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F-15 Eagle vs. Chengdu J-20

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F-15

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J-20

Role
Air-superiority fighterAll-weather stealth
Generation
4th generation5th generation
National Origin
United StatesChina
Manufacturer
McDonnell DouglasChengdu
Price (USD)
$87 Million$120 Million
Primary Users
US Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air Force
First Flight
19722011
Last Production Year
In ProductionIn Production
# Units Built
>1600>150
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
11 (J-20A) / 2 (J-20S)
Length
19 m63 ft
21 m69 ft
Wingspan
13 m42 ft
13 m42 ft
Wing Area
56 m²608 ft²
73 m²785 ft²
Height
5 m18 ft
4 m15 ft
Empty Weight
12,701 kg28,000 lbs
17,001 kg37,480 lbs
Gross Weight
20,185 kg44,500 lbs
25,002 kg55,120 lbs
MTOW
30,844 kg68,000 lbs
37,000 kg81,570 lbs
Fuel Capacity
6,103 kg13,455 lbs
11,793 kg26,000 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
Pratt & WhitneyShenyang
Engine Model
F100-PW-220 WS-10C
Dry Thrust
65 kN14,590 lbs
145 kN32,600 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
106 kN23,770 lbf
142 kN32,000 lbf
Max Thrust
211 kN47,540 lbf
284 kN64,000 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.50Mach 2.00
Top Speed
2,655 km/h1,650 mph
2,136 km/h1,327 mph
Range
5,556 km3,000 nm
2,037 km1,100 nm
Rate of Climb
340 m/s67,000 ft/min
304 m/s59,800 ft/min
Ceiling
19,812 m65,000 ft
20,117 m66,000 ft
G Limit
7 g9 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-15 Eagle and Chengdu J-20

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-20 Size Comparison

  • At 21.20 meters, the Chengdu J-20 is 1.80 meters longer than the F-15 Eagle.
  • With a wingspan of 13.10 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 0.10 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the F-15 Eagle is 0.90 meters bigger than that of the Chengdu J-20’s 4.70 meters.

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-20 Price

  • The Chengdu J-20 is more expensive than the F-15 Eagle, with a unit cost of approximately 120 million compared to the F-15 Eagle’s unit cost of approximately 87 million.

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-20 Speed

  • The F-15 Eagle has a top speed of 1,650 miles per hour, and the Chengdu J-20 has a top speed of 1,327 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-15 Eagle 323 miles per hour faster than the Chengdu J-20.

About the F-15 Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, now part of Boeing, is an iconic twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft. Originating from the United States, it was primarily designed for air superiority missions.

Production History: Developed in the early 1970s, the F-15 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1976. It was a response to the need for a dedicated air superiority fighter, with capabilities far exceeding previous aircraft in terms of performance and agility. Over the years, it has been produced in various models, including the F-15A/B, C/D, and the ground-attack variant, the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Design Features: The F-15 features a twin-engine Pratt & Whitney setup that ensures survivability and a high power-to-weight ratio, facilitating supersonic speeds without afterburners. It has a notable frameless bubble canopy for enhanced pilot visibility, a side-mounted control stick for ease of maneuvering, and advanced avionics for multi-role missions.

Operational History: The F-15 has been deployed in various conflicts, showcasing its air dominance in operations such as Desert Storm. Its design has allowed for versatility in roles, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attack missions. The F-15E Strike Eagle variant, in particular, has been effective in strike roles due to its advanced sensors and weaponry.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-15 Eagle vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Role: The F-15 is optimized for air superiority with its powerful radar and payload capacity, making it ideal for dominating the skies. The F-16, known for its agility and multirole capabilities, excels in both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions, offering versatility.

Performance: The F-15 boasts higher speed and payload, enabling it to carry a wide range of weapons. The F-16, while slightly less capable in terms of payload, offers superior maneuverability and efficiency, making it effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

F-15 Eagle vs. F-22 Raptor

Technology: The F-22 is a fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and supercruise, significantly outpacing the F-15's fourth-generation technology.

Role: The F-15 was designed as an unbeatable air superiority fighter, while the F-22 expands on this role with stealth and ground attack capabilities, redefining air superiority for the modern era.

About the Chengdu J-20

The Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon" is China's first fifth-generation, stealth, multi-role fighter aircraft, developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Introduced into service in 2017, the J-20 represents a significant leap forward in Chinese military aviation, designed to secure air superiority and support the strategic objectives of China's defense policy. It combines advanced stealth capabilities, long-range strike potential, and high maneuverability to counter enemy fighters and missile systems effectively.

Production History: The J-20's development started in the early 2000s, with the goal of producing an aircraft capable of matching or surpassing the capabilities of contemporary American fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The first flight occurred in 2011, and after a series of extensive tests and evaluations, the J-20 was officially declared combat-ready and entered PLAAF service in 2017.

Design Features: The J-20 features a sleek, aerodynamic design with low radar cross-section characteristics, including internal weapon bays to minimize its visibility to radar. It is equipped with two high-thrust turbofan engines, contributing to its supercruise capability and high-speed performance. The J-20's large frame allows for considerable fuel and payload capacity, extending its range and versatility in operations.

Operational History: While specific details of the J-20's operational history remain closely guarded, it is known to have participated in various military exercises and training operations since its introduction. The J-20 is intended to perform a range of missions, from air superiority and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) to precision strikes and reconnaissance, demonstrating its strategic importance to the PLAAF.

Comparison with Similar Models:

J-20 "Mighty Dragon" vs. F-22 Raptor

Stealth and Performance: The F-22 Raptor is renowned for its stealth capabilities and unmatched air superiority performance. The J-20 aims to rival this with its own stealth design and advanced aerodynamics, though the F-22 maintains an edge in stealth technology and supermaneuverability due to its thrust vectoring capabilities.

Avionics and Systems Integration: Both aircraft feature state-of-the-art avionics suites, but the F-22's mature systems and operational experience provide it with proven capabilities in combat environments.

J-20 "Mighty Dragon" vs. F-35 Lightning II

Multi-Role Flexibility: The F-35 Lightning II is designed as a multi-role stealth fighter, excelling in ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with its advanced sensor fusion and stealth characteristics. The J-20, while primarily focused on air superiority, also incorporates multi-role capabilities.

Technological Innovation and Exportability: The F-35 has seen widespread export to allies of the United States, enhancing global interoperability. The J-20, being a critical asset for China's national defense, has not been offered for export.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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