Lots of parts supplied—and most likely every schematic/blueprint stolen—by the ChiComs.
“Lots of parts supplied... by the ChiComs”
Okay, we heard about the turbomachine magnets using Chinese-sourced alloy and the circuit boards made in the U.K. by a well-known and established company owned by Chinese interests. The parts worked, no question about that.
Please supply a list of “lots” of others.
“and most likely every schematic/blueprint stolen”
The Chinese J-20 stealth fighter appears operational clearly without utilizing stolen F-35 blueprints. The design is very different. So unless they’re planning on coming out with an F-35 clone 15 years from now the usefulness of those would appear limited.
“Lots of parts supplied—and most likely every schematic/blueprint stolen—by the ChiComs.”
They don’t have to steal them, since they’re now designing them. At least that’s what my cousin tells me who works in the industry (for Big Defense). At least in his large design facility, over half of the people are Asian, with MANY from China. Sure they’re NOW citizens...but many weren’t born here, and even the ones who were born here see themselves as citizens of China (their parents’ home), first.
But, in the end, Americans simply don’t bother with advanced engineering anymore (some still get BS degrees, but virtually every student for MS and PhD is foreign, and virtually all from China), so what choice does Big Defense have?