The Chengdu J-20, China's first domestically developed fifth-generation stealth fighter, began its physical manifestation following the endorsement of Chengdu Aerospace Corporation's Project 718 in 2008. Manufacturing of the initial prototypes occurred between 2009 and 2010, with the first prototype, numbered 2001, undergoing high-speed taxiing tests on December 22, 2010. The aircraft reached its most significant construction milestone on January 11, 2011, when it successfully completed its maiden flight at an airfield in Chengdu. This historic flight lasted approximately 15 minutes and was piloted by Li Gang, officially transitioning the J-20 from a ground prototype to an airborne test vehicle. Subsequent prototypes with various design refinements were built throughout the following years, leading to low-rate initial production in December 2015 and formal entry into active service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2017.