J-20 5th Generation Fighter VII

Newly released old image from a good angle.

Anyone want a laugh??

Here's quite a strange link published by the USAF university:


... with a most "interesting" analogy and strange conclusion:

China has demonstrated an apparent capability to develop stealth fighters. While Chinese aviation technology should not be underestimated, this essay strikes a cautionary note. Using historical examples from Argentina, Egypt, and India, the author contends that Chinese stealth fighters are being unveiled in part to highlight China’s arrival as a global power; however, future Chinese jet fighter development will be hindered by technical challenges such as the development of indigenous engines—not to mention advanced weapons and sensors.

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Well ... what relevance do have some historical examples from Argentina, Egypt, and India with China's ability to build stealth fighters??And I'm indeed shocked since this is really written by someone working for the USAF University!? ...

It reminds me to a tweet I saw some weeks ago from the US Naval institute.



Pure pity that they fell to such a low level.

I don't believe any serious decision making loop will be underestimating China so these works are usually aimed squarely at the public. It would be nice however if US political and military elites underestimate China and keep their heads in the sand. Despite this being written by an individual for/from USAF university? I don't think it represents an accurate indication of how they truly perceive and understand Chinese military aviation.

ougoah said:

I don't believe any serious decision making loop will be underestimating China so these works are usually aimed squarely at the public. It would be nice however if US political and military elites underestimate China and keep their heads in the sand. Despite this being written by an individual for/from USAF university? I don't think it represents an accurate indication of how they truly perceive and understand Chinese military aviation.

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Agreed, but to let this being published under the title of the USAF University is a shame.

Deino said:

Agreed, but to let this being published under the title of the USAF University is a shame.

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I think if we ignore the attempt to draw parallels with Argentina, Egypt, and India (whatever those may be), it is just trying to make the point that there are certainly obvious areas where China may be considerably far behind the US. It just does this with some self-assured certainty. Or maybe they have access to information we don't. But yeah you're right about it. Nobody has a crystal ball and can say future fighter developments will be hindered by engines, advanced weapons, and sensors. Then again maybe they know more than we do.

Deino said:

Agreed, but to let this being published under the title of the USAF University is a shame.

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Note credentials of author on the matter, which are zero.

I get where he's coming from, each of those countries at one time had an ambition to build a domestic cutting-edge fighter aircraft (Argentina: Pulqui II; Egypt: HA-300; India: Marut/Tejas) but invariably failed to make a success of it. All these comparisons are catastrophically flawed however in that China today has a much better industrial base in general and an established indigenous fighter production capability in particular (J-10) than any of those examples did when they made the attempt.

He also ignores the trivial fact that the J-20 is already in production and operational, unlike every single one of its supposed analogues.

Correction: the Marut did enter service and even saw combat, but it can't be classed as a huge success.

A pretty reporter with J-20 and its pilot.

^Could be a scene out of a Chinese Top Gun