That included the Shenyang J-22, a twin-engine jet fighter that has been in active service since 1998.
It is equipped with two large internal weapon bays for long-range and air-to-air missiles.
The J-20 also has two small sidebays that can hold short-range air-to-air missiles.
A Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon at the August 2022 Changchun Air Show.Image: N509FZ/CC BY-SA 4.0
It can reportedly carry more fuel and weapons than the F-22 Raptor.
China actually struggled for years to perfect quality, domestically-produced jet engines for its fighters.
However, in 2022 the WS-15 engine developed for the J-20 reportedly made its maiden flight.
J-20 fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade under the PLA Air Force taxi in close formation during a flight training exercise on January 7, 2022.Image: Yang Pan/PLA
Yet, Boneham said China is unlikely to sell the J-20, at least in the near future.
A similar rationale had been adopted by the U.S. in opting to not export the F-22.
It has routinely been presented at air shows, yet still kept away from onlookers on the ground.
A J-20 fighter jet soars in the air on the opening day of the 14th Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, on November 8, 2022.Image: Deng Hua/PLA
F-22/F-35 DNA?
Beijing was even more brazen in its efforts to glean details about the F-35.
It certainly wouldnt be the first nor the last time that China has liberally borrowed from foreign designs.
The fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 displayed its weapon bays and missiles during Airshow China 2018.Image: emperornie/CC BY-SA 2.0
Many recent Chinese aircraft have born similarities to U.S. platforms, Boneham continued.
Whether or not the J-20 actually has any F-22 or F-35 DNA may not be the point.
Senior Colonel Li Ling (left) talks with another pilot after completing a flight training exercise on January 8, 2022.Image: Yang Pan/PLA
A pair of Chengdu J-20s in the aircraft’s first public appearance at Airshow China 2016.Image: Alert5/CC BY-SA 4.0
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 477th Fighter Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson prepares for takeoff on Jan. 7, 2023.Image: Erica Webster/U.S.A.F.
An F-35A Lightning II from the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies a mission on March 10, 2022. Image:A1C Yosselin Perla/U.S.A.F.
Sailors prepare to chock and chain an F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 aboard the amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli. Image:MC1 Peter Burghart/U.S.N.
