China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet Wins Medal for ‘Appearance Design’

China’s J-20 stealth fighter jet won a Gold Medal for ‘Appearance Design’ awarded by the country’s National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA)

The Gold Medal was given during the China Patent Award ceremony on July 14. This is the first time for the Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute (CADI), a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), to won such a national-level patent award. The J-20 was designed and developed by CADI.

“The award won by J-20 fighter jet is not only the recognition of the CADI' work, but also the affirmation of its independent innovation capability in aircraft design,” a statement on the Peoples Liberation Army’s news website said.

The J-20 is said to have been inspired by the United States’ F-22 though it differs considerably in design and features. While the F-22 is due for an upgrade the J-20 has been continuously improved since its entry into service in 2018.

The most important improvement is the replacement of the Russian AL-41FM2 engine a China-made WS-15 engine which offers improved thrust and possibly super-cruise ability. The latter is said be in test and future J-20s could be equipped with this engine.