PLA Air Force news, pics and videos
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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This is a good article on the improvement to PLAAF training. According to Shilao/Yankee, AF started a major reform about 10 years ago that has effected every part of their training. The changes seem to have really picked up after 2016. More than ever, they stress realistic training. I don't know if they've gained some of that from their training with PAF, but it would be good if they did.
Especially with respect to ground attack training, I hear they go through extensive training on delivery of PGMs, even though we don't get any photos of that.
Especially with respect to ground attack training, I hear they go through extensive training on delivery of PGMs, even though we don't get any photos of that.
The PLAAF Academy in Shijiazhuan has had the first batch of fighter pilots graduating from a new training model. In this model, trainees can complete the courses in 3 years and certify for flying the 3rd-gen fighters in PLAAF.
In the old model, they would have taken 4 to 6 years to become fighter pilots. [ IIUC, in the old model, the trainees would have flown on trainers in the Academy and only to learn to fly the 3rd-gen fighters in the front line units. ]
These young men, only 23 years old in average, are the youngest PLAAF fighter pilots. They will be joining the units in the front lines soon.
In the old model, they would have taken 4 to 6 years to become fighter pilots. [ IIUC, in the old model, the trainees would have flown on trainers in the Academy and only to learn to fly the 3rd-gen fighters in the front line units. ]
These young men, only 23 years old in average, are the youngest PLAAF fighter pilots. They will be joining the units in the front lines soon.
Closer and closer to the real numbers, mainly J-20 and J-16 are undercounted.
by78
General
The article is saying the opposite what you have posted. The problem with the PLAAF is the lack of real combat experience. And the pilots are stimulated to perform via competitions like the Golden Helmets. Although it has help to improve the skills of the pilots but the problem is that these competitions more and more resemble sporting events than combat training. Like pilots trying to run out the clock to gain points.
I believe that something like the Golden Helmet competition is fostering the wrong kind of skills. The Golden Helmet competition is about one on one dogfights. That is a archaic form of aerial combat that belongs in the era of WWII or Korea. Today aerial combat is about different units and types of planes working together as a single whole. While the Golden Helmet competition is about individual glory. The exact opposite of what you want to encourage.
I feel like J-11 is also undercounted? Around 50 su-27sk, 105 J-11A and at least 200+ J-11B/BS, the total number should be around 400 imo
Until this year, the USAF is using Mirage F1, A-4K and L-159E to simulate Red Air. What sort of skill does training against BVR-incapable subsonic trainers foster?
The figure should be like this?
J-20: 150-200
J-10: 600+
J-11: 400+
J-16: 200+
Su-27: 40-50
Su-30: 76
Su-35: 24
Total should be around 1520+ now?
Personally, I was a little disappointed at CASI earlier this year when they put J-20 number at 53 to 74 when I think it was fair obvious PLAAF had at least 90+ delivered J-20s by the end of 2021.