Jane’s Editor Robert Hewson wrote on 20-Dec that the new J-20 will tentatively be powered by Russian’s 117S engine

Jane’s Defence Weekly

Window on China

Robert Hewson, Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons Editor, London

…Jane’s has learnt that China is using Russian-sourced -117S engines (a heavily modified AL-31F) to power its fifth-generation design – at least as far as prototype and development aircraft are concerned. This engine powers Russia’s own fifth-generation fighter, the Sukhoi T-50. Despite attempts to replicate previous generations of Russian fighter engines for its own aircraft, China’s industry has failed to do so reliably. Its dependence on foreign technology, and specifically Russian engines, particularly as it embarks on its next generation of designs is a hurdle for China’s designers and a major obstacle to building a truly indigenous military aircraft industry. Russia is now dealing with a Chinese request to acquire an unknown number of -117S engines upon which Chengdu will rely for some time to come.

Frontal view, I know you guys will laugh how small it is, but it’s better than nothing, rit?

Wing span seems quite wide as well

But something is strange, chines officials said that they want to purchase a new batch of Russian equipment.
Also Su35, some days ago.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/24/AR2010122402788.html

Why u never quoted it fully:

On their wish list are the Su-35 fighter, for a planned Chinese aircraft carrier

:p:D:dev2: That comment says it all

wow, a clear one come out. Although the whole proportion seems not right for obviously missing some part of the original photo, and some details may be purposefully PSed, but it’s definite the most reliable photo upto now.

LOL, finally got why someone describe the fins are F35 style, while others say it’s similar to F117.

Yes, you got it right, the author has confirmed the original image was doctored to omit some details when he posted it. The J-20 should be longer, especially when you compare it with the J-10:

This event has attracted enough attention from aviation heavy weights like Sweetman Bill, the author of “ YF-22 & YF-23 advanced tactical fighters.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a39676d78-1d53-4723-a2f6-1461d18bc6b1&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

Common guys, I want to see pictures of the J-20 before Christmas Eve, please….:)

The words in town are most likely it will fly on Christmas Eve Conus time, what a peaceful night then. :p.

Now, all eyes are on that spot inside the fence, many have seen the J-20 with their own eyes, and i’m pretty sure many of them got the pictures, but maybe currently only keep to their eyes only, for obvious reasons. Anyway, our “fency party” will broadcast any progress live. my salute to them! 😎

That one is obviously fake.

What i find weird with all this “censorship”-smudge thing, is how come the Chinese airforce doesn’t have some isolated airforce base, to test her own prototypes/secret projects. It seems that approaching the fence and getting pictures isn’t that hard. With the huge geographical extension of China, one would think that they could find a better way to hide something from indiscreet eyes, rather than chasing photos over the internet. :confused:

Of course PLAAF has its secret Weapon test range in remote area like dingxin airbase. However, at this stage, the J-20 remains product which is in development stage, by the company of CAC, which is part of commercial organization of AVIC, NOT a unit of PLAAF. Unfortunately, CAC doesn’t have secret weapon test range like LM etc do. CAC is located in big city and airfield is quite accessible.