Top Chinese military aircraft designers have unveiled a proposal to move beyond traditional radar placement in fighter jets. Currently, most fighter aircraft house their primary radar systems behind a nose radome, while early-warning aircraft typically carry large, bulky radar structures above the fuselage. The new proposal suggests integrating large antenna arrays directly into the wings of stealth aircraft, such as the J-20.

Integrating radar into wings presents significant engineering challenges, primarily because the thin cross-section of a wing offers very little internal volume for complex equipment. To address this, designers are exploring a method that utilizes specific flight maneuvers to enhance the radar's operational effectiveness. By embedding the technology into the wing surface, the design seeks to increase the aircraft's detection capabilities without relying on the external structures that typically compromise stealth profiles.

While the SCMP report outlines the technical ambition of this project, it does not specify a timeline for implementation or provide details on how this integration might affect the structural integrity or aerodynamic performance of the J-20. The proposal remains in the design phase, representing a shift in how Chinese aerospace engineers are approaching the balance between stealth and sensor power.