The Chinese Are Matching U.S. Ingenuity When it Comes To Fighter Jets

China’s New Stealth Fighter’s Missile Launch Rails Prove Beijing Can Improve U.S. Technology -- The Aviationist

In order to preserve their stealthiness and keep the RCS (Radar Cross Section) as low as possible, radar-evading planes rely on weapons bay: bombs and missiles to be fired are kept inside the bays until it’s time to use them.

For instance, the F-35 can carry one AIM-120D (AIM-120C8), on a trapeze : when needed, the BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile is lowered into the airstream on the open bomb bay door, and ejected.

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Update #1: First pics: China's J-20 stealth fighter armed with a missile -- Foreign Policy
Update #2: The Chinese 5th Generation Fighter Has Some Truly Clever Engineering -- Business Insider

My Comment: They are not only showing their ingenuity, but I suspect that when it comes to manufacturing the plane they will .... with time and experience .... do it quickly and cheaply.

J-31/ F60 Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet Prototype

New set of images of the Chinese J-31/ F60 Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet Prototype

In recent images J-31 fighter jet also unveiled its internal weapon bays

China's J-20 Built With Russian Military Jet Engines And Spare Parts

Chinese ‘Mighty Dragon’ Doomed To Breathe Russian Fire -- RT

While Beijing is proudly leaking more images of J-20 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, China continues to buy Russian military jet engines and spare parts, which might indicate China is in a technological deadlock.

­China is making an attempt to catch up with world leaders and develop hi-tech vehicles in the absence of crucial military know-how and technology, like engines for ultrasonic cruise flights and active phased array antennas.

“As of now, it is too early to say that China is capable of creating a fifth-generation jet from start to finish,” told RT Vasily Kashin from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

“As of now, it is too early to say that China is capable of creating a fifth-generation jet from start to finish,” told RT Vasily Kashin from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

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My Comment: In short .... Russian officials are saying that China's touted "fifth generation fighter" is just a collection of Russian parts. That may be true for now .... but China has an uncanny ability to take what is the best out there, and manufacture it cheaper and quicker than anyone else. My prediction .... they will probably be doing the same with their jet fighters in the next few years while mesmerizing U.S. officials on how they are able to mass produce (for cheap) vast numbers of fighter aircraft while our fighter jets are overpriced and suffering from cutbacks in production orders.

Specifications of Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter Jet

Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon 5th generation stealth fighter jet has been developed the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and its first batch will be ready for initial induction in the PLAAF by 2017 to 2018.

Specifications of J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter Jet

Crew: 1

Length: 21.26 Meters (69.75 Feet)

Wing span: 12.88 Meters (42.26 Feet)

Canard span: 7.62 Meters (25.00 Feet)

Height 4.45 Meters (14.60 Feet)

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60th Known Test Flight of J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter Jet

These are the new images from the 60th known flight test of the J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter jet which has been designed to meet the needs of PLAAF for a fifth generation aircraft with capabilities like United States Air Force's (USAF) F-22 Raptor and Russian T-50 PAK-FA.

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Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter and J-10B Fighter Jet

Specifications of J-20 Mighty Dragon Stealth Fighter Jet

Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft

JF-17 Thunder and J-20 Mighty Dragon Fighter Jets

New Images of Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet

JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet with Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet

A Russian - Chinese Alliance To Share Aviation Military Tech?

Photos leaked online appear to show a prototype of China's J-20 stealth fighter jet. Photograph: Photoshot

Chinese Stealth Jet Starts Talk of Russian Aid -- Aviation Week

Similarities between a new Chinese fighter jet and a prototype Russian plane have led to suggestions that Moscow may be quietly helping Beijing compete with the world’s military powers, Reuters reported.



Experts say the fifth-generation J-20 fighter, which made its maiden flight in January during a visit of the U.S. defense secretary, could have its origins in the Mikoyan 1.44 stealth jet that never made it to the production line.



A highly-placed source close to Russia’s defense industry said the similarities suggested Mikoyan technology had been passed into the hands of Chinese arms designers.



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Update: Report: Russia sold China tech for J-20 -- DoD Buzz



My Comment: Since the beginning of this year experts have been wondering on how China was able to develop their stealth jet program so quickly .... hmmmm .... now we know.

Russia Not Impressed With China's 5G Fighter

China's J-10 fighter. © RIA Novosti. Maria Chaplygina

China's 5G Fighter 'A Showoff' -- RIA Novosti

China's fifth-generation fighter program is more for effect than substance, Russia's leading aircraft maker said on Monday.

China carried out its first test-flight of a fifth-generation stealth fighter in January.

"It was more a demonstration than a real program," Mikhail Pogosyan, head of United Aircraft Corporation, said.

The Chinese aircraft industry is developing successfully but it lacks what is required for a breakthrough, he said.

"There will be no breakthroughs here. Great scale and great experience are needed to carry out such programs," Pogosyan said.

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My Comment: I am just curious .... what do the Russians know about China's jet program that they are not telling us, and are they knocking down China's 5G jet in order to promote Russia's very own 5G version. We need a clearer explanation on why they feel this way, and until they do we should regard China's 5G jet as an ominous development for the medium to long term future.

JF-17 Thunder and J-20 Mighty Dragon Fighter Jets

JF-17 Thunder jet and J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter jet
JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet with Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet

HQ Images of Chinese J-20 5th Gen Stealth Fighter Aircraft In Air

JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Xiaolong) is jointly developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAC) and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) for the Pakistan air force. Chinese J-20, fifth generation stealth fighter jet is being developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

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Is China's Stealth Fighter Better Than America's F-22?

F-22s (Boeing)

Chinese Stealth Fighter Could Rival US's Best: Report -- ABC News

The next generation stealth fighter under development by the Chinese military could rival America's best fighters in speed, stealth and lethality, according to a new private report.

Details on the Chinese J-20 fighter are scant as the project has been developed under extreme secrecy, but an analysis conducted by the conservative Washington D.C.-based defense policy think tank The Jamestown Foundation based on the little publicly available information concluded that the fighter "will be a high performance stealth aircraft, arguably capable of competing in most cardinal performance parameters... with the United States F-22A Raptor, and superior in most if not all cardinal performance parameters against the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter."

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My Comment: Since the end of the Second World War, the skies have always been "owned" by the U.S. Air Force .... is that day coming to an end? While I believe that the F-22 is probably a superior aircraft, trends in China should give one pause on what the future will probably hold.

Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft

Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon is a 5th generation stealth fighter jet powered by twin-engine. It is being developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

J-20 Mighty Dragon flew for the first time on 11th of January 2011 and it is likely to be ready for induction in the PLAAF by 2017 to 2018. 

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China's Stealth Jets Are Years Behind U.S. Developments

Gates: Chinese Stealth Jets Will Lag US for Years -- Military.com/AP

WASHINGTON -- The United States will retain a far bigger fleet of top-end fighter planes than China for years to come despite Beijing's early test of a Stealth-style jet that has stoked concern over its military buildup, the U.S. defense chief said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told lawmakers Thursday that China faces a "long road" before deploying its J-20 stealth fighter in any numbers, and predicted a continuing "huge disparity" compared with America's fleet of low-observable aircraft.

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More News On US Concerns About China's J-20 Stealth Fighter

US: China Stealth fighters will lag US for years -- Jerusalem Post/AP
China still years behind US in top end fighter jets -- MSN
Gates: J-20? Don’t Worry About It -- Defense Tech
J-20 a ‘wake-up call,’ former intel chief says -- Air Force Times

My Comment: U.S. arrogance on display. Sec. of Defense Gates looks at China today, but the Chinese look at the world and what it will be 20 years from now. My money is on the Chinese surprising everyone .... including Gates .... much sooner than that.

China Denies That Their Stealth Jet Technology Comes From A Downed U.S. Stealth Fighter

China Experts Dispute Stealth-Theft Claims -- Wall Street Journal

BEIJING—Chinese military experts disputed that China obtained secret U.S. technology to develop its new stealth fighter, saying the country relied on homegrown innovation to produce a plane that has drawn new international attention to its military advances.

Speculation that China obtained U.S. stealth technology has been circulating since aviation experts noted that the J-20 stealth-fighter prototype looked like a larger version of the U.S. F-22 Raptor, currently the world's only fully operational stealth fighter. The twin-engine J-20 made its first public test flight two weeks ago during a visit to China by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

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More News On China's Denial Of Using U.S. Stealth Technology For Their Own Stealth Jet Program

China Denies Stealth Fighter Copied From Wrecked US Plane -- Voice of America
China newspaper rejects J-20 stealth jet claim -- BBC
China denies using US stealth fighter technology -- The Guardian
China paper dismisses report that stealth tech stolen -- AFP
China Rubbishes Alleged Use Of US Technical Know-how In Stealth Fighter -- RTT News
China stealth fighter a 'masterpiece' of homegrown technology -- The Telegraph
Chinese Experts Say Stealth Plane Doesn't Steal U.S. Tech -- PC Magazine

China stealth fighter jet, J-20, based off downed U.S. F-117 Nighthawk technology: military official -- New York Daily News
Does China's Stealth Plane Use U.S. Technology? -- PC Magazine
China stealth fighter 'copied parts from downed US jet' -- BBC
China used downed U.S. fighter to develop first stealth jet -- The Daily Mail
China used downed US F-117 Nighthawk to reverse engineer its first stealth jet -- The Economic Times
Was China’s Stealth Tech Made in America? -- The Danger Room
China's stealth fighter 'based on US technology' -- The Telegraph
Chinese stealth fighter jet may use US technology -- The Guardian
China's new stealth fighter may use US technology -- AP

China's New Stealth Fighter May Be Using U.S. Stealth Technology

China's J-20 stealth fighter pictured at Chengu airbase, Sichaun province, this month. Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters

Chinese Stealth Fighter Jet May Use US Technology -- The Guardian

China may have bought parts of US F-117 Nighthawk shot down over Serbia in 1999, say experts

A Chinese stealth fighter jet that could pose a significant threat to American air superiority may borrow from US technology, it has been claimed.

Balkan military officials and other experts said China may have gleaned knowledge from a US F-117 Nighthawk that was shot down over Serbia in 1999.

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Update #1: China's new stealth fighter may use US technology -- AP
Update #2: China's stealth fighter 'based on US technology' -- The Telegraph

My Comment: Industrial espionage, stealing technology .... the Chinese are masters at doing this. The possibility that they may have stealth technology from the U.S. is not a far fetched idea.

China's Stealth Fighter Makes Its First Flight Test

An aircraft that is reported to be the Chinese stealth fighter, in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Photograph: Kyodo/Reuters

China Confirms Stealth Fighter Jet Tests -- The Guardian

US defence secretary says during visit to Beijing that Chinese president confirmed aeroplane's first test flight.

Hu Jintao confirmed today that China had carried out its first test flight of a stealth fighter jet, the US defence secretary said.

Robert Gates, who is in Beijing for talks to improve military ties, said the Chinese president had told him the jet's trial was not arranged to coincide with his visit.

Hu's confirmation came after accounts and pictures of the J-20 prototype's short flight appeared on Chinese websites. The fighter is believed to have flown for about 15 minutes over an airfield in the south-western city of Chengdu.

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More News On China Confirming It Has A Stealth Fighter Program

Gates: China's Hu confirms stealth jet test-flight -- Reuters
Hu Confirms Stealth Fighter Test -- Wall Street Journal
China conducts first test-flight of stealth plane -- BBC
Stealth test flight overshadows Gates trip -- Financial Times
Video: China’s Stealth Fighter Test Flight -- Wall Street Journal
Stealth Fighter Test Flight With Color Commentary -- Wall Street Journal
Chinese Stealth Fighter Makes First Test Flight -- Wall Street Journal
Chinese stealth fighter makes first test flight -- AP
China stealth fighter flight test -- Press Association
J-20 stealth fighter jet is for real, China tells Secretary of Defense Gates -- New York Daily News
Chinese websites claim fifth-generation fighter has made maiden flight -- RIA Nvosti

Apparently China's Stealth Plane Is Not So "Stealthy"

Images that appear to show Beijing's prototype stealth fighter jet during a 'taxi test' at a facility in western China.

China Stealth Plane Still 'Years Away', Says Pentagon -- BBC

The US is downplaying pictures which appear to show a working prototype of a Chinese stealth aircraft, invisible to radar.

The images - first published on websites - show what looks like a stealth fighter on a taxi run.

Beijing has not commented on whether the pictures - published ahead of US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' visit later this week - are genuine.

The Pentagon says China is still years away from deploying a stealth aircraft.

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More News On China's Stealth Fighter

Navy Intel Chief Yawns at China’s New Jet, Missile -- The Danger Room
US downplays concern over Chinese stealth fighter -- AFP
China Newspaper Refers to New Jet -- Wall Street Journal
China media report mystery stealth fighter photos -- AP
China completes stealth fighter prototype -- AFP
Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter In Taxi Tests -- Aviation Week
China 'leaks' sneak peek of first stealth aircraft going for a test run -- The Daily Mail
Chinese jet fighter 'sighting' raises fears over region's military power balance -- The Guardian
J-20 stealth fighter: China's neighbours watching closely -- The Telegraph
China's Ballistic-Missile, Stealth-Fighter Advances Draw Attention of U.S. -- Bloomberg
J-20 stealth fighter: how the world's largest military force is modernising -- The Telegraph
China’s Push to Modernize Military Is Bearing Fruit -- New York Times
Is China closer than thought to matching U.S. fighter jet prowess? -- CNN
A Chinese Stealth Challenge? -- Wall Street Journal

Another Look At China's Stealth Fighter

A Chinese Stealth Challenge? -- Wall Street Journal

BEIJING—The first clear pictures of what appears to be a Chinese stealth fighter prototype have been published online, highlighting China's military buildup just days before U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates heads to Bejiing to try to repair defense ties.

The photographs, published on several unofficial Chinese and foreign defense-related websites, appear to show a J-20 prototype making a high-speed taxi test—usually one of the last steps before an aircraft makes its first flight—according to experts on aviation and China's military.

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My Comment: Defense Tech provides an interesting analysis perspective on this fighter.

China's First Stealth Plane Emerges From Hiding

China's J-20 Stealth Plane, in Profile

China's First Stealth Plane Emerges From Hiding Ahead of Schedule -- Popular Science

The Defense Ministry of the People’s Republic of China would like to wish you a happy new year – and welcome you into a new era. China’s first known stealth aircraft (maybe) appeared across the Web over the past week or so in a series of pictures depicting what appear to be high-speed taxi tests at Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute’s airfield. Reportedly known as the J-20, the emergence of the alleged long-range single-seater suggests China is ahead of schedule in its plans for a revamped air force and could have a stealth plane in the sky by 2017, three years earlier than expected.

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