"2017" prototype heralds the end of an era for J-20 fighter jet testing, start of another era

By Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer Posted Yesterday at 8:00am
Dec. 1, 2015

The eighth J-20 prototype "2017" made its maiden flight on November 24,
2015 at the Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) factory in Chengdu,
China. Complete with a red carpet launch ceremony, the event was well
attended by AVIC dignitaries, J-20 program personnel and government
officials. After several months of preliminary flight testing, "2017"
is likely to be taken by the Chine Test Flight Establishment (CTFE) to
remote northern China, where it can conduct more significant testing
away from prying eyes.

The most significant change in the new prototype is the reshaped
cockpit canopy, which provides the pilot with greater visibility. The
lack of othergreat design changes suggest that "2017" is very close to
the final J-20 production configuration. Since "2017" is likely the
last J-20 prototype, low rate initial production (LRIP) of the J-20 is
likely to being next year. Assuming serial production, the first
Chinese squadron of J-20s will start flying in 2017, about six years
after the J-20's first flight in January 2011.

If those projections hold, China be the second country in the world,
after the U.S., to field an operational stealth fighter force in the
"fifth generation" category. While the initial batch of J-20s may not
be as fast as the F-22 (but will be fast as the F-35), they will still
possess stealthy features, advanced radars, jammers, infrared sensors
and long range missiles, providing new competition in the arms race to
dominate the skies.

http://www.popsci.com/2017-prototype-heralds-end-an-era-for-j-20-fighter-jet-testing-start-another-era

"2017"