In an aircraft hangar in southwest China’s Chengdu City, 86-year-old designer Xie Pin stands beside the sleek frame of the J-10 fighter jet, a testament to China’s aviation prowess. “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,” he says with a proud smile.
The J-10, also known as the “Vigorous Dragon,” is a single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft that has become an icon of Chinese aerospace innovation. Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the jet features a distinctive delta wing and canard design, contributing to its agility and performance.
“This fighter jet has a canard configuration,” Xie explains, pointing to the small forward wings. “What’s the benefit? When it intersects with the leading edge of the main wing, it creates a vortex. This vortex increases the airflow speed over the wing’s upper surface, which in turn increases its lift.”
Despite its four-decade-old design, the J-10 has remained a formidable presence in the skies thanks to continuous technological upgrades. The latest variant, the J-10CE, boasts enhanced stealth capabilities. “To reduce its radar cross-section, we’ve coated the cockpit with a special film,” Xie reveals. “Additionally, its intake has a unique ‘clamshell’ design. There’s a gap that allows low-energy boundary layer airflow to be expelled, reducing drag and lightening the overall weight.”
The advancements don’t stop there. Modern radar and weaponry systems have significantly elevated the J-10’s combat capabilities. “In the past, the fighters we worked on were ‘nearsighted’—they couldn’t detect targets at long distances,” Xie recalls. “Now, the J-10 can detect targets up to about 200 kilometers away. It has 11 external hardpoints that can carry weapons, various pods, and long-range, beyond-visual-range missiles. So it possesses formidable lethality.”
The J-10CE is designed for export and features collaborative combat capabilities, long-range multi-target strikes, and precision strikes against ground targets—even in environments with strong electromagnetic interference. These upgrades have not only extended the aircraft’s operational range but also enhanced its firepower, ensuring it remains a key player in modern aerial warfare.
As Xie gazes at the aircraft he helped bring to life, his eyes reflect both nostalgia and hope. “The J-10 series embodies decades of dedication and innovation,” he says. “It’s a symbol of how far we’ve come and the possibilities that lie ahead.”
