SINGAPORE—China’s first Chengdu J-20 fighter fitted with new, domestically developed WS-15 engines appears to have made its first flight on June 29.

Videos and photos of a primer-painted J-20 departing from the Chengdu Aircraft Cooperation plant with the engines are circulating on social media. 

The quality and angle of the video makes it hard to verify the engine nozzles with certainty. However, a follow-up photo of the aircraft on the ground appears to show crew and Chengdu personnel gathering around the aircraft holding a celebratory banner that includes the number “15,” suggesting the WS-15. 

Qiang Wei, program lead at Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials (BIAM), connected to Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), said in March that the WS-10 and WS-15 are now in serial production following the finalization of material verifications. However, he acknowledged weaknesses in China’s wrought superalloy materials supply chain and called for greater investment for the country to achieve its large-scale military engine production roadmap. 

In 2022, state media CCTV and GlobalTimes described the WS-15 as a “low bypass ratio, thrust vector control turbofan engine for fifth-generation heavy and medium fighter jets.” The engine is estimated to have 15-18 tons of thrust. 

The installation of the WS-15 on the J-20 will presumably bring the J-20 powerplant journey to an end. Initially powered by Russian AL-21FM2 and now domestically built WS-10, the WS-15 will allow the J-20 to possess super-cruise capability and improved maneuverability.