Chinese Stealth Technology

[Atheist-Lite]

Stolen or reverse engineered? Is it up to the mark?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ja ... -jet-tests

Hu Jintao confirmed today that China had carried out its first test flight of a stealth fighter jet, the US defence secretary said.

Robert Gates, who is in Beijing for talks to improve military ties, said the Chinese president had told him the jet's trial was not arranged to coincide with his visit.

Hu's confirmation came after accounts and pictures of the J-20 prototype's short flight appeared on Chinese websites. The fighter is believed to have flown for about 15 minutes over an airfield in the south-western city of Chengdu.

There had previously been photographs said to show the aeroplane going through runway tests. Hu's comments were the first official acknowledgement of the project.

Some interpreted the timing as a sign that Beijing had heeded calls for greater transparency about its military programme, while others thought it more likely to be a show of strength.

Reports suggest that China's progress in developing a rival to the US stealth fighter, the F-22, has been faster than expected – although it is thought it will take years before the plane is in service.

The F-22 is the only operational stealth fighter, although the US is also developing the F-35 joint strike fighter, and Russia's Sukhoi T-50 is expected to enter service in about 2015.

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