Key Points and Summary – In a head-to-head comparison of two allied fifth-generation stealth fighters, Russia’s Su-57 Felon and China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon are a close match.
-The Su-57 likely holds an edge in maneuverability, close-range dogfighting—thanks to a 30mm cannon the J-20 lacks—and pilot experience.
Su-57 Felon. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
-Conversely, the J-20 is believed to possess a more advanced sensor suite and radar system.
-With both aircraft’s true stealth capabilities obscured by state propaganda and neither being fully combat-proven, the author ultimately concludes that the speculative matchup is best described as a draw.
Russia’s Su-57 Versus China’s J-20 Going Head-to-Head
The study of Russia’s Su-57 versus China’s J-20 presents an interesting comparison of fighter jets, given that Russia and China are allies.
Each country has stealth fighters. Let’s take a look at a match-up between these premier warplanes. The comparison between the Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon and the Russian Su-57 Felon is not easy to make. Both have stealth characteristics. The Su-57 may have the edge in combat experience, although the Felon may have been held back during Russia’s war against Ukraine. The J-20 is not combat-proven.
These fighters appear similar in many respects. They are both fast and agile. They are fifth-generation warbirds that hope to achieve air dominance in the early days of fighting. Russia has failed at this objective as the Su-57 has not met expectations in battle. Both airplanes have the utmost in design features and modernization.
Which Side is Telling the Truth?
It is not clear which jet has the better stealthiness. Each country is known for over-hyping its military hardware, and both have radar-evading ability, but how well can the two airframes avoid discovery? Russia has not used the Su-57 much in combat over the skies of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin and his air force generals are worried about it getting shot down. A destroyed Su-57 would give Ukraine a public relations bonanza—publicizing a feat that would shock Russia and make the world applaud.
The Su-57 Has More Combat Experience, But Not By Much
The Su-57 may be a better dogfighter due to the speed and power from its thrust vectoring engines. Russia always likes to emphasize ultra-high velocity with its airplanes.
The Su-57 can hit MACH 2, but so can the J-20. However, Russia believes its pilots are better and more experienced in flying combat missions, even if those missions are limited.
Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Taking Off. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The Chinese J-20 aviators have no combat experience, although they often fly over the Taiwan Strait and rehearse activities that would be necessary if Xi Jinping ever decides to invade Taiwan.
Stealthiness Comparison
Both airplanes feature 21st-century composite materials and stealth coatings that maximize radar evasion. Russia may have the edge in this technology, as they have been developing fighter jets much longer than the Chinese have.
“The J-20 has a long, slender, and relatively narrow fuselage optimized to minimize its radar signature. Its diamond-shaped stealth profile is a distinctive choice, crafted to make radar detection difficult. The Su-57 also has a stealthy design, but it opts for more aggressive, exposed lines and broader aerodynamic surfaces, favoring high angles of attack for maneuverability without compromising too much on stealth,” according to BulgarianMilitary.com.
Survivability In a Dog Fight
The Su-57 may have the edge in a dogfight due to its multi-angular wings. The J-20’s wings create more drag at lower speeds, and this gives the Su-57 the advantage in force-on-force aerial combat.
However, the J-20 may be more survivable due to better sensors. Its radar is better, and it can track multiple targets at once with its Electro-Optical Targeting System. Both fighters have AESA radar. The Su-57 has arrays of sensors along its wings and fuselage. This system is designed to enhance situational awareness, but the Chinese have devoted considerable thought and effort to making the J-20’s radar system one of the world’s best.
China J-20 Mighty Dragon Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
More Comparisons In Size and Engine Strength
Both airplanes are around 66 feet long. The Su-57 has a slightly larger wingspan. The J-20 has a heavier take-off weight by about 4,000 pounds. This may give the Su-57 slightly more agility.
The Su-57 has two Saturn AL-41F1/ Izdelie turbofan engines. The J-20 has two WS-10C or WS-15 turbofans. These powerplants are similar in output and push out top speeds of MACH 2, as mentioned above.
The fighters each have internal bays for short and long-range air-to-air missiles. The Su-57 has a 30mm cannon, and the J-20 has no gun. The Su-57 can fire air-to-ground missiles and may be armed with a hypersonic weapon. The J-20 can drop precision-guided bombs and launch anti-ship missiles.
They are each air superiority jets. The Russian and Chinese designers and engineers meant for their airplanes to be excellent dogfighters.
The combat comparison is difficult. We know the J-20 is unproven, although it rehearses for potential attacks against Taiwan. The Su-57 has seen some combat over Ukraine, but this has not been extensive. The Su-57 likely flies over Russian airspace and launches missiles or glide bombs against military and civilian targets. The Felon has not penetrated enemy air defenses to a significant extent, so we do not know the effectiveness of its stealthiness. Ukraine may have damaged a Su-57 on the ground with drones in June 2024.
It is difficult to foresee how the J-20 would perform in combat. It may not be as stealthy as the American F-35s and F-22s. The J-20 and Su-57 match-up would depend significantly on the experience of the pilots. Russia would have the edge there.
The two stealth jets have similar radar and target tracking abilities. Both airplanes have yet to prove themselves in the export market. Only Algeria is slated to purchase the Su-57. The J-20 has no international customers, although the Chinese would rather sell the J-10 instead.
In 4 Words: It Would Be Close
These two airplanes will likely never face each other due to the strategic partnership between Russia and China. Still, it is fascinating to compare them to see which country has the better engineers and designers. The comparison is best described as a draw, as both airplanes have nearly the same speed and agility.
Russia has an edge in stealth and combat experience, while China has the advantage in weapons delivery and agility, thanks to more powerful engines.
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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