Posted on 12/29/2010 9:37:47 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Early Eclipse: F-35 JSF Prospects in the Age of Chinese Stealth
Much to the chagrin of Lockheed-Martin's JSF team, it appears there really is a new Chinese stealth fighter. And by the looks of it, the Chinese J-20 is a heavyweight contender built to challenge the F-22 Raptor. For the first time since the end of the Cold War, US air dominance seems in question. But where does this leave the F-35 JSF?
JSF is the "one-size-fits-all fighter", good for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as all interested foreign customers. In an attempt to meet all roles and needs, within an affordable budget, the JSF has necessarily compromised capability in some areas, particularly air-to-air combat. The US Congress and International Customers were told the JSF possessed sufficient air-to-air capability, with Lockheed-Martin claiming a "close and long-range air-to-air capability second only to that of the F-22 Raptor." However, with the sound of the twin-engined Chinese J-20 roaring down the flightline at Chengdu, it appears Lockheed-Martin's claim may have been a bit short-lived.
Many international customers currently invested in the JSF would have preferred purchase of the air-to-air optimized F-22 Raptor, but the US has banned Raptor exports. International buyers were told JSF was the best air-to-air fighter their money could buy. Now facing a likely overmatch against the Chinese J-20, JSF shareholders such as Australia and potential Asian buyers such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and of course Taiwan must now be quite soured on the US refusal to sell the F-22.
It seems certain the emergence of the J-20 into the Asian military equation will precipitate a cascade of new fighter procurement in the region. Beyond Australia which has already financially committed to the JSF, the F-35 will most likely not be among the new types sought.
Money Shot: New Chinese J-20 Stealth Fighter poses for eager onlookers at Chengdu Test Facility
What the heck is up with those flaps?
Are they trying to create extreme vectoring?
From what I see, it will shear off almost immediately.
How is this possible? china copies russian designs.
Chinese Stealth jet uses Silkspan Wings
Sounds like the Chinese are trying to encourage Raptor exports.
I’m sure they’d love to get their hands on one.
>>Sounds like the Chinese are trying to encourage Raptor exports.
Im sure theyd love to get their hands on one.<<
Despite their suppression, eBay is available in China.
Build a better aircraft, but can you produce a better pilot?
There is no such thing as one size fits all.
There is a reason the Air Force planes can roll the Navy’s.
Naval planes need more sh*t on their landing gear to be able to sustain the impact of carrier landings. That equals weight.
One size fits all sounds like a marketing angle. Don’t buy it!
Reminds me a little bit of the 1980’s era concept model of a MiG-37 fictional Soviet Stealth Bomber/Fighter that Testors put out. It was an analogue to the F-117.
Clintoons Chinagate contacts must've come in handy..
That thing doesn’t even look like it could get off the ground. If it could, I bet it’d have the turn radius of a refrigerator. Lockheed worried? On the contrary, they’ll probably use this as an example of the Chinese “threat” to sell more Raptors and Lightnings.
http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/TESTORS%20F-19%20STEALTH%20PAGE.htm
A lot of U.S. pilots would love to get their hands on one. Not likely with Obami the Commie in charge
Dear Americans,
Thank so much you for to buy Chinese toys. We hope Chrismas hariday was for you happy. We need J-20 for to fly soon. Prease buy more our nice toys.
Rotsa ruck in the new year!
The PLAAF
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That picture was taken two days after the warranty expired...
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