J-20 vs Patriot SAM System – China vs US

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November 16, 2021

J-20 vs Patriot SAM System – China vs US

Video Summary

The United States was once the sole owner of the stealth technology, first with the F-22 and then the F-35. However, China joined the club in 2017 with the J-20. This technological advantage, which gave the US an upper hand in air-to-air combat and air defense, has been disappearing ever since. Not only are fighter aircraft no longer just for air-to-air combat, but they can also strike targets on the ground. The J-20 can carry a smaller version of the LS6 glide bomb and an anti-radiation missile, the YJ-91, which is a copy of the Soviet Kh-31P designed to destroy Patriot radar.

The US still relies heavily on Patriot, its land-based air defense system, which is designed to stop enemy aircraft like the J-20. However, the Chinese military has been working on improving its air defenses, and the J-20’s range and capabilities make it a formidable opponent. In a potential showdown between the J-20 and Patriot, the outcome would depend on various factors, such as the specific scenario, the aircraft’s performance, and the location.

One possible location for such a showdown is Okinawa, which is near China and has the largest US base in the region, Kadena Air Base, which is defended by Patriot and is heavily armed with radar systems. However, the J-20 could operate from one of several dozen air bases within range, and its stealth capabilities would make it difficult to detect.

The J-20’s YJ-91 anti-radiation missile has a range of approximately 100 kilometers, which is just within the range of Patriot, and it could be launched from a lower altitude, reducing the chance of detection. However, the J-20’s stealth capabilities would also be compromised by carrying weapons and fuel tanks externally, reducing its standoff range.

Anti-radar missiles like the YJ-91 work by listening for radar signals and following them to guide the missile to its target. This puts the radar operator in a difficult spot, as they would have to decide whether to turn on the radar to detect the J-20, making it an easy target, or remain dark, leaving them blind to an incoming attack. The Patriot system has struggled in the past, and the US has not invested as much in its land-based air defense systems as other countries like China and Russia, which has allowed them to develop more effective systems.

In the end, even if Patriot were to shoot down some J-20s, the sheer number of aircraft and the reliability of the weapons and aircraft would make it difficult to achieve a high level of success, highlighting the need for the US to reevaluate its air defense priorities in the face of rapidly changing technologies. As China’s military capabilities continue to improve, the US will need to prioritize defense to maintain its edge.