The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is significantly enhancing the combat capabilities of its J-20 stealth fighter, as revealed in recent visuals showcasing the aircraft in a ‘beast mode’ configuration. The images and videos circulating on social media indicate that the Mighty Dragon is now capable of carrying externally mounted PL-15 air-to-air missiles, a move that bolsters its firepower at the expense of its stealth features.
This development follows similar trends seen in the U.S. F-35 and Russian Su-57 fighter jets, which have also been observed carrying external missile loads to increase their strike potential. The latest evidence suggests that China is pushing forward in adapting its most advanced fighter jet for multiple combat roles, possibly in response to escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
J-20 in Beast Mode
A recent video posted on social media displayed a J-20 fighter in flight, seemingly armed with eight PL-15 medium-to-long-range air-to-air missiles—four under each wing on external pylons. This configuration drastically increases the J-20’s firepower compared to its traditional stealth configuration, where its missiles are housed in internal weapons bays.
The images were first shared by PLA watcher Rupprecht Dieno on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), who noted that a similar image had surfaced in December 2024. This suggests that China may have been experimenting with this configuration for several months.
Adding to this, another military analyst, known as ‘Hurin,’ posted a photograph claiming that another J-20 was armed with as many as 14 to 16 PL-15 missiles. If confirmed, this would make the J-20 one of the most heavily armed stealth fighters in the world.
J-20’s Weapons Load
The J-20 was originally designed with three internal weapons bays—one large underbelly bay and two smaller side bays near the engines. Traditionally, it could carry up to four PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles in its main weapons bay, along with one PL-10 short-range missile in each of the side bays.
However, China has been actively developing new technologies to increase the number of weapons that the J-20 can carry internally. At the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, China unveiled the PL-15E, a variant of the PL-15 missile with foldable fins. This design allows the J-20 to carry up to six of these missiles in its internal bay, as opposed to just four standard PL-15s.
This shift is reminiscent of the U.S. approach to enhancing the F-35’s missile capacity, where the AIM-120 AMRAAM was modified with smaller fins to fit into the jet’s internal bays. However, despite this improvement, China appears to have opted for external missile carriage as well, dramatically increasing the J-20’s offensive potential.
Stealth vs. Firepower Trade-Off
Stealth aircraft like the J-20 are designed to conceal weapons within their fuselage to minimize their radar cross-section, making them harder to detect. The addition of external missile pylons, however, significantly increases the aircraft’s radar signature, making it more visible to enemy radar systems.
In what has been dubbed “beast mode,” the J-20 sacrifices stealth for brute firepower. While this limits its ability to penetrate enemy airspace undetected, it enhances its combat effectiveness in situations where stealth is not a priority.
Military analyst and retired Indian Air Force veteran Air Marshal Anil Chopra has emphasized that the ability to carry a greater number of weapons internally is critical for stealth fighters. “The one who controls the aerospace controls the planet,” he stated, reinforcing the idea that superior firepower and air superiority are key to modern air combat.
J-20
The PLAAF could employ a mix of stealth and beast-mode J-20s in combat. A potential strategy could involve stealth-configured J-20s leading an airstrike, using their low observability to infiltrate contested airspace and engage enemy assets. Meanwhile, beast-mode J-20s would follow behind, providing additional firepower in a supportive role.
China’s decision to adopt beast mode for the J-20 is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its air dominance, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions with the United States and its allies continue to rise.
U.S. F-35
China is not alone in experimenting with external missile configurations for its stealth fighters. The U.S. F-35 Lightning II has also been seen in beast mode, carrying additional weapons on external pylons to maximize its combat effectiveness.
However, the J-20 boasts a higher payload capacity compared to the F-35. U.S. defense analyst Kris Osborn previously stated that the J-20 could carry 27,998 pounds of ordnance, while an F-35 in beast mode could carry only 18,000 pounds. This gives the J-20 a distinct advantage in carrying more missiles per mission.
PL-15 in China’s Air Superiority Strategy
One of the most notable aspects of the J-20’s beast mode configuration is its reliance on the PL-15 air-to-air missile, which has drawn comparisons to the American AIM-120 AMRAAM.
The PL-15 features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and a dual-pulse rocket motor, enabling it to engage targets at ranges estimated between 200 and 300 kilometers. The missile has already been integrated into other Chinese fighter jets, including the J-10C, J-15, J-16, J-11B, and JF-17 Block III.
The PL-15’s introduction was a wake-up call for the U.S. Air Force, leading to the development of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) to surpass the PL-15’s range and capabilities.
China’s Development of Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missiles
While the PL-15 is currently the backbone of China’s air-to-air missile arsenal, the PLAAF is actively developing longer-range and more advanced missile systems:
- PL-16 and PL-17: Initially thought to be China’s go-to missiles for external carriage on the J-20, these longer-range missiles were designed for engaging high-value targets like AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) and refueling aircraft.
- PL-17 VLRAAM (Very Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile): Reportedly has an estimated range of 400 kilometers, more than double the range of the U.S. AIM-120D.
- PL-21: Expected to be China’s answer to the AIM-260 JATM and Russia’s R-37M, the PL-21 is estimated to have a range of 300-400 kilometers and features a ramjet propulsion system for extended engagement capabilities.
These advanced air-to-air weapons indicate China’s focus on long-range air superiority, aiming to keep U.S. and allied aircraft at bay before they can get within striking distance.
Indo-Pacific
The Indo-Pacific region remains a flashpoint for military tensions, particularly in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. As the U.S. and China prepare for potential conflicts, increasing firepower and air superiority capabilities have become paramount.
With both nations pushing the boundaries of fighter jet technology, the J-20’s new beast mode configuration could serve as a strategic deterrent or as an offensive game-changer in potential air battles.
However, at this stage, it is unclear whether the J-20 in beast mode is fully operational within the PLAAF or if it remains an experimental concept.
