Key Points and Summary – China’s J-20 fleet is growing fast—and the newer twin-seat J-20S adds a back-seater to manage electronic warfare and loyal-wingman drones.
-The U.S. answer isn’t a brand-new jet but a “Super” F-22: deeper stealth refinements, better infrared detection, cockpit and helmet upgrades, and tighter links to unmanned teammates.
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Two F-22 Raptors perform a flyover and air demonstration during noon meal formation at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., April 12, 2023. Events such as these aim to cultivate warrior ethos, a future-focused mindset, and supplement existing character, leadership, and officer development efforts with the cadets. (U.S Air Force Photo by Trevor Cokley)
-On paper, the J-20’s long-range missiles and EW could threaten the Raptor before a merge. But a sharpened F-22 still brings world-class stealth, supercruise, and knife-fight agility.
-The real edge may come from which fields teaming with drones and software updates faster, and which pilots can turn those tools into a clean first shot.
Will the F-22 Be ‘Super’ Enough to Outclass China’s J-20?
You have heard about China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter.
It is fast and super maneuverable.
Not fully stealthy, but with some radar-evading characteristics.
It is being produced in significant numbers.
There are an estimated 200 to 400 fighters on active duty.
J-20s use beyond-visual-range missiles to devastating effect.
And the pilots who fly the jet are much better trained and experienced these days, thanks to flying increasingly complex missions against Taiwan.
The Americans are ready, though.
There is the extremely stealthy F-22 Raptor with the kind of air superiority that makes Air Force aviators drool. However, the Air Force is seeking to enhance the base model F-22 further. There are plans for the “Super” Raptor, of what many call the F-22 Super.
Let’s learn more about this fighter and see how it stacks up against the J-20.
The President Wants an F-22 That Is a Superman
It all started earlier this year when President Donald Trump called for the F-22 “Super.”
“I think the most beautiful fighter jet in the world is the F-22, but we’re going to do an F-22 Super, and it’ll be a very modern version of the F-22 fighter jet,” he said.
Take Technology from F-47 NGAD Development
So what does that mean?
Lockheed Martin lost the F-47 NGAD bid to Boeing. However, during the research and development phase for the NGAD, it developed sixth-generation technologies that could be applied to the F-22.
Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet aims to upgrade the F-22 (and the F-35) into fifth-generation “+” aircraft.
This would entail improved stealth and enhanced manned-unmanned teaming capabilities.
“We’re basically going to take the chassis and turn it into a Ferrari,” he said during the company’s first-quarter earnings report for Wall Street.
What Is Outstanding About the F-22?
The F-22 is already an impressive aircraft and likely the stealthiest warbird in the world. It combines excellent sensor fusion with supercruise.
It is designed to be a superb dogfighter with the maximum level of maneuverability to outfly enemy fighter jets, even stealthy versions like the Chinese J-20.
Although there is no actual F-22 Super Raptor program, substantial upgrades are expected due to the $1 billion being injected into the program.
This comprised “Group B hardware, spares, and support equipment,” according to contract language from the Department of Defense.
Most of the work will focus on advanced infrared threat-detection sensors that should be able to detect better and track enemy aircraft, such as the J-20. Electronics will be enhanced with improvements to the cockpit and flight helmet.
The J-20 Is a Formidable Beast, Too
However, the J-20 also has excellent sensors and radar. It could “see” the F-22 Super at very long range and fire PL-15 beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles at the F-22 Super.
The engines on the J-20 are top-notch, and the software has accumulated a vast amount of flight data over the years, providing Chinese engineers and scientists with the analytical capabilities to enhance performance further.
The Twin Seat J-20S Is Even Better
While the United States worked on the NGAD project, China unveiled the J-20S, featuring a second seat. This extra crewman could also allow the J-20 to control a Loyal Wingman flight of drones in a manned-unmanned teaming relationship that could add more firepower, intelligence, and reconnaissance collection.
NGAD Lockheed Martin Photo.
With the back seater, the J-20S could enhance its already formidable electronic warfare suite, which could potentially jam the sensors of the F-22, even if a “Super” model is developed in the future. Additionally, the extra crew member can serve as a weapons systems officer to better control BVR missiles and ensure they hit their targets from long range.
The J-20 also features supercruise capability and may be able to fly faster without afterburners than the F-22 Super Hornet. This increases its range and combat radius, along with improved fuel efficiency.
I like the F-22’s chances against the base model J-20. The J-20S is a different animal, though, and the F-22, even if it becomes super, will have its hands full going up against the new Mighty Dragon variant with twin seats.
J-20 Fighter from Chinese PLAAF. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Both could operate drones, and it will be a race to see which country can develop the unmanned teaming arrangement first. Two U.S. defense contractors have a version of what the Air Force is calling the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, so the Americans are forging ahead. China would like to match this capability.
In all, both fighters are of a quality nature. The proof will be in the various upgrades that the United States is being tight-lipped about. The Chinese are bragging about their J-20S mode, and Trump has his eyes on a “Super” or, if a chief executive is to be believed, a Ferrari of an F-22.
This competition will continue to intensify as F-22s and J-20s receive more attention and engineering prowess.
The individual pilots will be crucial, as American aviators may be more experienced in air superiority missions. But the J-20 has acquitted itself well in “grey zone” tactics against Taiwan.
We will determine if the F-22 Super comes to fruition and is forward deployed in Guam or Japan, which would enable a potential face-off with the J-20 or J-20S. It will be interesting to see how they stack up with various aerial tactics.
Who Wins in 2 Words: Go Super
My money is on the F-22 Super. It is stealthier than the J-20 and is tailor-made for dogfighting. The only thing that concerns me is the BVR missiles that China has developed.
This could make a difference in combat, especially if the back seater on a J-20S jams the F-22’s weapons and radar with electronic warfare.
It will be a fascinating fly-off if these two warbirds ever face each other, but the F-22 Super should have the edge if all goes according to plan with the upgrades.
About the Author: 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 US 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 US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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