China’s J-20 Fighter Gets Triple Radar Range With Homegrown Semiconductor Breakthrough: Report

China has claimed a major leap in its military radar capabilities, asserting that its J-20 stealth fighter can now detect enemy aircraft at three times the previous range — owing to advances in silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors developed domestically, South China Morning Post reported.

The announcement was made via Shandong University’s official social media page on 30 May, crediting scientist Xu Xiangang and his team with the breakthrough.

Xu heads the university’s Institute of Novel Semiconductors and also serves as director of the State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials.

According to the university, a new SiC-based chip developed by Xu’s team has enabled phased array radar systems to achieve a threefold increase in detection range, allowing the J-20 — China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter — to spot targets swiftly and more accurately.

The same chip is also said to enhance missile precision, laser weapon strength, and overall radar performance.

“This ‘Chinese chip’ is crucial for national security,” the University's social media post said, describing the material as a “hardcore shield” for China’s defence systems.

In a video accompanying the post, Xu explained that while the United States had already integrated similar SiC semiconductors into its F-35 jets and THAAD missile systems, China’s ability to now produce high-purity, semi-insulating SiC crystals marked a “self-reliance” milestone after two decades of catching up.

“Twenty years ago, we couldn’t even produce a substrate meeting basic standards,” Xu said in an accompanying video. “Now, we can precisely control the material’s growth and quality.”

The J-20, also known as the "Mighty Dragon," officially entered active service in 2017.

Beijing has positioned the J-20 as a symbol of technological parity with US stealth capabilities.

The university also praised Xu’s achievements in scaling SiC crystal growth from 2 inches to 12 inches.

Xu's patented technologies to companies like SICC and Summit Crystal Semiconductor, according to the SCMP report.

Xu's work, which began in 2000, has reportedly enabled the integration of SiC materials into radars used in advanced aircraft, warships, and missiles.

According to the university, his innovations have helped break foreign monopolies, enabled domestic production, and supported national defense programs such as laser weaponry and guided missile systems.

The announcement comes amid continued US-led export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technologies, especially those used in military and AI applications.

Xu directly referenced this in the video, noting that “when our country cannot source these materials from abroad, we dedicate ourselves to developing them here.”

Silicon carbide, a wide bandgap semiconductor first discovered in 1891, is known for its extreme hardness and high-temperature resilience.

These properties make it suitable for high-power devices, including those used in radar, electric vehicles, and quantum communication systems.

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