PUBLISHED on August 7, 2025, 10:46 AM EST – Key Points and Summary – In a speculative matchup between Boeing’s failed X-32 prototype and China’s operational J-20 “Mighty Dragon,” the Chinese stealth fighter is the clear winner.
-X-32 had significant design flaws, including its unworkable vertical lift system, a delta wing that reduced agility, and poor suitability for aircraft carriers.
A Sideview of the Boeing X-32 JSF. Image Credit: Harry J. Kazianis/National Security Journal.
-In contrast, the J-20 is faster (Mach 2 vs. Mach 1.6), has more powerful engines, is likely stealthier, and possesses a superior radar system and supercruise capability.
-Despite the skill of American pilots, the J-20’s superior technology would give it the edge.
Which Fighter Jet Is Superior: the X-32 or the J-20?
One participant in the highly competitive Joint Strike Fighter program, which gave the world the F-35, was called the X-32. This was the entrant from Boeing, and the “X” stood for “experimental.” The Joint Strike Fighter competition was meant to yield a short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) option along with a naval strike version for aircraft carrier operations.
The X-32 struggled with these requirements and was ultimately passed over.
However, many experts still argue that the X-32 should have become the F-32, and it would have been built in the thousands.
With that said, let’s see just how it would have stacked up against the Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon had it won the JSF contest.
The X-32’s Engine Pushed Out Only MACH 1.6 Top Speed
First, let’s examine the X-32 in more detail. The powerplant on board was a Pratt & Whitney YF119-PW-614 afterburning turbofan engine. This produced 43,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner mode and enabled a top speed of Mach 1.6.
Difficulty With the Design of the STOVL Option
Boeing built two X-32 prototypes. One was for conventional landing and carrier operations. The other was for STOVL. The STOVL option was meant for the U.S. Marine Corps, which had experience with jump jets.
Boeing X-32 National Security Journal Photo. Taken on 7/19/2025.
Boeing created the vertical lift-off with a direct lift system. A swiveling nozzle pushed downward and sent the warbird up in the air. This was intended to be efficient and simple, requiring minimal maintenance.
But it proved to be unworkable.
The system did not provide enough lift at higher weights and maximum weapons payload capacity. Boeing decided to redesign and rebuild the lift system, but this created delays, and evaluators wondered if the defense contractor could deliver a winning product.
Delta-Wing Was Not the Optimal Choice
The airplane had a one-piece carbon fiber delta wing, but the delta wing also had problems.
The high sweep angle allowed for a thick cross-section to carry additional fuel, but this created more drag and hurt the agility of the entire airplane. This lack of high maneuverability downgraded the entry. The X-35 had a more conventional design that required less maintenance attention.
Then the second version of X-32 for the aircraft carrier was tested, and evaluators were disappointed. More issues cropped up. The X-32 was not as stable during landing, and the manufacturing team was unsure whether this was due to problematic landing gear or the overall dimensions of the airplane.
Boeing X-32 Stealth Fighter. Image Credit: National Security Journal.
The X-32 also had a larger and heavier fuselage that made launching and landing on a carrier more difficult.
More Specs on the X-32
The X-32 had a single pilot. It was 45 feet long with a wingspan of 36 feet. Maximum takeoff weight was 38,000 pounds. The range was between 750 and 850 nautical miles. The first supersonic flight was in 2001, and Boeing completed the testing of all systems in 2001. Pilots conducted more than 120 test flights.
The X-32 could carry eight AMRAAM missiles and two 2,000-pound bombs.
The wings had external hardpoints for air-to-surface missiles and anti-radiation missiles for suppression of enemy air defenses.
J-20 Has More Advantages Than the X-32
Let’s take a deeper dive into China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon.
This stealth fighter is the pride of the Chinese fleet. It is being built quickly, and there are over 250 in service, with some saying many more.
China is the third country to operate a fifth-generation fighter. While the level of stealthiness is in question, the J-20 does possess some degree of radar-evading capability. It is not considered as stealthy as the F-35 and F-22.
The J-20 started out with a Russian-made engine, but it soon switched to the indigenously built WS-10C that are now being replaced with the more powerful and robust WS-15. These push out a speed of MACH 2.
The J-20 boasts a high level of survivability and situational awareness, thanks to its JLJ-5 AESA radar system. The J-20 also features supercruise capability without the need for afterburners.
This gives it a well-needed air superiority classification that China desperately needs from its fighter fleet. The J-20 also has sensor fusion, integrated avionics, and a high level of networked, multidomain interoperability.
The J-20 vs. X-32: The J-20 Wins
In my eyes, the J-20 is superior to the X-32. The X-35 outbid Boeing’s entry into the Joint Strike Fighter program for several reasons. There were design flaws and a lack of a diverse mission set. The STOVL model did not work right, and it was not a successful carrier-based aircraft.
The J-20 is faster than the X-32. The engines are more powerful, and the J-20 is likely to be stealthier, featuring a better radar system and superior situational awareness.
Of course, any head-to-head match-up comes down to the skill and experience of the individual pilots, and the Americans are battle-tested and better trained. But the J-20 would still have the edge in a fly-off. The X-32 just didn’t have the right stuff. It’s not surprising that the X-35 became the F-35 Lightning II.
The Chinese are rightfully proud of the J-20, and although it may struggle against the F-35 and F-22, it is still a superior aircraft to the X-32.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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