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Monday marks the 10th anniversary of China's J-20 stealth fighter's maiden flight, which saw the aircraft land successfully at a test base in southwest China after an 18-minute flight.
Since then, the fourth-generation fighter jet for which China has sole intellectual property rights has had numerous tests on various prototypes.
China's J-20 stealth fighter in flight. Zhu Peng/China Aviation News
The J-20 appeared in public for the first time in November 2016 when two jets flew in formation during the China International Aviation Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, also known as the Zhuhai Airshow.
On February 9, 2018, the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) officially commissioned the J-20 into military service.
Analysts said at the time that compared with other fourth-generation fighters, the J-20 had clear advantages in research, development and testing.
The J-20 stealth fighter landing. Zhang Zhidong/China Aviation News
It took part in air warfare training with the J-16, J-10C and other fighter jets, boosting the air forces' overall combat strength, according to the PLAAF.
In May that year, the J-20 participated in its first combat training over the ocean.
Half a year later, the aircraft appeared again at the Zhuhai Airshow, flying in four-plane formation for the first time in public.
J-20s fly in formation. Yue Shuhua/China Aviation News
According to various sources, the fourth-generation stealth fighter was first equipped with Russian AL-31 engines, but the latest signs show that this is changing.
In a recent video released by the PLAAF for its pilot recruitment program, a J-20 was identified as the fighter jet is equipped with China's domestically developed WS-10C engine.
Computer-generated imagery of four twin-seat J-20 variations was also seen in a video released by the aircraft's developer, Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
According to the Global Times, it was the first time an official promotional source had featured such a variation.
Military analysts said the new signs show that the J-20 is heading for a higher level, enabling more complicated tasks. Domestic engines will enable mass production of the fighter jet without the limit of imported engines, they said.
