Aircraft
Chengdu’s J-10B Multirole Fighter on Trial
With J-10A production in full stride, Chengdu is working on integrating new technology, which may lead to an improved production aircraft.

With J-10A production in full stride, Chengdu is working on integrating new technology, which may lead to an improved production aircraft. A prototype has been seen and photographed with several important new features. Most obvious are new radome and intake structures. The radome is longer than that of the J-10A, is flattened in the style of the F-16 and joins the fuselage structure at an angled bulkhead, suggesting that the aircraft could be fitted with an AESA antenna.

The J-10B also has a diverterless supersonic intake, employing a fixed serpentine duct that reduces frontal radar cross section by shielding the engine compressor face. Problems had also been reported with the J-10A’s original intake design, leading to the installation of inelegant bracing struts. It can be assumed that the new intake does not suffer in the same way.

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