier, reshaping doctrines of aerial warfare in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.