Second Chinese stealth fighter makes test flight

[MtnGoat]

Second Chinese stealth fighter makes test flight


Associated Press in Beijing

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 1 November 2012 08.34 EDT

J-31 aircraft photographed near Shenyang appears to be a smaller version of the J-20 prototype tested last year

China has test-flown a second model of a prototype stealth fighter, aviation experts said. Photos posted online on Thursday showed the aircraft airborne with its landing gear down near the north-eastern city of Shenyang.

Two Chinese-made J-11 fighters accompanied it on the flight, which Chinese military enthusiast websites said took place on Wednesday and lasted about 10 minutes.

Ross Babbage, of Australia's Kokoda Foundation, and Greg Waldron, of Flightglobal magazine in Singapore, said the plane, known as the J-31, appeared to be a smaller version of the J-20 prototype that was tested last year in Chengdu.

Both planes feature stealth design features but their true capabilities in terms of sensors, radar-absorbing coatings and other factors remain unknown. It is not known when, or if, either plane will go into production.

"I think it's a fairly straightforward evolution to develop advanced fighters at this time, but you can't read too much into it in terms of capabilities," Waldron said. He said the smaller and nimbler J-31 appeared intended for a fighter-interceptor role similar to the US Joint Strike Fighter, and the heavier J-20 could target airfields, warships and other ground targets.

The technical barriers and development costs for such aircraft are enormous and the US has struggled for years to deliver on their potential. Babbage said another challenge for China was developing engines reliable and capable enough for such cutting-edge aircraft.

[MtnGoat]

I would not worry about the Chinese. They have one aircraft carrier, an old Russian carrier that was retro-fitted. These so called stealth fighters with Russian turbines are cheap knockoff's. Unless they can get their army to swim across the Pacific I would not worry. LOL

I'm not one to say that they really are not a threat. But with a current administration that borrows.. Ummm what around a billion a day from China? Does NEED an new aircraft? Chinese will continue to prop the U.S. up if current Admin is re-elected!! This current administration is like a son or daughter who is hooked on CRACK. They need more and more money too keep their habit. Rich Daddy please help me=China. 70 million Chinese starved out of existence under Mao, now they have issue inside going on now. But our trade issues with them and their ablility to copy everything on the open market make this - a new Stealth Fighter. I guess

Well at least it only took them, what 20+ years to make something close to a Stealth Fighter??!!

Well so much for those nut jobs and the the story of a many years ago where one of the stealth fighter jets the US had provided to Israel had been sold to China. LOL Jesse were are you...LMAO

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

I would not worry about the Chinese. They have one aircraft carrier, an old Russian carrier that was retro-fitted. These so called stealth fighters with Russian turbines are cheap knockoff's. Unless they can get their army to swim across the Pacific I would not worry. LOL

IMO you are severely underestimating the Chinese! "Know your enemy" (Sun Tsu) I think the Chinese can put together a Navy capable of projecting more than just regional power faster than any of us think. They already eclipse Japan in Indochina and the latest fracas over the disputed islands is only going to put an exclamation point at the end of that sentence. This has the Aussies attention!

While we are mired in our own economic mess and the conflicts in the Middle East, China is focusing on the new economic frontier - Africa. They will need to project power in that continent to secure their economic interests. God help us if they form an axis of power with a nuclear Iran to accomplish that end.

We underestimated the Japanese in the early part of the last century and look where that got us. Let's not make that mistake again and make sure that someone on watch is awake and paying attention.

As for me, I see storm clouds growing on the horizon.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

IMO you are severely underestimating the Chinese!

Lotta disinformation out there from all sides - typical when there's "capital" to be made of something like this.

I remember when China tangled with Vietnam - in a similar vein, at least their former hammer and sickle brethren spent nearly a decade in A'stan before they were driven out.

Regional land power vs the ability and wherewithal to project trans-regionally are two very different animals - and there are BIG troubles in BIG China w/o adding the external issues they would face with such a move.

Free Tibet!

Richard

[Trapper John]

Originally Posted by Richard

[COLOR="Lime"]Regional land power vs the ability and wherewithal to project trans-regionally are two very different animals - and there are BIG troubles in BIG China w/o adding the external issues they would face with such a move.

Good point, Richard and speaks to what I think is China's weakness. Whereas their centralized government lends itself well to making executive decisions, applying necessary resources, and executing with speed; this form of government also lends itself to corruption from within and potentially foments revolution from outside by the disenfranchised. We have already seen both in China's recent history. IMO this is China's fatal flaw.

Still, I am not one to just dismiss their influence in a fluid geopolitical environment. So, what do you see as the most credible potential threat on the horizon? China? China/Iran? Russia/Iran? Other?

Could be an interesting discussion

[twistedsquid]

In my view the Chinese threat is not a military but a financial one. Over the last decade they have aggressively aquired silver and American debt.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Trapper John

So, what do you see as the most credible potential threat on the horizon?

Could be an interesting discussion

Democrats

[Gold Eagle]

Walmart is helping them.