Comment by wrg91237 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by wrg91237 | Hacker News Reader

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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu_J-20

"At least six J-20s are in active service, with tail numbers 78271-78276 identified. Another six were believed ready to be delivered by end of Dec 2016.[86] On 9 March 2017, Chinese officials confirmed that the J-20 had entered service in the Chinese air force.

In September 2017, the J-20 officially entered military service with PLAAF, making China the second country in the world after United States wielding fifth-generation stealth aircraft, and the first in Asia.[87][87][88][16]

In January 2018, Chinese media reports that J-20 is in full operation-ready deployment.[89]"

https://www.economist.com/news/china/21737074-some-technolog...

"in two years’ time, if not before, America is likely to lose its monopoly of radar-beating stealth combat aircraft with the introduction into service of China’s Chengdu J-20. This has a much longer range than America’s new F-35 fighter and will be a serious threat to American warships in the Pacific."

"Another system, yet to be named, would provide China with an ability to knock out targets as far away as 400km, a far greater range than any other air-to-air weapon in service. It would threaten aircraft that currently operate safely from a considerable distance, such as tankers and planes used for airborne surveillance and control. "

'At least six J-20s are in active service, with tail numbers 78271-78276 identified. Another six were believed ready to be delivered by end of Dec 2016.[86] On 9 March 2017, Chinese officials confirmed that the J-20 had entered service in the Chinese air force.

In September 2017, the J-20 officially entered military service with PLAAF, making China the second country in the world after United States wielding fifth-generation stealth aircraft, and the first in Asia.[87][87][88][16]

In January 2018, Chinese media reports that J-20 is in full operation-ready deployment.'

Yeah, that all sounds great as propaganda. It's clear to any knowledgeable observer that the J-20 likely still has significant issues. As I mentioned before, it's also not at all clear how stealthy it is as well. There's a reason no other stealth aircraft has canards...

"in two years’ time, if not before, America is likely to lose its monopoly of radar-beating stealth combat aircraft with the introduction into service of China’s Chengdu J-20. This has a much longer range than America’s new F-35 fighter and will be a serious threat to American warships in the Pacific."

Carrier based F-35s will be in service soon (or already are in the case of the F-35B), countering the range advantage. All that said, the F-22 is the true counterpart to the J-20 and will likely mop the floor with it if necessary.

It's worth noting that for strike aircraft like the F-35, the main goal is avoiding detection to bomb targets. Stealth aircraft have no advantage over any other aircraft at detecting other stealth aircraft - making the J-20 no more of a threat than any Gen 4 aircraft.

"Another system, yet to be named, would provide China with an ability to knock out targets as far away as 400km, a far greater range than any other air-to-air weapon in service. It would threaten aircraft that currently operate safely from a considerable distance, such as tankers and planes used for airborne surveillance and control. "

Yep, that's interesting. I wonder how our jammers, anti-missile missiles, and directed energy weapons will fare against it...

https://www.economist.com/news/china/21737074-some-technolog...

https://chinapower.csis.org/china-chengdu-j-20/

This will handle Air combat quite fine.

"The short-range PL-10, which was introduced in 2015, is regarded by military analysts as comparable in performance to Western equivalents, such as the Sidewinder II. This year, the PL-15, a radar-guided “beyond visual range” missile (BVRAAM), should enter service. Carried by a J-20, the PL-15 can destroy an aircraft 50km away that is trying to evade it. “The Military Balance” believes that a version of the missile is in the works that will have a cruise speed of Mach 3. It is similar in design to the European Meteor, the best BVRAAM in the West’s inventory, which is only just entering service."

As you say J-20 will be used to deter aircraft carriers and warships.

"A 2015 RAND report noted the J-20’s “combination of forward stealth and long range could hold U.S. Navy surface assets at risk, and that a long-range maritime strike capability may be a cause for greater concern than a short-range air-superiority fighter like the F-22.” The J-20’s size and weapons configuration may, however, preclude it from functioning as an effective strike fighter in either context. Importantly, the mission types Chinese pilots are trained for may determine how the J-20 is eventually utilized."

"The U.S. Naval War College suggests that the J-20 could be an “effective surface-attack platform for out to several hundred nautical miles at sea.” Air Power Australia notes that the J-20 would be a suitable choice of aircraft for operating within China’s “first island chain” and “second island chain.” Should China integrate aerial refueling aircraft with the J-20, the stealth fighter’s operational range would extend even further across the Asia-Pacific."

This all assumes that the aircraft even leave the ground. First strike to cripple combat capability will most certainly be utilized among other things. The deck will be stacked, so to speak, for overall victory. Don't assume there will be a classic force on force engagement.

That assumes one would be able to successfully mount a first strike, which is somewhat doubtful.

Also note China is expected to deploy hypersonic weapons that are excellent for first strikes against naval forces.

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