For more than 20 years, the debate between F-22 and J-20 has been ongoing. Both fighters can perform combat missions and offer a variety of benefits to the fleet. But, there is a new technology that could revolutionize the combat experience. Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System - ATESA - would allow a real pilot interact with a simulated J-20 rival. This technology would reduce the cost of air combat training and solve tactical issues for fleet pilots.
WS-10C Engine
Rumours suggest that China may replace the Russian engine in J-20 with a domestic WS-10C engine. This new engine will be more reliable and more efficient, as the Chinese military seeks to decrease their dependence on foreign engines. But, when comparing the engines, one must be aware of the differences.
PLA Air Force confirmed in January 2021 that their J-20 aircraft will have a domestically designed WS-10C-powered engine. They made this information public through a video promoting a pilot recruitment program. The domestically developed WS-10C engine is expected to help the J-20 gain maneuverability. The fact that J-20s are entering service more often suggests that the aircraft is getting more technically advanced and is still in the early stages for mass production.
WS-15 nozzle
The WS-15 nozzle was designed to provide excellent maneuverability and high thrust for the J-20. It's a much more powerful jet engine that the F119, and it is likely to give the J-20 unmatched flight performance. Additionally, the WS-15 supports thrust vector management.
PLAAF has spent more than $4.4 Billion on the J-20 program, each J-20 costing around $120 M. The engines are Russian AL-31s. China is trying to replace them by their own WS-15 nozzles. China is not able to replace all the Russian engines, as was originally expected.
AESA
They are very similar in terms of their capabilities. However, the engines and range of the F-22 and J-20 aircrafts differ greatly. The Russian AL-31FM2 engine powers the J-20, which produces 145kN thrust. The F-22's engine produces 180kN thrust. They also appear to share a similar stealth design, though the F-22's axi-symmetric nozzles are exposed to radar and its canards would compromise stealth.
Both the F-22 and J-20 are AESA-equipped, and both can carry their weapons in internal compartments. However, the J-20 possesses a number of unique features that set it apart from its American counterpart. It is a twin engine configuration that canard-delta has with supersonic intakes deviated-less and a shaped nasal. The F-22, on the other hand, has a gun and active electronically scanned array radar (AESA).
Infrared track and search
The IRST sensor is typically installed in a spherical glass enclosure on the front of a fighter aircraft. It can scan an instantaneous target's field of vision using either a Staring array or a single component. While this sensor does not detect distances as well as radar, it can provide accurate information about the locations of targets.
The IRST sensor, however, is older-style and less powerful than civilian surveillance cameras. It will not be as effective at detecting targets at 80km, and it won't be as fast at 20-30 km. The F-22 is more stealthy than the J-20 and will be quicker and more stealthy.