AVIC's Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter and Xian Y-20 transport aircraft will return Nov 6-11 as starring exhibits at Airshow China Zhuhai. Static displays and dynamic presentations of the "20-Series" will underscore China's independent R&D capacity to develop and produce advanced aviation equipment.

Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) remains the key exhibitor at what is formally known as the 12th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The large-scale State-owned aerospace and defense firm will focus on 4th-generation aviation equipment, autonomous rather than remote-controlled aircraft, and a balanced land-sea-air defense system.

A major draw will be the 4th-generation J-20 fighter. The warplane has been a developmental breakthrough for AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group), which exhibited 160 aerospace products at the 2016 air show. The J-20 stealth fighter made its world debut then while the Y-20 heavy-transport vehicle first showed itself in Zhuhai in 2014.

The J-20 features a host of cutting-edge technologies such as an electrooptical distributed aperture system, which allows pilots to detect and track enemy aircraft and missiles in every direction simultaneously. Meanwhile, the Y-20 made China the third country after Russia and the US to design and develop its own heavy military transport aircraft. 

J-20 stealth fighter [Photo courtesy China Aviation News]

The high-end "20 Series" will be joined by helicopters, trainers, drones, air transports, special-purpose aircraft, and airborne weapons and systems. Aside from PLA and Pakistan air forces' aerobatics, flights will be made by transports, helicopters, and general aviation craft. They will display an aviation system integrating early warning, defense, combat, communication, and delivery capabilities.

The lineup also includes key military trade products, the latest integrated military/civilian achievements, and technological innovations. Also to be shown are regional passenger planes, civilian helicopters, airborne avionics, electromechanical projects, and general aviation advances.

The 12th international aerospace trade show in China will be held at the Zhuhai Airshow Center in Jinwan District. Demonstrations will spotlight aviation achievements and breakthroughs since Reform & Opening-Up in 1978, and especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, according to a spokesperson.