A J-31 stealth fighter of Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force © Alex Lee / Reuters
The U.S. military depends on its edge over other air forces. China could be on the verge of wearing that edge away.
China is one step closer to selling stealth jets to militaries around world, now that the latest copy of China’s newest stealth fighter has reportedly flown for the first time. The debut of FC-31 number two brings China closer to being an exporter of radar-evading warplanes—and draws the United States closer to, perhaps some day, facing Chinese-made stealth fighters in combat.
That could negate one of America's main advantages in aerial combat—its lopsided technological superiority over most of the foreign air arms it faces in wartime.
Chinese military websites began circulating grainy videos and images of the second FC-31 in flight apparently over the city of Shenyang in northeastern China on Dec. 23.
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Update: China's Air Force is Growing in Size and Technological Edge (Kris Osborn, Scout Warrior).
Previous Post: China Tests Its Latest J-31 Stealth Jet Fighter (December 26, 2016)
WNU Editor: China still lags behind in certain technologies .... China still needs to improve jet engine technology to make FC31 competitive with US F35 (Next Big Future).
In stealth fighter there is what we can see and what we cannot. The unknown could make a big difference.
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