Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One: China’s Copycat Jet Raises Questions About F-35
Did the Chinese theft of data on the US fighter jet and other weapons shrink the Pentagon's technical superiority?
New technical specs about China’s new J-31 fighter, a plane designed to rival the American-made F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, popped up on a Chinese blog last week. So who has the advantage — the U.S. or China?
China’s twin-engine design bears a striking resemblance to the single-jet F-35. Still, the Joint Strike Fighter is expected to fly slightly farther and carry a heavier load of weapons, according to the data, which was first reported by Jane’s.
Military experts say that while the J-31 looks like, and may even fly like, the F-35, it’s what’s under the hood and embedded in the skin that really matters. The U.S. has the better computer software, unique sensors and other hardware, stealth coating, and engines technology—all critical attributes that make fifth-generation aircraft different than the military jets of last century.
WNU Editor: America has always had an advantage in avionics and the engines that power their aircraft. I expect this advantage to continue .... even though the Chinese with their army of hackers are getting very good at stealing the tech that gives American jet fighters their edge.
1 comment:
it looks more like an F-22. I doubt the Chinese would copy the F-35, it effectively counters itself ;p
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