Hemesh M, Yuvraj S
India received the fully loaded Rafale fighter aircrafts, on 29 July, with the long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles (AAM) and Hammer air-to-surface missiles (ASM), amid the ongoing border disputes with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. The Rafale fighter jets are ready for combat earlier than expected as the French diverted an initial lot of cutting edge missiles meant for its own air force to India. On the other hand, the Chengdu J-20, is a single-seat, twinjet, all-weather, stealth, fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). J-20 officially entered service in September 2017 making China the second country in the world-after the United States-and the first in Asia to field an operational fifth-generation stealth aircraft. The PLAAF began inducting J-20s into combat units in February 2018 replacing some of the Su-30MKK fighters in some squadrons.
On 27 August 2019, the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) approved the J-20 as the PLA Navy’s future primary fighter, beating out the FC-31. Arguments for the J-20 stated that the plane was far more advanced, longer ranged and carried a heavier payload than the FC-31, while those supporting the FC-31 argued that it was cheaper, lighter and far more maneuverable than the J-20. The length of the J-20 means that it has to be shortened to be considered operable on an aircraft carrier.
J20 Specifications
The J20 is popularly believed to be derived from MIG 1.42 program. The fuselage has unusually long length of 20.3-20.5 metres. Its wingspan is 12.88-13.50 metres. The maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is 34,000-37,000 kg. The fighter’s range is about 2000 kms , which can be increased up to 4,000 kms with external fuel tanks. The large size of the fuselage is primarily for carrying large quantity of fuel.
The J20 is a single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat roles. Currently, the PLAAF has deployed it in the Eastern Theatre Command. Russian AL-31 engines are currently employed to propel the machine. However, there are reports that WS15 with afterburner is under development. There are unconfirmed reports of development of 3D thrust vectoring for future J20 variants. Currently not having a super cruise with the existing propulsion system does not fully qualify it for as a 5th-generation aircraft.
The airframe has two lateral bays with four hard-points on the wing. It is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar along with an infrared/electro-optic search and track sensor on the front of the fuselage.
The designers also claim that the J-20 has a passive electro-optical detection system, which gives the pilot 360° coverage. The fighter, which has a glass cockpit with a bubble-shaped canopy, can access real-time data from Chinese military satellites, Divine Eagle anti-stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and other airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.
Rafale Specifications
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft. The Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions.
The Rafale is fitted with two Snecma M88 engines, each capable of providing up to 50 kN (11,250 lbf) of dry thrust and 75 kN (16,900 lbf) with afterburners. The M88 enables the Rafale to supercruise while carrying four missiles and one drop tank.
Inspite of the aircraft being 4.5-Generation, the designers have craftfully considered the radar cross section (RCS) aspects. The air intakes are a primary example of the same. Several analyst also believe that certain structures have been coated with RAS (Radar Absorbing Structures) to reduce signatures.
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The avionics systems employ integrated modular avionics (IMA), called MDPU (modular data processing unit.
The Rafale features an integrated defensive-aids system named SPECTRA, which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats. The avionics, radar and electronic warfare (EW) suites make this a advanced fighter. It is reported that these account for 30 per cent of the aircraft’s price.
Dassault Rafale vs Chengdu J-20
In case of a confrontation, the PLAAF can deploy the J20s from the bases in Eastern Theatre command due to the combat range. The lateral and main weapon bays are capable to house air-to-air missiles like P15 ,PL21 (200-km range), etc.
Being a stealth fighter carrying any kind of weapons on the hard-points will light the Indian radars. The J20 is reported to have high RCS in non-frontal measurements making it susceptible to be detected by Indian ground radars. This severely handicaps the aircraft’s ability to perform deep penetration strikes in Indian territory. The reported non-availability of a canon also makes it more inferior in any dog fight scenarios.
Dassault has invested around 30 per cent of the cost of the entire Rafale aircraft on the radar and self-protection equipment, which would make it extremely difficult to detect and shoot-down.
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In addition, Rafale can carry most powerful missiles like MBDA Meteor and MICA, which are very difficult to evade by the J20s.The state-of-the-art targeting pods further add muscle to the aircraft.
Rafale, most importantly, has proven war capabilities and has tried and tested weaponry and radars. It has the potential to completely surprise the enemy. Given the track record of Chinese electronics and stealth technology, it is very unlikely that J20 may meet the requirements of a 5th-generation fighter.
How Does the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI Fare
IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, a twin-seater multirole fighter aircraft, (21.9 metres long, MTOW 38,800 kg, powered by two Al-31FP turbojet engines, max speed 2120 kilometres per hour (Mach 1.9)) has a fly-by-wire flight control system and a range of 3,000 kilometres without refuelling. Its combat range increases to 8,000 kilometres with in-flight refuelling system.
The two pilots sitting in tandem in a glass cockpit with integrated avionics suite, head-up display (HUD), seven active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD) also have multifunction displays (MFD) while the rear cockpit has a monochromatic display screen for air-to-ground missile guidance.
At present, the Su-30 MKIs have an N011M PESA radar which will soon be replaced with the more advance Zhuk AESA radar. The aircraft also has OLS-30 laser-optical locator system and Litening target designation pod to guide air-to-surface missile and laser-guided munitions.
The Su-30 MKI is one of the most heavily armed fighters in the world today. The IAF has modified 40 Su-30 MKIs to carry the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile. The fighter has a 30mm Gsh-30-1 cannon and 12 hard-points capable of carrying missiles and bombs. The plane also has Tarang radar warning receiver and jammers for electronic warfare.
Unverified claims say that the Su-30 MKI has been able to detect the Chengdu J-20 flying over Tibet, despite the latter using stealth technology.
The final outcome will depend upon the strategy, tactics, training and logistics. The best of 5th-generation fighters manned by rookie pilots will always be at a disadvantage than a 4.5 gen fighter flown by a seasoned pilot.
