China has claimed significant advances in the capabilities of the fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters, claiming that advances in semiconductor technology over the past 20 years will allow them to detect enemy aircraft three times the previous range.
The J-20 has tripled Radar detection The advances in silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors developed by Shandong University scientist Xu Xiangang and his team have reported that Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
“The Silicon Cobide (SIC) semiconductor material developed by the Xu team has accelerated a triple increase in the detection range of phased array radar systems, allowing Chinese radars to detect enemies quickly and acquire the benefits of initial registration.
“From the J-20’s onboard system to advanced weapons, this “Chinese chip” is important for national security,” the May 30 post said.
The “same chip” will “enhance the range of China’s radar, improve missile accuracy, increase the power of laser weapons, and become the “hardcore shield” essential in defense technology. ”
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In a video accompanying the social media post, Xu explained the importance of advances in silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors.
“The US had already applied SIC to its F-35 stealth fighter jets and terminal high-altitude area defense (THAAD) systems.
US – China “Chip Wall”
China’s development of indigenous SIC semiconductor chips is expected to be of importance in light of the new chip war between the US and China.
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The US-China “chip war” refers to the escalating tension between the two countries that dominate the global semiconductor industry, based on concerns about national security, technological advantages and economic competition.
These semiconductor chips are important in a wide range of modern devices, including smartphones, computers, electric vehicles, medical devices, and AI development.
Particularly in military applications for joint warfare, semiconductors are of paramount importance due to their ability to quickly and efficiently process and transmit huge amounts of data. It enables the development of advanced radar systems, communication devices, navigation systems and weapons.
The US is taking several steps to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor chip technologies. that It imposes export controls on advanced chips and chip-making equipment, limiting sales to China. The US passed the Chips Science Act in 2022, funding domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing.
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Xu argued that such efforts by the US and its allies to shut China off the semiconductor supply chain would serve as catalysts for Beijing to develop these chips domestically.
“If our country needs such material but cannot source it (from foreign countries), our team is dedicated to our efforts to develop technology to produce high-precision semi-inserted SIC crystals,” Xu said in the video.
The process of developing these chips faced many challenges within the country, but Xu’s team ultimately succeeded.
Initially, we faced many challenges, such as “ungrowing, poor quality, and difficulties in processing afterwards” of SIC semiconductors.
“Twenty years ago, we were unable to even produce a substrate that met the basic criteria. Now we can precisely tune and control the growth of the material.”
Xu further emphasized that SIC semiconductors can be used to extend battery life, enhance smart electric grids, promote quantum communication and support space exploration.
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Silicon Carbide Semiconductor
Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon and carbon. This is a very hard semiconductor material suitable for high-power devices that operate at temperatures significantly higher than traditional semiconductors.
Commenting on the SIC’s semiconductors, Vijainder Thakur, a veteran and military commentator of the Indian Air Force, said, “The J-20 radar system incorporates silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductors into active electronic scan array (AESA) radars.
“SIC semiconductors made from silicon and carbon compounds are a type of wide bandgap semiconductors, offering greater advantages over traditional silicon-based semiconductors, particularly in high power, high frequency, and high temperature applications.”
“Wide bandgap semiconductors have a larger energy bandgap. They have the energy needed to move electrons from the valence band (where they are bonded to atoms) to the conduction band (which can freely move and conduct electricity). These materials handle high pressures, operate reliably at high temperatures (often above 600°C) and reduce the energy loss of electrons.”
SIC semiconductors are ideal for high frequency devices as broadband materials, as they can handle voltages of more than 10 times the allowable limits of conventional silicon-based semiconductors.
China’s answer to the J-20 and F-22
The Chengdu J-20, also known as The Mighty Dragon, was China’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter to serve the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2017.
The J-20 is a twin-engine fighter jet designed as an atmospheric fighter with precision strike capabilities. The first development began in the late 1990s. The J-20 has a long, mixed fuselage with a carved nose section, a frameless canopy, and a double canard.
The J-20 comes in three variants: the initial production model J-20A, the thrust vector J-20B, and the corresponding J-20 for twin seat teams.
The J-20S is the first two-seat stealth fighter ever. The aircraft has diverterless supersonic intake intake (DSI) intake, stealth coating, and streamlined underway fairing. The AFT section includes twin outward all-moving fins, short but deep ventral strakes, and traditional or low observable engine exhausts. Multi-roll operations are supported by the integrated targeting pods of precision guided ammunition. The second crew of two seats is the Weapon System Operator (WSO), who can one day control the “faithful wingman.”
The J-20 avionics aims to provide high situational awareness through advanced sensor fusion. The aircraft features a modern glass cockpit and is equipped with a helmet mounted display (HMD) system. The main internal weapons bay can house long-range air-to-air missiles (AAMs), such as the PL-12, PL-15, and PL-21, as well as precision guided ammunition.
For a long time, Chinese analysts have projected the J-20 as an answer to the US F-22 Raptor, rather than the F-35.
Plaaf already has several J-20s in all five theatre commands, and by 2026, each command will have at least one to two J-20 brigades. China currently has over 200 J-20 stealth fighters, with the number expected to rise to nearly 1,000 by 2035.
China recently announced that the J-20 will be changed to carry nuclear weapons.
In particular, China has accepted exporting fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, but despite the J-35 and Beijing, which have been in service for nearly eight years, have not placed the J-20 in the export market.
This clearly shows that China wants to keep the J-20 a secret, as in the case of the F-22.
Sumit Ahlawat has over 10 years of experience in the news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times and Microsoft News. He holds a Masters degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK. The author’s personal view. He can be contacted at ahlawat.sumit85(at)gmail.com
