U.S. Accuses China Of Stealing
Its Jet Design
The Sino-American relationship is being tested once again after the U.S. has accused China of stealing its aircraft patterns and basing the new fifth-generation J-31 jet on the American F-35 aircraft.
China J-31 Stealth Fighter
The Sino-American relationship is being tested once again after the U.S. has accused China of stealing its aircraft patterns and basing the new fifth-generation J-31 jet on the American F-35 aircraft.
China J-31 Stealth Fighter
China Unveils The J-31 In
Dubai
China showcased its Shenyang J-31 fighter jet formally for the first time in an international setting at the Dubai Airshow this past week. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China representatives at the Dubai Airshow lauded the J-31 fighter jet for its "outstanding situational awareness". The officials are reported to have said that the aircraft's superior design makes it exceptionally suited to "the demands of future battlefield environments".
U.S. Accuses China Of Stealing Its Jet Design
U.S. security experts have declared that the Chinese J-31 jet is based on stolen designs; according to Washington, the Chinese "Gyrfalcon" J-31 aircraft has been modeled after the American F-35 fighter jet.
Information pertaining to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet was stolen when the manufacturers' networks were hacked into in April 2009. Lockheed Martin- an equipment manufacturing company that serves the U.S. defence forces- reported a security breach in its systems; it is believed that the hack was part of a cyber attack on the aerospace company Boeing, meticulously planned and executed between 2009 and 2013.
The defence contractors responsible for the F-35 fighter jet accused Stephen Su and two other Chinese citizens of perpetrating the hack. Calling the attack "significant and tenacious," Lockheed Martin assured audiences that the company's "systems remain secure; no customer, program, or employee personal data has been compromised". It is, however, now being assumed- given China's launch of the J-31 jet- that there may well have been some truth to the suspicion that data pertaining to the F-35 and the F-22 jets was stolen during the security breach.
China's recent presentation of the J-31 jet had initially wooed the international community, but since the U.S. has leveled its accusations, defence experts and potential buyers are now uncertain as to whether or not China's 'indigenous' design truly counts as an authentic accomplishment.
Comparing China's J-31 Jet With The American F-35
While praise for and interest in the Chinese J-31 fighter jet picks up steam, so does the cynicism: defense officials within the U.S. are not only criticizing China for copying the American fifth-generation F-35 aircraft, they also opine that the Chinese variant is no match for the original. However, at this point, there has been very little to base practical comparisons of the two fighter jets on; the analyses presently are purely theoretical and observational, rooted in technical specifications and insider expertise.
IHS Jane's Defence Weekly states, "The similarity includes the use of two tracking mirrors and a flat-faceted optical window, with bottom fuselage placement just aft the radar radome."
At first glance, the physical resemblance between the two fighter jets is uncanny. However, from a defense-oriented point of view, it is the operational characteristics that truly count. In terms of aerodynamic functioning, it is estimated that the Chinese J-31 fighter jet is likely to offer much the same experience as the American F-35. However, as reported in The National Interest, the real multimillion-dollar question is whether or not China has successfully been able to combine several technologies to build a superior aircraft.
It is understood that while the J-31is being positioned in the market as an indigenous Chinese design, when it comes to defense technology, very few countries possess the ability, resources and knowhow needed to craft truly native systems. Even if China has, indeed, progressed technologically to a point where it is capable of developing its own defense technologies, it stands to reason that a significant part of the development process involves adapting existing technologies and designs to domestic markets/ needs.
The National Interest carries an interview with a high-ranking U.S. military official who opines that the day is not far that Chinese aircrafts will be at par with those built in the U.S. "I think they'll eventually be on par with our fifth-gen jets-as they should be, because industrial espionage is alive and well," said the American aerial security expert. However, as the unnamed official points out, it is what is on the inside that matters more than the external structure. And here is where defence analysts expect China to trail behind the U.S.
It is known that the airframe of the two jets is alike, and the Chinese J-31 is outfitted with two interior weapons bays as well. These are intended to house both guided as well as unguided missiles, much as the American F-35 jet is. Both aircrafts sport the twin forward wheels, as is typical of most career-style fighter jets. The F-35 is outfitted with a mount for a jamming pod or centerline gunnery; the feature is missing in the J-31. China's J-31, however does have an extra light hardpoint on each wing, on top of the basic two heavy hardpoints and one light hardpoint on either end.
It is believed that the American F-35 trumps the Chinese J-31 in terms of internal components such as the sensor fusion technology, infrared search and track systems, a superior 'kill ratio', data-links etc.
The true mark of a fighter jet's capability is in the quality of its cockpit systems, radars, engines and sensor systems. U.S. defense officials reveal that the state has spent significant time and resources developing and perfecting the F-35; the J-31, in comparison, is still in its nascent stages and officials expect that it will be at least a few years before the Chinese jet is able to go wing-to-wing with its American counterpart. "We didn't develop those over night. It takes a lot of time to get where we are today, which is why we continue to preserve our advantage," explains the U.S. military official in The National Interest, adding, "They are going get there one day, make no mistake."
A Closer Look At The Chinese J-31
The Chinese J-31 jet is a fifth-generation, mid-size fighter jet that runs on a twin-engine system. News of the fighter jet first broke when some photographs of a model started doing the rounds online in September 2011. These were succeeded by more photographs in the following year; the pictures showed what appeared to be a prototype aircraft being moved between locations and later, housed at an airfield. The initial photographs are believed to show the F-60; the F-60 is tagged as the export variant of the J-31, which is primarily understood to be for domestic use.
Security Implication's Of China's J-31 Jet
Perhaps the most significant impact of China's announcement is that it will undoubtedly add yet another dimension to the security landscape in Asia, especially in the context of the South Asian countries.
A pointed arms race is already underway in the region, which is known for several traditional rivalries and uneasy bilateral ties. With tensions between China and Japan, India and China, India and Pakistan and China and North Korea constantly simmering under the surface, advancements in weapons technology have become de rigueur. Most Asian states are constantly trying to outcompete one another in terms of native weapons technologies as well as imports; these attempts are usually buttressed (or offset) using bilateral ties and defense agreements: where China and Pakistan have sought more alliances of late, India and the U.S. have turned to each other. Security experts believe that China may intend to use the J-31 to tip the regional balance in its favor, but this might just trigger other countries into purchasing the F-35 or crafting indigenous fifth generation fighter jets to meet China's growing military might.
Media reports suggest that Iran and Pakistan have already expressed an interest in the J-31 fighter jets and may pursue extensive deals with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in the coming months. Whether the J-31 is also formally added to China's Armed Forces or reserved only for foreign buyers- or both- remains to be seen.
China showcased its Shenyang J-31 fighter jet formally for the first time in an international setting at the Dubai Airshow this past week. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China representatives at the Dubai Airshow lauded the J-31 fighter jet for its "outstanding situational awareness". The officials are reported to have said that the aircraft's superior design makes it exceptionally suited to "the demands of future battlefield environments".
U.S. Accuses China Of Stealing Its Jet Design
U.S. security experts have declared that the Chinese J-31 jet is based on stolen designs; according to Washington, the Chinese "Gyrfalcon" J-31 aircraft has been modeled after the American F-35 fighter jet.
Information pertaining to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet was stolen when the manufacturers' networks were hacked into in April 2009. Lockheed Martin- an equipment manufacturing company that serves the U.S. defence forces- reported a security breach in its systems; it is believed that the hack was part of a cyber attack on the aerospace company Boeing, meticulously planned and executed between 2009 and 2013.
The defence contractors responsible for the F-35 fighter jet accused Stephen Su and two other Chinese citizens of perpetrating the hack. Calling the attack "significant and tenacious," Lockheed Martin assured audiences that the company's "systems remain secure; no customer, program, or employee personal data has been compromised". It is, however, now being assumed- given China's launch of the J-31 jet- that there may well have been some truth to the suspicion that data pertaining to the F-35 and the F-22 jets was stolen during the security breach.
China's recent presentation of the J-31 jet had initially wooed the international community, but since the U.S. has leveled its accusations, defence experts and potential buyers are now uncertain as to whether or not China's 'indigenous' design truly counts as an authentic accomplishment.
Comparing China's J-31 Jet With The American F-35
While praise for and interest in the Chinese J-31 fighter jet picks up steam, so does the cynicism: defense officials within the U.S. are not only criticizing China for copying the American fifth-generation F-35 aircraft, they also opine that the Chinese variant is no match for the original. However, at this point, there has been very little to base practical comparisons of the two fighter jets on; the analyses presently are purely theoretical and observational, rooted in technical specifications and insider expertise.
IHS Jane's Defence Weekly states, "The similarity includes the use of two tracking mirrors and a flat-faceted optical window, with bottom fuselage placement just aft the radar radome."
At first glance, the physical resemblance between the two fighter jets is uncanny. However, from a defense-oriented point of view, it is the operational characteristics that truly count. In terms of aerodynamic functioning, it is estimated that the Chinese J-31 fighter jet is likely to offer much the same experience as the American F-35. However, as reported in The National Interest, the real multimillion-dollar question is whether or not China has successfully been able to combine several technologies to build a superior aircraft.
It is understood that while the J-31is being positioned in the market as an indigenous Chinese design, when it comes to defense technology, very few countries possess the ability, resources and knowhow needed to craft truly native systems. Even if China has, indeed, progressed technologically to a point where it is capable of developing its own defense technologies, it stands to reason that a significant part of the development process involves adapting existing technologies and designs to domestic markets/ needs.
The National Interest carries an interview with a high-ranking U.S. military official who opines that the day is not far that Chinese aircrafts will be at par with those built in the U.S. "I think they'll eventually be on par with our fifth-gen jets-as they should be, because industrial espionage is alive and well," said the American aerial security expert. However, as the unnamed official points out, it is what is on the inside that matters more than the external structure. And here is where defence analysts expect China to trail behind the U.S.
It is known that the airframe of the two jets is alike, and the Chinese J-31 is outfitted with two interior weapons bays as well. These are intended to house both guided as well as unguided missiles, much as the American F-35 jet is. Both aircrafts sport the twin forward wheels, as is typical of most career-style fighter jets. The F-35 is outfitted with a mount for a jamming pod or centerline gunnery; the feature is missing in the J-31. China's J-31, however does have an extra light hardpoint on each wing, on top of the basic two heavy hardpoints and one light hardpoint on either end.
It is believed that the American F-35 trumps the Chinese J-31 in terms of internal components such as the sensor fusion technology, infrared search and track systems, a superior 'kill ratio', data-links etc.
The true mark of a fighter jet's capability is in the quality of its cockpit systems, radars, engines and sensor systems. U.S. defense officials reveal that the state has spent significant time and resources developing and perfecting the F-35; the J-31, in comparison, is still in its nascent stages and officials expect that it will be at least a few years before the Chinese jet is able to go wing-to-wing with its American counterpart. "We didn't develop those over night. It takes a lot of time to get where we are today, which is why we continue to preserve our advantage," explains the U.S. military official in The National Interest, adding, "They are going get there one day, make no mistake."
A Closer Look At The Chinese J-31
The Chinese J-31 jet is a fifth-generation, mid-size fighter jet that runs on a twin-engine system. News of the fighter jet first broke when some photographs of a model started doing the rounds online in September 2011. These were succeeded by more photographs in the following year; the pictures showed what appeared to be a prototype aircraft being moved between locations and later, housed at an airfield. The initial photographs are believed to show the F-60; the F-60 is tagged as the export variant of the J-31, which is primarily understood to be for domestic use.
Security Implication's Of China's J-31 Jet
Perhaps the most significant impact of China's announcement is that it will undoubtedly add yet another dimension to the security landscape in Asia, especially in the context of the South Asian countries.
A pointed arms race is already underway in the region, which is known for several traditional rivalries and uneasy bilateral ties. With tensions between China and Japan, India and China, India and Pakistan and China and North Korea constantly simmering under the surface, advancements in weapons technology have become de rigueur. Most Asian states are constantly trying to outcompete one another in terms of native weapons technologies as well as imports; these attempts are usually buttressed (or offset) using bilateral ties and defense agreements: where China and Pakistan have sought more alliances of late, India and the U.S. have turned to each other. Security experts believe that China may intend to use the J-31 to tip the regional balance in its favor, but this might just trigger other countries into purchasing the F-35 or crafting indigenous fifth generation fighter jets to meet China's growing military might.
Media reports suggest that Iran and Pakistan have already expressed an interest in the J-31 fighter jets and may pursue extensive deals with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in the coming months. Whether the J-31 is also formally added to China's Armed Forces or reserved only for foreign buyers- or both- remains to be seen.
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