Photo: China's New Stealth Fighter, The F-60

Hat tip to Alert 5.

2nd J-20 Makes Maiden Flight

Photo Credit: David Cenciotti

Photo Of the J-20's Cockpit And HUD

     Alert 5 posted this photo showing the J-20's cockpit. Notice the design of the HUD (Head Up Display) and the cockpit displays.

Photo Credit: Alert 5

J-20 Moves It's Canards

China Defense Blog posted these photos showing the J-20 moving it's canards. One of the more unusual features of J-20 is that it features canards which are not stealth enhancing features because they increase an aircraft's radar cross section.  This might make the J-20 more of a technology demonstrator rather than a new type of Chinese fighter.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Video: J-20 Opening It's Weapons Bays

     Alert 5 posted this video showing the J-20 move it's tails and open what appears to be it's weapons bay. The weapons bay appears to have a straight edge which can decrease the stealth of an aircraft, that might indicate that the J-20 is a technology demonstrator rather than the first of a new type of Chinese fighters.

Video Credit: Alert 5

Did Russia Sell China Tech For The J-20?

      Aviation Week has an extremely interesting article about the possibility that Russia is helping China with the J-20. This possibility lies in the fact that the J-20 looks remarkably similar to the canceled MiG 1.44 "Flatpack".

     The MiG 1.44 was a prototype stealth aircraft developed in the 1990s meant to compete with the F-22 and the Eurofighter, in that it was built with stealth capabilities for the air superiority role, but also with a large air-to-ground payload. The MiG 1.44 was also said to have a top speed of over 1,500 MPH at altitude, and a wing span of about 49 feet. The MiG 1.44 also looks similar to the J-20 as the photo below shows.

     If Russia did provide China with help in building the J-20, it would not be the first time that the Russians/Soviets gave the Chinese help in producing military equipment. Back in the 1950s the Soviets gave the Chinese help in producing Chinese versions of the MiG-15 fighter (J-2), AK-47 assault rifle (Type 56), and the T-55 Main Battle Tank (Type 59). After the Sino-Soviet split during the 1960s, China aligned with the U.S. (this affects America's foreign policy and domestic policy to this day), but in recent years has mended relations with Russia and is now much friendlier than during the Cold War.

     There is some speculation by the folks over DoDBuzz that Russia might be intentionally givng China help with the J-20 to increase the number of stealth fighters vs the number of F-22s and F-35s. Aviation Week also quotes a Russian analyst who speculates that China might have paid Russia for the tail of the MiG 1.44 and some parts.

     If the Russians did provide the Chinese assistance with the J-20, it is not only a dangerous precedent, but at the same time it shows that Russia is willing to sell anything to anybody with a big enough wallet.

      

Photo Credit: Wikipedia, Global Security

     

J-20 Maneuver Caught On Video

     Thanks to Alert 5 for spotting this video of one of the J-20s.

Video Credit: Alert 5

The J-20 May Not Be For Attacking Carriers

     Stephen Trimble over at the The DEW Line spotted this photo apparently showing the weapons bays on the J-20.

     This is not the first time I have posted on the J-20's weapons bays, but in this photo there are some inconsistencies. 1. the PL-9 on the side is larger than the PL-12s in the centerline weapons bay. 2. The PL-12s in the centerline bay appear to have fins overlapping. 3. This appears to be a plastic model that you buy in a hobby shop, and not a very accurate one at that. 

     If this is a model then it does not necessarily show the J-20's true payload, as that would be top secret in China. 

A Tale Of A Chinese AIM-120D & The J-20's Weapons Bays

     I have speculated previously that the J-20 might be designed for attacking U.S. carriers, but until now there have been no photos showing the J-20's weapons bays. Yesterday China Defense Blog posted some new photos showing the J-20's weapons bays, and a Chinese look-a-like (or copy) of the AIM-120D AMRAAM.

The weapons bay shown in the photo looks like it might be able to hold a anti-ship missile, but due to the angle of the photos it's hard to tell. 

And here are the photos showing the copy of the AIM-120D (possibly designated the PL-15). The missile in question might be a mock up of the missile because the missile appears to be slightly bent.

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Grainy Videos Showing Officials Touring The Varyag & The Varyag's Weapons Systems

     Alert 5 spotted these two videos showing a group of officials on the Varyag's deck, and below, a video showing a HQ-10 (FL-3000), a 10 barrel gatling gun, and an unidentified rocket launcher.

Here is the video showing the tour.

And here is the video showing the Varyag's weapons.

If you made the mistake of not turning the sound off for the first video, here is the real song.

Video Credit: Alert 5 & Hans Zimmer

New Photos Show Construction Equipment Being Removed From The Varyag

     The guys over at China Defense Blog spotted these photos showing construction equipment being removed from the Varyag (Shi Lang).

     With the Chinese finally acknowledging the existence of the Varyag and removing construction equipment from the flight deck, it looks like the Varyag is getting ready to sail. 

Photo Credit: China Defense Blog

Taiwan Buys 30 AH-64D Apaches

     Flightglobal reports that a U.S. Army official has announced that Taiwan will purchase 30 AH-64D Block III Apache  attack helicopters.
     With China rapidly expanding it's Air Force and Navy, Taiwan in the last few months has been calling on the U.S. to release the promised F-16 C/Ds. However, this is a new development in the Taiwan vs. People's Republic of China, with Taiwan buying state of the art attack helicopters. One possibility why Taiwan is doing this, is that it is a response to the new Chinese Z-10 which is reported to have gone operational. Another possible reason the Taiwanese purchased the Apache is to deter any Chinese landings on the island, as just 4 or 5 Apaches can really hurt, especially against landing craft and amphibious armored vehicles.
     However, in reality these new arrivals will not have much affect on any Chinese plans to take over Taiwan by force, because the first thing the Chinese would do is achieve aerial superiority. Even if the Apaches get off the ground and to the front line, they would be shot down quickly by either Chinese aircraft or surface-to-air missiles, like the HQ-10 which is the Chinese version of the S-300.
     With Taiwan receiving the first of the new Apaches sometime next year, it will be interesting to see how Beijing reacts to this news.


Photo Credit: U.S. Navy
   
   
 

China Admits What The West Already Knew: Yes, We Are Building An Aircraft Carrier

Well, its official, Defense News reports that General Chen Bingde (whom I have discussed before) admitted the existence of the Varyag (now known as the Shi Lang) along with the fact that they are overhauling it.
     Personally, I am surprised that China has not admitted the existence of the Varyag prior to yesterday as almost every defense enthusiast knows of the Varyag's existence and overhaul. I have written quite a bit about the Varyag (I can't bring myself to call it the Shi Lang), covering everything from the Varyag's weapon systems to the J-15.
     With the Chinese finally admitting that the Varyag exists, it's interesting to see that the Chinese military is similar to the Soviet military in that they both are and were extremely secretive.
   
     

J-20 Landing Video

Stephen Trimble over at The DEW Line spotted this video, take a look.

Chinese General Says That “China never intends to challenge the U.S.”

The Blaze reports that General Chen Bingde who is roughly equivalent to the to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in Washington to help increase cooperation between the U.S. and Communist Chinese militaries. While in Washington he gave a 45 -minute speech at the National Defense University to play down fears of Chinese intentions, during the speech Gen. Bingde stated “China never intends to challenge the U.S.".
     Allow me to show you that what Mr. Bingde said is a bald faced lie. As I have discussed previously China is overhauling the former Soviet carrier Varyag and there is a very good possibility that the Varyag will be ready for sea trials by the end of this year. Now, aircraft carriers are not defensive weapons, they are designed to take the fight to the enemy from 350+ miles away. Now why would a nation that borders mostly nations that have lousy armed forces (with the exception of India and Russia) need an aircraft carrier? Surely China doesn't need an aircraft carrier to bully Vietnam, Myanmar, Japan, or the Philippines? No, most of these countries have nil in the way of a blue water navy, the only country in the Pacific that is a threat to the Chinese is the U.S. The U.S. has the largest Air Force, Navy and best Army in the world and is the only military in the Pacific that can defeat the Chinese military.
     The only reason why the Chinese would build a stealth fighter that possibly has the capability to sink aircraft carriers would be to threaten American aircraft carriers. Honestly, I believe the Chinese are scared of American aircraft carriers, why else would they develop a ballistic missile specifically for sinking aircraft carriers?
      The only thing holding China back from domination the Pacific Ocean is the U.S. military and the Chinese know it. China's massive military buildup in the last 10 years is meant for one purpose, to challenge the U.S. on the high seas and in the air and defeat the U.S. in war. 

China vs. Taiwan Update

Since the Nationalist forces pulled out of mainland China in 1949 the Communist and Nationalist China's have been at each others throats. In the last 15 years this not so friendly rivalry has been intensifying, I have covered some of China's recent actions as seen in "Chengdu J-20: Carrier Killer?", "DF-21D: Is It a Threat?" and "Chinese Naval Aviation Update" with all the coverage going to the "People's" (read communist) Republic of China, I have yet to cover any of the Republic of China's (Taiwan) recent moves.
     In the past few months Taiwan's president Ma Ying-Jeou has urged the U.S. to allow Taiwan to purchase more F-16C/D Block 50/52 Falcons and to allow upgrades to Taiwan's existing F-16A/B Block 20 fleet. President Ma says that these purchases would allow Taiwan to negotiate with the PRC on an equal footing. One of the reasons used to explain the delay in this purchase is that the PRC would retaliate economically if we did so (they hold 1+ trillion dollars of our dept courtesy of the politicians in D.C.). At the same time the Taiwanese have built a homegrown fighter that looks like a cross between an F/A-18 and an F-16.
     Moving on to the world of air defense, the Taiwanese held a drill back in January to test the effectiveness of their I-Hawk surface-to-air missile systems but, 5 out of 19 missiles missed (roughly 25%). Because so many missiles were off target there is speculation that the test will score Taiwan some new American-made surface-to-air missiles, like more MIM-104 Patriot batteries, maybe some MEADS units if and/or when the U.S. reenters the program.
     China in the last 10 years has been rapidly expanding it's navy from a coastal defense fleet to a true blue water navy capable of competing with the U.S. and other countries on the high seas. To answer this threat Taiwan recently fielded the Hsiung Feng III or Brave Wind anti-ship missile on it's warships and, possibly on mobile land launchers as well. The Hsiung Feng III is reported to have a range of 300km, enough to reach mainland China and, a warhead which is rumored to be in the 225kg range. On top of this Taiwan has said that it plans to build a "stealth" warship that will be armed with 8 Hsiung Feng III missiles and 8 Hsiung Feng II missiles. On top of this Taiwan in the last 6 months has added at least 2 frigates and 10 new missile boats to it's naval forces.
     Last, but by no means least is the news that Taiwan has developed an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Beijing. Taiwan has not said if the IRBM is nuclear capable though it probably is not nuclear capable and more likely is meant as a deterrent to show the PRC that Taiwan can hurt them. 
     With the ROC (Taiwan) and the PRC (mainland China) both rapidly building up their military's it is almost inevitable that in the next 20 years there will be a clash between the two nations. When this war begins it is almost certain the U.S. will pulled into the war and will at some point lose an aircraft carrier and multiple surface ships. In the present situation there is no real solution that will appease both sides, in this situation there is only one path to take if you wish to remain free, deterrence. Taiwan has up to this point denied having any nuclear, biological or chemical weapons while the PRC has all of these weapons in large quantities and the necessary delivery systems for these weapons. Taiwan must either engage in a massive build up of it's conventional forces or begin a clandestine nuclear weapons program similar to the early Israeli nuclear program. Whatever the ROC does it must do quickly because the U.S. is moving farther and farther away from Taiwan and more and more towards the PRC and will soon not support Taiwan as we have in previous decades.   


   
Photo Credit: CIA

Chengdu J-20: Carrier Killer?

Yesterday The DEW Line had an interesting article from a Russian magazine speculating that perhaps instead of a fighter the J-20 might perhaps be a "Carrier Killer". This theory would fit with how the J-20 is designed, because the J-20 is optimized for long range, subsonic speeds to Mach 1.6 and has a large amount of room inside for anti-ship cruise missiles.
 Another reason this might fit is the fact the Chengdu's rival Shenyang Aircraft Corporation has yet to come out with a stealth fighter design. This would also fit in that Shenyang produced and produces most of China's indigenous fighter aircraft. Aviation Week had an interesting piece about this, that speculates about some of the other Chinese stealth designs coming down the pipe.
  If the J-20 is designed for the anti-ship role this fits with China's paranoia when it comes to American aircraft carriers. Especially with the recent development of the DF-21D (CSS-5 Mod-4) and cruise missiles like the C-803 (YJ-83).



Photo Credit: Wikipedia