SOURCE: AFI
Recent close-up images of China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the J-20, have set off a firestorm of discussion on X, pitting Chinese aviation enthusiasts against Western skeptics. The detailed shots, which reveal exposed rivets, panel seams, and other surface imperfections, have led many to question the jet’s stealth credentials—and even its origins.
The viral nature of the images has fueled a broader online war of words, with users dissecting every visible feature and drawing comparisons to established stealth aircraft like the American F-22 and Russia’s Su-57.
One X user’s post encapsulated the skepticism, sarcastically ticking off a checklist of perceived flaws:
Exposed rivets, Canards, Dogshit exhaust, Mid engines, Exposed panel seams, Reflective bodywork
“Yep… Stealth mode on… Time to end the US global hegemony,” the user quipped, implying that the J-20’s design falls short of the sleek, radar-evading profile expected of a fifth-generation fighter. The post quickly gained traction, amplifying the debate.
The J-20, developed by Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, has long been touted by China as a cornerstone of its military modernization, designed to rival the likes of the U.S. F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Its stealth capabilities are a key selling point, with Chinese state media claiming the jet’s radar cross-section is minimized through advanced materials and aerodynamic shaping. However, the newly surfaced images have cast doubt on those claims, with critics pointing to the visible rivets and seams as potential weak points that could reflect radar waves.
Western users were quick to pounce. Some argued that the exposed fasteners—unlike the flush, seamless surfaces of the F-22 or the Su-57’s more refined finish—suggest a lack of sophistication. “Those rivets are screaming ‘I’m here’ to any radar system,” one user remarked. Others questioned whether the J-20 is truly an indigenous design, with speculation swirling that it may owe more to stolen technology or reverse-engineered components than China admits.
Chinese defenders, however, pushed back. One theory gaining traction among supporters is that the visible rivets and seams might not tell the whole story. “The fastener heads have a hole in the top (vs. a Phillips on the Su-57), and there’s a countersink/counterbore around them,” an X user observed. “I suspect they have plugs or putty they can attach prior to a mission.” This argument draws a historical parallel to the U.S. F-117 Nighthawk, a first-generation stealth aircraft that relied on radar-absorbent material (RAM) putty to fill seams and cover fasteners before missions. If true, this could indicate that the J-20’s apparent flaws are mitigated during operational preparation, preserving its stealth profile.
The debate has also veered into technical territory, with users analyzing the jet’s canards (small forward wings), engine placement, and exhaust design. Critics argue the canards—absent on U.S. stealth fighters—could increase radar visibility, while the exhaust, described by some as “dogshit,” lacks the heat-dispersing features seen on Western counterparts. Proponents counter that these design choices reflect a different engineering philosophy, prioritizing maneuverability and versatility over pure stealth.
Beyond the technical sparring, the X war has taken on a geopolitical edge. For some Chinese users, the J-20 symbolizes a challenge to “U.S. global hegemony,” with one declaring, “Stealth or not, it’s enough to keep the West on its toes.” Western commentators, meanwhile, see the jet as overhyped, with one user snarking, “Fifth-gen on paper, third-gen in practice.”
As the images continue to circulate, the J-20 remains a lightning rod for speculation and national pride. Whether its rivets are a fatal flaw or a clever disguise may only be revealed in combat—a test that, for now, exists only in the realm of online battles. Until then, X remains the frontline, where every pixel is ammunition.
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