China has claimed major advancements in the capabilities of its fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighter, asserting that it can now detect enemy aircraft at three times the previous range, thanks to advancements in semiconductor technology over the past two decades.
The J-20 has tripled its radar detection range owing to advances in silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, developed by China’s Shandong University scientist Xu Xiangang and his team, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.
“A silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor material developed by Xu’s team had powered a threefold increase in the detection range of phased array radar systems,” allowing Chinese radars to swiftly detect enemies and gain the first-mover advantage, Shandong University said on its social media page.
“From the J-20’s on-board systems to advanced weaponry, this ‘Chinese chip’ is crucial for national security,” the May 30 post said.
The ‘same chip’ also “enhances the range of Chinese radars, improves missile accuracy and boosts the power of laser weapons, making it an indispensable ‘hardcore shield’ in defence technology.”
In a video accompanying the social media post, Xu explained the significance of the advancements in silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors.
“The United States had already applied semi-insulating SiC on its F-35 stealth fighter jets and the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system. Without (high-range) radar, even the best-performing aircraft cannot be effective,” Xu noted in the video.
The US-China ‘Chip-War’
China’s development of an indigenous SiC semiconductor chip assumes significance in light of an emerging chip war between the US and China.
The US-China ‘chip war’ refers to the escalating tensions between the two countries over controlling the global semiconductor industry, driven by concerns about national security, technological dominance, and economic competition.
These semiconductor chips are crucial in a range of modern devices, including smartphones, computers, electric vehicles, medical devices, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In military applications, especially for joint warfighting, semiconductors are of utmost importance due to their ability to process and transmit vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently. They enable the development of advanced radar systems, communication devices, navigation systems, and weaponry.
The US has taken several steps to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductor chip technology. It has imposed export controls on advanced chips and chipmaking equipment, limiting their sale to China. The US also passed the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, providing funding for domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing.
Xu asserted that such efforts by the US and its allies to cut off China from the semiconductor supply chains acted as a catalyst for Beijing to develop these chips domestically.
“When our country needs such material but cannot source it [from foreign countries], our team dedicates our efforts to developing technologies to produce high-purity semi-insulating SiC crystals,” Xu said in the video.
Though the process of developing these chips domestically faced many challenges, Xu’s team ultimately succeeded.
Initially, we faced many challenges, including “inability to grow, poor quality, and subsequent difficulties in the processing” of SiC semiconductors, said Xu, who is also director of the State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials at the university.
“We were not even able to produce a substrate that met basic standards 20 years ago… Now we can adjust and control the material growth precisely.”
Xu further emphasized that SiC semiconductors could also be used to extend battery life, enhance smart electric grids, facilitate quantum communications, and support space exploration.
Silicon Carbide Semiconductors
Silicon carbide is a compound of silicon and carbon. It is an extremely hard semiconductor material suitable for high-power devices operating at temperatures significantly higher than those of conventional semiconductors.
Commenting on the SiC semiconductors, Indian Air Force veteran and military commentator, Vijainder Thakur, said: “The radar system on the J-20 now incorporates silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors in its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
“SiC semiconductors, made from a compound of silicon and carbon, are a type of wide bandgap semiconductor. They offer significant advantages over traditional silicon-based semiconductors, particularly in high-power, high-frequency, and high-temperature applications.”
“A wide bandgap semiconductor has a larger energy bandgap — the energy needed to move an electron from the valence band (where it is bound to an atom) to the conduction band (where it can move freely and conduct electricity). These materials can handle high voltages, operate reliably at elevated temperatures (often up to 600°C or more), and reduce energy losses in power electronics.”
SiC semiconductors, as a wide-bandgap material, can handle voltages more than 10 times the tolerance limit of conventional silicon-based semiconductors, making them ideal for high-frequency devices, the SCMP said.
The J-20, China’s Answer To F-22
The Chengdu J-20, also known as the Mighty Dragon, was China’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter, which entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2017.
The J-20 is a twin-engine fighter jet, designed as an air-superiority fighter with precision strike capability. Initial development began in the late 1990s. The J-20 has a long and blended fuselage with a chiseled nose section, a frameless canopy, and double canards.
The J-20 has three variants: the initial production model J-20A, the thrust-vectoring J-20B, and the twin-seat teaming capable J-20S.
J-20S is the first-ever two-seat stealth fighter. The aircraft has diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) intakes, stealth coating, and streamlined underwing fairings. The aft section has twin outward-canted all-moving fins, short but deep ventral strakes, and conventional or low-observable engine exhausts. Multi-role operations are supported by integrated targeting pods for precision-guided munitions. The second crew in the two-seater will be Weapon Systems Operator (WSO), and may one day control “loyal wingmen”.
The J-20 avionics are meant to give high situational awareness through advanced sensor fusion. The aircraft features a modern glass cockpit and is equipped with a helmet-mounted display (HMD) system, which enables accurate missile firing at high off-bore-sight angles. The main internal weapon bay can house long-range air-to-air missiles (AAM) like PL-12, PL-15, and PL-21, and also precision-guided munitions.
Chinese analysts have long projected the J-20 as an answer to the US F-22 Raptors and not really the F-35s.
PLAAF has already positioned a few 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 more than 200 J-20 stealth fighter aircraft, and this number is expected to increase to nearly 1,000 by 2035.
China recently announced that the J-20 will be modified to carry nuclear weapons.
Notably, while China is open to exporting its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the J-35, Beijing has not placed the J-20 on the export market, despite being in service for nearly eight years.
This clearly shows that, just like the US in the case of F-22, China wants to keep the J-20 a closely guarded secret.
- Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK.
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