Righto. I got sidetracked by Boeing's 45000lb class on its tech specs. Checking back its 33.5k lbs empty w.o CFT and 37.5k lbs w CFT = agreed.
Nevertheless, nothing posted has changed the basic argument. The J-20 is fitted with twin AL31FM2 engines, each with 31.5k lb thrust or 63k lbs.
https://www.rt.com/news/364947-china-fi ... t-airshow/If assuming an F-15C with twin 220 driving 47,540 lb thrust on a 33,500 lb empty weight derives a thrust weight ratio of 1.42. A J-20 with 63k lbs thrust on 44000 lb empty weight derives a thrust weight of 1.43. No one ever claimed an F-15C was sluggish.
Agree F-35 is an awesome plane. The F-35 may be better than a J-20 but it is not objective to ignore the J-20 has many features that enable it to similarly beat the F-15. Firstly, it has less drag with no external tanks. It has greater thrust in its engines. And like the F-15C, its A2A internal only so far. 6-8 missiles is not a heavy weapons load. So really, its a function of how much fuel it carries, even if the 44,000lb empty weight is validated, which it is not. If its lighter...
P.s. The F-35A has a 1.48 thrust-empty weight ratio but the F-35B has less. Doesn't mean anything right because the B carries less fuel to compensate for the diff.