Disturbing sign of things to come?

[chemdude1232]

https://aerospaceblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/chinese-j-20-stealth-fighterbomber/

This is hitting the airwaves on the major news sites as well. Looks like China is attempting to form its own stealth fighter.

The plane, visually, appears to be based on the design of the F-22 Raptor (the Raptor is what has been called the most advanced jet in the world...and nothing comes close to it). However, there appear to be design "flaws" including usage of very thirsty, big Russian jet engines, pretty bloated weight figures, and from what I've read elsewhere, a poorly-designed and slightly obsolete radar system.

So, the question arises: is China just keeping up with the Joneses, or is this a prelude to grander plans?

 

[Archie Moses]

That plane has boobs.

 

[VINYLONE]

So, the question arises: is China just keeping up with the Joneses, or is this a prelude to grander plans?

Great question. If you're really interested in some great viewpoints, please google Robert D. Kaplan. He writes from the Atlantic Monthly as well as some other periodicals...his views on China and the Indo-China region are held in high esteem.

There are many people that believe is NOT a true super power because of their lack of Navy. For the last decade or so, at least from what I have read, China has been building quite an armed force...both land, sea and air.

 

[Scat]

Until China captures a UFO so as to copy the alien technology they will always be nothing more than posers.

 

[chemdude1232]

Until China captures a UFO so as to copy the alien technology they will always be nothing more than posers.

True, but they are posers who have saved themselves literally billions of dollars in development by copying schematics and rummaging through Russia's parts bin for various components. While it seems this J20 is equivalent to pre-F22 technology, the means are surely there to revamp the design and create a real dog fighting machine within a decade or so.