manqiangrexue
Brigadier
It came out when the first 2 J-20 were delivered. I can't recall the dates but a few months back. It doesn't mean that AWACs cannot detect stealth fighters in a definite term because:Very nice, how long ago was this rumor reported?
Also if AWAC cannot detect stealth fighters, that means future of air to air combat would be like WW2 battles, that stealth fighters from opposing sides will only see each other at within visual range and possible dog fight.
Unless China using their J-20 to trying to come up with ways to detect stealth fighters?
1. AWACs are constantly evolving; China has already miniaturized the abilities of the KJ-2000 onto the KJ-500, which indicates to me that the next large AWAC to debut (likely on a Y-20 frame) will have much greater capabilities, likely incorporating at least some of the ground-based anti-stealth radar technologies that Equation mentioned and
2. It means that without special tactics, just flying forth on traditional doctrine, the current generation Chinese AWACs likely cannot deal with stealth fighters. However, you don't become a 3-point sharp-shooter the first time you play basketball, do you? They could very possibly develop tactics with experience which I'm sure they're working hard on.
3. Did the AWAC have no idea what was happening and get shot down or did it nearly turn the tables on the J-20 but fail this time? The rumor does not get that detailed.
But your conclusion is something I agree with. When 2 stealth fighters engage each other, even if they are tipped off to the rough location of their opponent, they could easily both fail to produce weapon-qualities tracks and need to get WVR to score a kill.
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