Chinese J-20 Aircraft
Posted on 03/19/2022 9:19:33 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Advanced fighter jets from the United States and China came face to face recently, according to the commander of the United States’ air presence in the Indo-Pacific.
“We recently had, I wouldn’t call it an engagement, but we got relatively close to the J-20s with our F-35s in the East China Sea, and were relatively impressed with the command and control that was associated with the J-20s,” said Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, Commander of the Pacific Air Forces during a March 14 interview with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
The F-35 and J-20 are the most advanced fighters in the American and Chinese arsenals respectively. The incident marks one of the first publicly disclosed direct encounters between the two, and Wilsbach noted that the Chinese military was proving capable with the technology.
“What we’re noticing is they are flying it pretty well,” Wilsbach said of the Chinese pilot’s performance during the encounter. He did not provide exact details about the time of the encounter.
Wilsbach also added that there were other Chinese aircraft in the region which also demonstrated a good amount of skill in command and control.
Relatively little is known of the J-20, popularly referred to as the “Mighty Dragon.” It entered service in 2017 and is a stealth fighter, like the F-35, but it is unclear whether the Chinese military will seek to use the aircraft as an all-purpose, multi-mission aircraft, or if it will specialize in one particular domain such as air superiority.
“It’s a bit early to tell exactly what they want to do with the J-20,” Wilsbach said. “All we’ve really seen it do is air superiority.”
“We’re seeing relatively professional flying,” he added. “It’s still too early to tell exactly what they intend to do with it.”
The F-35 fulfills all types of roles, but the United States also uses other aircraft for more specific types of missions. Wilsbach noted that the F-22, for example, was specifically tailored for air superiority missions, but also had the capability to engage in limited air-to-ground attacks.
The encounter comes amid a low point in Sino-American relations. U.S. officials have accused the Chinese communist regime of considering providing military support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well preparing for an invasion of Taiwan in the coming years.
To that end, Wilsbach noted that understanding the Chinese military’s aerial capabilities was vital to ensuring adequate preparedness among the U.S. and allied forces.
He said that large segments of the Chinese military’s capability to engage in long-range fires were dependent upon its air power, and particularly its ability to defend early warning aircraft such as the KJ-500.
As such, the United States’ ability to meet with and effectively engage Chinese aircraft in the sky would be a deciding factor in any future conflict.
“Being able to interrupt that kill chain is something that interests me greatly,” Wilsbach said.
Vietnam was the last time fighters of equal age and capabilities were pittied against each other. Migs vs F4s/F8s the first Gulf war was a turkey shoot for the F15s and 16s
Chinese J-20 Aircraft
IMO, In theory the J-20 is faster, more maneuverable than a F-35.
The F-35 has got superior electronics and the big advantage .. the J-20 is Made in China.
JMO
Twin engine J-20 looks like China’s attempt to clone F-22.
Chinese military was proving capable with the technology.
What they didn’t steal they bought money whores are ever where cheap and easy.
Yes, it came to me after my second viewing.
Four years ago i bought mom a brand new Maytag washer for mothers day.
“Made in America” is a main reason i bought it.
Last month the $120 just to show up repair guy told her it’s junk, gear box transmission thing trashed.
All it takes is one little teensie piece of chinese made garbage part buried somewhere to destroy the whole machine.
Washer like that used to last over 20 years
Maytag repairman my butt..
pretty sure maytag is now whirlpool now
J-20’s flying around with THOUSANDS of those shit CHINESE made parts inside during combat scenarios?
yea.....good luck with that
F-22 will be there first anyways..
Exactly!
I suspect the General was using the word “relatively” in a diplomatic fashion. Maybe even ironically.
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