Fifth generation stealth fighter (J-20) from China

Guess this means we should increase our military budget.

 

I guess without really seeing it in action, all we can get is speculation from "experts."

 

China's policies of basically stealing technology is pretty lame...is it time to put a Tarrif on their products until they recognize patents?

DD

 

Yes, that's so true. I'm surprised no one mentioned this earlier. China the knockoff king of the world seems to have no qualms about outright theft of intellectual property. The Chinese government is notorious for promoting "indigenous innovation" policy which forces the military to purchase domestic products and technologies, knowing all to well that the technology was stolen from the U.S. Plus, any foreign participation often comes with the prerequisite of forced transfer of technology.

It's time we address this problem in a serious way especially now that China is stealing high end stuff like next gen military tech. Consider this, right now we are leading the way in research for alternative clean energy through billions spend in R&D. If we come up with a breakthrough in the next decade, guess who benefits the most from clean energy?

This is going to be a huge issue in the next several decades, emerging markets like China and India benefit hugely from leaps in technology but without having to share any of the costs. This free lunch program has to stop.

 

We all benefit from clean energy.

 

Nonsense, that's the beta male way of thinking.

We can't share this stuff with the rest of the world. How can USA be the boss if we continue to share? We'll look weak in the eyes of our enemies.

 

I have seen footage of this stealth plane in action on CCTV, and let me tell you it is quite impressive:

http://gizmodo.com/5745307/did-china-try-to-pass-off-top-gun-as-air-force-footage

I particularly like the part where Maverick throws the dogtags in the water.

 

There's no word yet on whether or not the Chinese fighter pilots engaged in any beach volleyball after the exercises.

 

This is freaking hilarious.

Are the new chinese stealth fighters allowed to buzz the tower??

 

That's a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.

 

Top Secret declassified Chinese fighter program footage. (hurry might be taken down soon!)

Spoiler

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zCcMxb72TeY" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

 

Well you can pick up DVD's of Top Gun for cheap in Beijing.

 

Yep. This will come up in Congressional hearings about how not only can we not cut our defense budget but need to greatly increase spending on things like F-22's.

I can see now Congressmen playing clips of Top Gun in hearing rooms and shouting "Do you want to see this happen to us!"

 

You make a joke of it, but I'd prefer seeing us cancel the F-35 program and restarting the proven 5th generation F-22. The F-22 is far superior to anything else flying right now, superior to the F-35, and has room to be upgraded. In the long run, in my opinion, it would save us billions and leave us better protected against some future adversary. Spend some of the money saved building more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, a 4.5 generation fighter.

 

The problem is the F-22 is not as versatile as the F-35. The F-35 can vertical takeoff, multitask as an ground attack aircraft, carrier aircraft etc, the F-22 is an air superiority fighter only(the best, by far). Also the F-35 is a joint-funded aircraft between the US and many other countries, where as the F-22 is never to be allowed to be sold to other countries.

 

I would be fine with canceling the F-35 program and freezing new purchases of F-22's.

 

http://english.cctv.com/20091116/101150.shtml

I guess not counting the F-18, F-15, F22, and F-35.

 

I'm familiar with all that. The British, one of those very interested in the STOVL F-35B, have changed their minds. They now want the US Navy's desired F-35C, which has a strengthened undercarriage, folding wings, and uses a catapult. Why? Because the two carriers they are building now (one of which will most likely be sold to India upon completion, in my opinion) have had their design changed to use a catapult with an angled deck, so they no longer require that capability. Another possible reason?

The United States Navy has argued that USMC squadrons that operate from supercarriers should use the F-35C instead of the "suboptimal" F-35B. On 6 January 2011, Gates said that the 2012 budget would call for a two year pause in F-35B production during which the aircraft may be redesigned, or canceled if unsuccessful. Gates stated, "If we cannot fix this variant during this time frame, and get it back on track in terms of performance, cost and schedule, then I believe it should be canceled."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-35_Lightning_II#F-35C

Personally, I think the F-35B should be tossed entirely, along with the whole program. The Navy can "make do" for a long time with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. An export version of the F-22 can be built to be sold to our closest allies, like Japan, Britain, and Australia, to name a few.

You should be happy with the current state of the F-22 program, which the President has cancelled, a mistake, in my opinion (obviously!). We agree about the F-35.

 

So they stole scenes from top gun? I am sensing an copyright lawsuit coming.

 

Well, you can do that, but then the clock is ticking on how long we can guarantee security for Japan, Taiwan etc...

If coupled with a corresponding decrease in U.S. commitment overseas then we've just saved a metric ass ton of cash. I am not against such a thing, but we need to say it out loud so these countries are not left in a lurch waiting for the U.S. to come riding to the rescue.

If not, those "still superior" F-15's will have their wings fall off at the rate we use them. We haven't purchased fighters in significant numbers since the 80's.

And Deck, I couldn't agree more with the F-35 turd bucket program badly needing to be canceled. You can get more capability for much less money using a USAF Superhornet and F-22 mix. 50 billion buys 1000 Superhornets for crying out loud.

Forget the VTOL birds... To operate from a forward deployed base takes massive amounts of fuel, munitions, and upkeep. It just isn't worth the hassle of operating from someplace that wasn't designed to operate planes. If you want to support Marines hitting beaches, run SEAD overhead and send in the C-130 gunships.

400 billion dollar program. Ugh.


As for the J-20, I'm in the "prove it" camp. It could be an outstanding interceptor if indeed large, fast, and low observable. No way to know how it handles without knowing wing loading and actual thrust or if it has a competitive electronics suite or what.