Former designer decodes secrets of China's J-10 fighter jet series

China

Former designer decodes secrets of China's J-10 fighter jet series

2025-06-03 15:52 Last Updated At：19:27

A veteran former designer involved in the development of the J-10 fighter jet series has unveiled some of the secrets behind the iconic Chinese-made jet, which has recently been in the spotlight for its role in international conflicts.

The J-10 fighter jet, also dubbed "Vigorous Dragon", is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft using a delta wing and canard design developed by the AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co., Ltd. The J-10CE is an improved version of the J-10, designed for export as a single-engine, single-seat, multi-role third-generation fighter jet.

In an aircraft hangar in southwest China's Chengdu City, Xie Pin, the former deputy chief designer who was involved in the development of the J-10 fighter jet, said that the J-10CE features collaborative combat capabilities, long-range multi-target strikes, and multi-mode precision strikes against ground targets, even in strong electromagnetic interference environments.

"It's been over 40 years since development started for the J-10 series. But as you can see, it still looks so beautiful and modern. This fighter jet has a canard configuration. This is the canard wing. What's the benefit of it? When it intersects with the leading edge of the main wing, it creates a vortex, and this vortex, after passing over the upper surface of the wing, increases the airflow speed, which in turn increases its lift," said the 86-year-old designer.

Although its design dates back more than 40 years, the J-10CE remains a powerful fighter thanks to continuous technological upgrades. For example, to reduce its radar cross-section, the aircraft's cockpit has been coated with a special film. Additionally, its intake has been designed with a unique structure, further enhancing its stealth capabilities.

"This intake is called a 'clamshell' intake. The intake is located underneath the aircraft's fuselage, with a gap in the middle, allowing the low-energy boundary layer airflow to be directed into the gap and expelled. This helps reduce the aircraft's drag. The weight of this kind of intake is also light," said Xie.

Over the years, radar and weaponry systems have undergone significant improvements, enhancing the aircraft's capabilities in modern combat. These upgrades have substantially improved the aircraft's operational range and firepower, making the J-10CE a formidable force in the sky.

"In the past, the J-7 and J-8 fighters we worked on were 'nearsighted'. Why? Because they couldn't detect targets at long distances. Now, with advanced radar technology, the J-10 fighter jet can detect targets up to about 200 kilometers. Additionally, the J-10 fighter jet has 11 external hardpoints, which can carry weapons, various pods, and long-range, beyond-visual-range missiles. So it possesses formidable lethality," said Xie.

Russian artist bridges cultures with Chinese ink painting

Olga Sumarokova, a Moscow-based Russian artist, has been devoted to traditional Chinese painting for 15 years, serving as a cultural bridge between China and Russia.

Sumarokova has been deeply fascinated by Chinese painting, particularly the xieyi, or freehand style, which is marked by loose brushstrokes and light colors to convey poetry.

She said what she loves about Chinese painting is the philosophy it embodies, as well as the artistic conception that cannot be fully expressed in words.

Before studying traditional Chinese painting, Sumarokova worked as a designer. She began learning bird-and-flower painting and gongbi painting, a realistic and elaborate-style Chinese painting technique under Russian Chinese-painting artist Yulia Naumova. During her studies, Sumarokova traveled to China almost every year for further training.

At her studio in Moscow, Sumarokova also teaches freehand style Chinese painting. She said that the freehand style of Chinese painting requires long-term observation and moments of inspiration, but without an understanding of Chinese culture, the art would be groundless, like water without a source and a tree without roots.

Sumarokova said she will continue learning from Chinese masters and refining her skills. She said even when her hands tremble one day, she will not give up the art. She plans to keep running her studio, taking part in exhibitions and exchanging with artists from different parts of China.

"I truly admire China's development. China 14 years ago was totally different from it is today. And in terms of the people, the changes in the Chinese people are also remarkable. I'm sure that Chinese people are especially good at expressing their artistic charm," she said.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Sumarokova created an ink-wash painting of galloping horses in freehand style. Falling on Tuesday this year, the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, is China's most important festival marked by family reunions, festive foods and New Year wishes. Chinese New Year's Day in 2026 marked the start of the Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 zodiac animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Sumarokova said in Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes speed and achievement. She hopes this year will be filled with good ideas, achievements and exciting moments -- a blessing to her Chinese friends, and to herself.