Chinese Air Force to Be Able to “Go Out” in Addition to Homeland Defense

Posted: November 7, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 15 Comments

Global Times report “J-20 Chief Designer Yang Wei: We Know all what our vast military fans are expecting” today quotes J-20 Chief Designer Yang Wei’s words at a news conference on the eve of the Fourteenth Chinese Air Show to be opened on November 8. At the news conference Yang Wei said that in the past, the strategy of Chinese air force is the development of the ability of homeland defense, but now the integrated space and air capabilities for both attack and defense. “What we call a strategic air force must be able to ‘go out’ in addition to defend our homeland. That shall be the direction of our future development.”

The ability to “go out” was mentioned for the first time as far as I know. However, that is certainly a proper strategy of defense as attack is the best defense.

Comment by Chan Kai Yee on Global Times’ report, full text of which in Chinese can be viewed at https://mil.huanqiu.com/article/4AN73n0pd3H.

After Stealth J-20, China’s Next Fighter-Jet Could Be A Super F-35

Posted: September 4, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 3 Comments

Published 23 hours ago on September 3, 2020By EurAsian Times Desk

In its endeavours of achieving the “world-class military” status, China’s military and its defence industry may have taken a significant step in the right direction with the development of its first sixth-generation fighter jet, which experts claim to be a superior version of the US F-35s.

According to a technical paper published by Yang Wei, the chief designer of the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter, the next-generation fighter jet is being planned to trump all of the features that are currently possessed by a fifth-generation fighter.

As stated in his paper, published in Global Times, a daily newspaper under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Yang said –

“A revolutionary, cognition-subverting next-generation fighter jet, characterized by long-range, high capabilities in penetration, awareness, firepower and fast decision-making, is about to come into being amid great power competition.”

The stealth technology employed by the US F-35s makes it one of the most sought-after fighter jets in the world. The fighters use advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, and advanced sustainment. However, due to the unforeseen nature of advanced warfare, they may still fall short of battling out to be the best aircraft.

Yang, who is also an aircraft designer at Aviation Industry Corporation of China, wrote that research is underway in regard to ‘changes in the types of warfare’, ‘amid great power competition’.

“Amid great power competition and the commissioning of more and more fourth-generation fighter jets (or fifth generation under US classification, which includes China’s J-20, US’ F-22 and F-35), there have been extensive discussions on the changes in types of warfare, and the development of post-fourth generation fighter jets.”

While different nations across the world are involved in the development of sixth-generation fighter jets and basic configurations of which can differ due to the technological resources and experience at their hands, some features could yet remain similar for all.

Experts believe that one of the most salient features of a six-gen jet would be its ability to see out missions with or without human assistance, with unmanned operability becoming an absolute prerequisite for any next-generation fighter, which could be further boosted if artificial intelligence (A.I) surpasses all hurdles in its way.

Moreover, with information becoming a crucial factor in modern combat, there is a need for a modern fighter to garner more information using AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars and data chains while limiting the enemy’s processing of information with the help of stealth technology and electronic countermeasures. However, this can only be possible if a modern pilot has the ability to analyse and operate accordingly.

And according to Yang, the emergence of A.I will be aiding the pilots in processing the information and will enable them to become objective-oriented.

“Each step in the original observe-orient-decide-act (OODA) loop in the air combat decision-making process will feature artificial intelligence’s assistance. Intelligence becoming the deciding factor” said Yang

According to experts, a sixth-generation fighter will aim to surpass the functionalities of the already existing-fleets of fifth-generation aircraft across the globe and could be equipped with laser weapons, deriving their energy from the plane’s engines or energy storage system onboard.

They would also be suited better to carry out combat missions while travelling longer distances than any current fifth-generation fighter. While the most common feature of the jets would be stealth-technology, which assists them to be untraceable on the radar, it is the most spoken about hallmark of a current fifth-generation plane.

Echoing the same line of thought, Yang said,

“The future fighter jet will generally require a longer combat range, longer endurance, stronger stealth capability, a larger load of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, and the functionality to provide its pilot with easy-to-understand battlefield situation images and predictions. In an integrated system, the aircraft should be able to form a network, draw real-time integrated situational images, create multiple attack routes, and transmit target information across mission areas in real-time.”

Other features of a sixth-generation aircraft would include the presence of radio-photonic radars, their ability to travel at hypersonic speeds and fly into the near-Earth space. They could also be equipped with subsonic drones, providing a pilot with the freedom to send the unmanned vehicles into dangerous areas, where a manned-aircraft wouldn’t ideally be able to travel.

Currently, work is underway on the United Kingdom’s Tempest and United States’ F-X fighters, both sixth-generation fighter jets. However, none of the nations have revealed concrete information on their respective planes.

According to reports, China which currently holds its first operation fourth-generation stealth fighter, J-20 on a high pedestal, is looking to develop the next-generation fighter jet by 2035 or earlier.

Penned By: Mansij Asthana

Source: EurAsian Times “After Stealth J-20, China’s Next Fighter-Jet Could Be A Super F-35”

Note: This is EurAsian Times’ article I post here for readers’ information. It does not mean that I agree or disagree with the article’s views.

China’s J-20 carrier-based jet fighter influenced by US – not Soviet – thinking, designer says

Posted: August 3, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 4 Comments

  • As the race to find the best platform for a modified fighter hots up, designer wins critics’ support by selling the American angle

  • PLA Navy ‘should choose a reliable platform that has a long combat range and potential for development … and the best choice is the J-20,’ expert says

Minnie Chan

Published: 10:00pm, 2 Aug, 2020

The chief designer of the J-20 said the plane was a better match for US fighters.

The chief designer of the J-20 said the plane was a better match for US fighters. Photo: Xinhua

As tensions between Beijing and Washington continue to rise, China’s military aircraft designers are racing to develop a next-generation fighter jet for use on the nation’s aircraft carriers capable of competing with their American rivals.

The two contenders are Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI), which is working on a modified version of its J-20, and Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute, which is adapting its FC-31.

While both aircraft have been in development for many years, CADI’s chief designer, Yang Wei, said recently the J-20 was a better match for US fighters.

The aircraft was inspired by American theories on air combat and jet development, he said in a recent article published in the Chinese journal Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica.

video

Military observers said that by openly stating he had learned from American ideas, Yang was trying to promote the modified J-20 as a superior option to the adapted FC-31, which is based on much older, Soviet, designs.

The designer also said in the article that the US military had been able to develop a carrier-based jet fighter and put it into mass production in less than six years.

“If the [Chinese] leadership decides to use the FC-31 as the platform for the new carrier-based fighter, it would be at least 10 years before it was ready for full deployment, by which time the Americans would be even further ahead,” said a person with links to the military, who asked not to be named.

Yang said in the article, which was widely shared on military news websites, it was essential that the next-generation fighter had a long combat range, enhanced stealth capabilities and a bigger weapon load.

Video

Beijing-based military expert Zhou Chenming said Yang wanted to prove the J-20 was not only a fifth-generation fighter, but could be a platform for “advanced induction reaction devices and other new technologies” capable of targeting the shortcomings of its American rival, the F-22 Raptor.

Fifth-generation fighters feature stealth technology, supersonic cruising speeds, super manoeuvrability and highly integrated avionics.

Zhou said that in the past, China’s aircraft designers had been heavily influenced by Russian thinking and because of that focused almost exclusively on the fighting capabilities of their jets. But Yang, he said, stressed the need to consider other factors as well.

“Because of the Russian influence, Chinese designers ignored things like avionics systems and weapons,” Zhou said. “Russia’s MiG-29, for instance, had no chance of competing with its American counterpart, the all-weather multirole F-16.”

China’s FC-31 is up to 12 tonnes lighter than the J-20. Photo: Weibo

One possible disadvantage of the J-20 as a carrier-based fighter is that it is much heavier than the FC-31. China’s newest aircraft carriers will be fitted with an electromagnetic catapult launch system, which although reducing take-off times comes with a weight restriction.

With a maximum weight of 25 tonnes, the FC-31 is up to 12 tonnes lighter than the J-20 and about three metres (10 feet) shorter.

The FC-31 was developed to match the United States’ F-35, which was built by Lockheed Martin and the platform for the carrier-based F-35B and F-35C.

Despite that comparison, Macau-based military expert Antony Wong Tong said the FC-31 was no match for the F-35 in terms of manoeuvrability or firepower.

“Based on China’s current technology and production capacity, the PLA Navy should choose a reliable platform that has a long combat range and potential for development. And the best choice for that is the J-20,” he said.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: J-20 carrier-based fighter ‘influenced by US ideas’

Source: SCMP “China’s J-20 carrier-based jet fighter influenced by US – not Soviet – thinking, designer says”

Note: This is SCMP’s article I post here for readers’ information. It does not mean that I agree or disagree with the article’s views.

Next gen fighter jet forthcoming in great power competition: J-20 chief designer

Posted: July 27, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

By Liu Xuanzun Source: Global Times Published: 2020/7/27 19:33:07

A J-20 fighter performs at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 11, 2018. The air show closed on Sunday. (Xinhua)

A revolutionary, cognition-subverting next generation fighter jet, characterized by long-range, high capabilities in penetration, awareness, firepower and fast decision-making, is about to come into being amid great power competition, according to a recent paper by the chief designer of China’s J-20 stealth fighter jet.

Artificial intelligence is a key field to help pilots process vast information and make decisions in complicated battlefield environments, it said.

Amid great power competition and the commissioning of more and more fourth generation fighter jets (or fifth generation under US classification, which includes China’s J-20, US’ F-22 and F-35), there have been extensive discussions on the changes in types of warfare, and the development of post-fourth generation fighter jets, said Yang Wei of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), in a paper published in Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, a Chinese monthly journal on aeronautics, last month.

Yang is the chief designer of China’s first fourth generation fighter jet, the J-20.

In the paper, Yang said that in older generations of fighter jets, maneuverability used to be the deciding factor, but this concept is becoming outdated with the development of advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles with their beyond-visual-range attack capabilities.

Information has now become the deciding factor, as modern fighter jets focus on gaining more information with the help of AESA radars and data chains, while also reducing opponents’ ability to gain information, including using stealth technology and electronic countermeasures.

When aircraft can get more information with these advanced devices, pilots must have extensive knowledge, sharp analysis and sound decision-making to put them to use.

Yang said artificial intelligence will help pilots process the information, and help them become mission objective-oriented.

Each step in the original observe-orient-decide-act (OODA) loop in the air combat decision-making process will feature artificial intelligence’s assistance, the paper said. “Intelligence becoming the deciding factor” will be the essence of what Yang calls an OODA 3.0.

Citing foreign projects, Yang said that a future fighter jet will generally require a longer combat range, longer endurance, stronger stealth capability, a larger load of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, and the functionality to provide its pilot with easy-to-understand battlefield situation images and predictions. In an integrated system, the aircraft should be able to form a network, draw real-time integrated situational images, create multiple attack routes, and transmit target information across mission areas in real time.

Yang’s vision could indicate what China’s future fighter jet might be like, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Monday under the condition of anonymity.

Usually the Chinese military simultaneously equips a current generation of weapons, develops a next generation, and conducts pre-study on a further generation at the same time. So as J-20s are being commissioned into the Chinese Air Force, the next generation fighter jet must have already started development, the expert said.

China is eyeing to develop a next generation fighter jet by 2035 or earlier, which could feature laser, adaptive engines and the ability to command drones, reports in early 2019 quoted Wang Haifeng, another senior designer at AVIC who participated in the development of the J-20 and J-10 fighter jets, as saying.

Source: Global Times “Next gen fighter jet forthcoming in great power competition: J-20 chief designer”

Note: This is Global Times’ article I post here for readers’ information. It does not mean that I agree or disagree with the article’s views.

J-20 Agile, Suited for Aggressive Air Combat Maneuvering: Expert

Posted: April 16, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 6 Comments

Rick Joe’s article “Armchair Generals Conclude China’s Latest J-20 Fighter Isn’t Maneuverable. Wind Tunnel Experiment Proves Them Wrong” published at checkpointasia.net on April 14 makes clear that analysts are wrong in believing that J-20 is not agile enough to be an air superiority fighter jet. The website claims that the source of the article is The Diplomat.

It cites Chinese expert Dr. Song Wencong’s essay “Aerodynamic configuration study of a small aspect ratio, high lift aircraft” to prove that the aerodynamic configuration of J-20 enables J-20 to be agile. The essay if very professional not fit for laymen to read.

However, Rick Joe’s conclusion is based not only on Song’s essay but also on AVIC’s J-20 brochure and interviews with J-20 pilots.

He says in conclusion, “The overall body of evidence strongly suggests J-20 is intended to be a general air superiority aircraft capable of competitive ACM (air combat maneuvering) as demonstrated by Song’s paper, AVIC’s J-20 brochure, as well as pilot testimonies over the last few years. Furthermore, from a doctrine perspective the idea that the PLAAF would aim for a dedicated interceptor or striker aircraft rather than an air superiority fighter is not a compelling one, as a dedicated interceptor/striker would be unable to compete against large numbers of opposing F-35 and F-22 fighters operating in the region.”

J-20 is designed to compete with F-35 and F-22!

Tension in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China may lead to a war between the two nations instigated by US Secretary of State Pompeo’s promise to fight for the Philippines when Philippine military has been attacked by China. Who attacks first is always a question difficult to answer in history. It seems Pompeo wants the Philippines to attack China first to start a war between the US and China.

As USS Wasp carrying 20 F-35s on board is now present in the South China Sea. What Pompeo wants is certainly an air combat between the US and China that will soon end like that between India and Pakistan. Perhaps Pompeo is interested to find whether F-35s from USS Wasp are better than J-20s in the air combat instigated by him. I must have used the word “prove” instead of “find”. Pompeo must believe that F-35 is superior to J-20. Otherwise, he would not have been so bellicose. Pompeo certainly does not want to see any F-35 shot down by J-20 with its pilot captured by Chinese fishermen.

Comment by Chan Kai Yee on checkpointasia.net’s article, full text of which can be viewed at https://www.checkpointasia.net/armchair-generals-conclude-chinas-latest-j-20-fighter-isnt-maneuverable-wind-tunnel-experiment-proves-them-wrong/

Airshow Unable to Show J-20‘s Three Most Outstanding Advantages

Posted: November 14, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 7 Comments

Impressive the flight shows of J-20 were at Zhuhai Airshow, the shows are not able to display the three most outstanding advamtages of J-20, according to its general designer Yang Wei.

Mil.huanqiu.com says in its report “J-20’s chief designer: Three most outstanding advantages of J-20 cannot be displayed at the airshow” that those most outstanding advantages are its outstanding invisibility, long-range strike capability and infomatized combat capability.

He says that third- and fourth-generation fighter jets are defined by Western developed countries according to their strategic requirements, focuses and priorities. After the fourth generation there are the fifth and sixth generations that they have not defined. Their strategic requirements differ from ours; therefore, in the future process of actual innovation and development we will differ from them in requirements and technology so that the form, shape, etc. of the aircrafts will also differ.

He gave the impression that due to different requirements and technology, China will define its fifth- and six-generations of fighter jets. His ambition is not surprising since he is able to design such wonderful fourth-generation fighter jet.

Comment by Chan Kai Yee on mil.huanqiu.com’s report, full text of which in Chinese can be viewed at http://mil.huanqiu.com/world/2018-11/13542758.html.

Four Achievements in Developing J-20

Posted: March 25, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 5 Comments

J-20 chief designer Yang Wei. Photo from CCTV footage

J-20 chief Designer Yang Wei told reporters that four achievements have been made in developing China’s new stealth fighter jet J-20:

1. Obtaining a new-generation of fighter jet that satisfies the requirements fo functions, performance and technology;

2. Leading technological development. For example the canard structure with satisfactory invisibility and strong supersonic maneuverability that enlarges J-20 range and load. In addition lots of breakthroughs have been made in various aspects including situational awareness, information confrontation and combat coordination. China has switched from catching up to leading technology development in its aviation industry.

3. Creating a new R&D system. Through the development of J-20, Y-20, J-15, Kunlong-600 amphibious plane, etc., China has developed a paper-free digital R&D system to shorten the development cycle and improve quality. The system also incorporates cooperation between military and civilian industries. For example the carbon fiber and other conforming materials are developed by civilian enterprises.

4. The establishment of excellent research teams. In the course of the development of J-20, China has trained lots of young research and development outstanding patriotic workers.

Yang said that China needs entirely new fighter jets so that they are making great efforts to bring more surprises to Chinese people.

Source: mil.huanqiu.com “Yang Wei: Four major goals achieved in developing J-20: More surprises in the future” (summary by Chan Kai Yee based on the report in Chinese)

J-20 Chief Engineer’s Dream: China Sets Standards for Future Fighters

Posted: March 11, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | 10 Comments

NPC deputy, fellow of Chinese Academy of Science and chief designer of J-20 stealth fighter Yang Wei told reporters in a special interview that in the past we often needed to understand what others are doing. If others did it that way, we would be confident in doing so. Now, however, we have realized the surmounting of ourselves. Since the scientific theories, technological foundation and equipment manufacture technology are common but our needs are unique, our technical line shall be independent. It in fact begins the situation where others have to study what we will do in our next step of development. That is also our goal. We shall make ourselves worthy to be studied by others. If we are not worthy to be studied by others, how can we be a party to the games?

Source: mil.huanqiu.com “J-20 chief engineer: One of my dreams is that standards for future fighter planes shall be set by China” (summary by Chan Kai Yee based on the report in Chinese)

China to Be Leader in Military Aviation Technology

Posted: March 13, 2017 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

The J-20 stealth fighter at an air show in Zhuhai last November. Photo: Xinhua

The Two Sessions of China’s NPC and CPPCC offer the best chance to interview China’s top military scientists and engineers. On March 7, mil.huanqiu.com carried a report by China Aviation News on its interview with Yang Wei when he was attending CPPCC session in Beijing.

Yang Wei, a CPPCC member, is deputy director of China Aviation Industry Science and Technology Committee and China Aviation Research Institute, a top aviation research expert.

Due to the confidential nature of China’s military industry, Yang has difficulty to talk about it, but he says, “The issue is whether our adversaries adjust the targets of their equipment in accordance with our equipment or the contrary in future developments of world aviation equipment industry. There is no doubt whatsoever that we will never cease development of new equipment.”

According to Yang there is a long-term plan for China’s aviation industry within China’s ambitious goal of “Made in China 2025”. It does not simply mean manufacture by China but innovation and creation of advanced products. In that perspective, the development of J-20 stealth fighter is but a minor target.

According to Yang’s description, China has passed the “dark forest” into bright sunshine. He says, “The one who has the power to speak in innovation in science and technology will be the rule setter.”

Yang means that China has passed the stage of adjusting its weapon development according to what others have innovated. Now it is the time for China to innovate weapons to make others adjust their weapon development accordingly.

Source: mil.huanqiu.com “J-20 is but a minor target: development of new equipment will not stop” (summary by Chan Kai Yee based on the report in Chinese)

Having Caught up with the Best, China’s Weapon Creation Even Tougher

Posted: March 12, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Yang Wei, chief designer of China's new-type fighter jet

Yang Wei, chief designer of China’s new-type fighter jet

During the current annual NPC and CPPCC sessions, China Aviation News reporter had a special interview with Wu Guanghui, Tang Changhong and Yang Wei, respectively chief designer of C919 large airliner, large transport aircraft and new-type fighter jet and listened to the three CPPCC member aircraft chief designers’ talks on Chinese aviation engineers’ creation, exploration and dream—to make China rich and militarily strong.

According to Yang Wei, in the past, China had clear target to catch up as others were more advanced. He says, “Now we are close to them and even equal to or surpass them in some areas. At that time, the challenges we are facing are even grimmer. Under the circumstance of having no clear target to catch up, the difficulty of creation is not at the same order of magnitude as that in the past.”

Source: huanqiu.com “Chief designer Yang Wei: No clear target to catch up, creation even more difficult” (summary by Chan Kai Yee based on the report in Chinese)