PLA 6th generation fighter thread
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
SteelBird
Colonel
I guess this is just a strategy to get money from the congress. If there's no immediate threat, why bother making new weapon.
Because they've consistently spent >$50B per year on R&D over the last decade since the last product came out(F35).
The progress made in terms of avionics, engine and weapons is much more matured than anywhere else.
In simple terms, after cold war ended, the procurement took a hit, but S&T, RDT&E kept on going at the same pace. Most advanced unfielded tech was advanced to TR Level 5 or 6 and then simply packed up. This allows for quick( less than a decade) employment of such tech into newer platforms.
Albeit, all of this is only useful if they have that aforementioned 'decade' available to implement these technologies. It is the duty of Air chief to ring the bell when he thinks the service might be challenged in a decade.
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AssassinsMace
Lieutenant General
We heard so much of the US already flying their 6th gen which really means nothing. There's a lot more that has to be than just getting a shell with an engine it and declaring the US 6th gen has flown. Now that there's news this guy is worried China might have a 6th gen out before the US is only saying nothing is assured along the way in developing the US 6th gen.
Skywatcher
Captain
It's not like General Kelly is going to get dragged out of retirement to be hauled before a Congressional committee or court martialed if the USAF 6th gen enters service before its Chinese counterpart (yes, retired military personnel can be court martialed for things done during their service, or even after service (if they're a twenty 20 retiree, apparently)..
If I’m not mistaken, a Pope was exhumed after 600 years to be excommunicated!
I remember seeing a satellite image of a potential 6th gen fighter at a Chinese Radar(?) Lab. Does anyone know more about this or have the image?
Think it's on HI Sutton's site quite recently.
I found it. Although there's no sign that this is exactly sixth generation, it's a stealthy model being tested in 2020. Maybe H-20?