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China-built stealth fighter takes maiden flight
By Zhu Moqing |
January 11, 2011, Tuesday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
A prototype of China's first domestically designed and manufactured stealth fighter made its first test flight today, according to images and blogs posted by military fans.
The twin-engine fighter, known as J-20, took off from an airstrip at the site of Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group at 12:50pm today, accompanied by a J-10S fighter/trainer. The flight lasted for about 18 minutes and when it returned to the airstrip people surrounded the aircraft and cheered.
Spectators around the airstrip lit firecrackers to celebrate, the online Global Times reported.
Clear photos of J-20 appeared on the Internet two weeks ago when the plane was undergoing runway tests. Video clips posted by aero fans became a hit for the past two weeks.
However, the flight is yet to be confirmed by official sources. People who answered phones at Chengdu government offices and the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group all refused to comment.
No specifications of J-20 are available, but overseas observers said the plane is a potential rival to the US F-22 Raptor and the Russian T-50 stealth fighter.
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor, which entered USAF service in December 2005, is the world's only fully operational fifth-generation stealth fighter. Russia's Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter made its maiden flight last year and is expected to enter service in about four years.
In the photos, China's J-20 appears larger than either the Russian or US fighters, potentially allowing it fly farther and carry heavier weapons, the Associated Press reported.
Overseas media deemed J-20's entry into the test flight stage marked China's faster-than-expected progress with some cutting-edge technologies. Analysts said two prototypes have been built with one using Russian engines and the other using Chinese engines. It wasn't clear which prototype flew today, the Associated Press said.
The twin-engine fighter, known as J-20, took off from an airstrip at the site of Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group at 12:50pm today, accompanied by a J-10S fighter/trainer. The flight lasted for about 18 minutes and when it returned to the airstrip people surrounded the aircraft and cheered.
Spectators around the airstrip lit firecrackers to celebrate, the online Global Times reported.
Clear photos of J-20 appeared on the Internet two weeks ago when the plane was undergoing runway tests. Video clips posted by aero fans became a hit for the past two weeks.
However, the flight is yet to be confirmed by official sources. People who answered phones at Chengdu government offices and the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group all refused to comment.
No specifications of J-20 are available, but overseas observers said the plane is a potential rival to the US F-22 Raptor and the Russian T-50 stealth fighter.
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor, which entered USAF service in December 2005, is the world's only fully operational fifth-generation stealth fighter. Russia's Sukhoi T-50 stealth fighter made its maiden flight last year and is expected to enter service in about four years.
In the photos, China's J-20 appears larger than either the Russian or US fighters, potentially allowing it fly farther and carry heavier weapons, the Associated Press reported.
Overseas media deemed J-20's entry into the test flight stage marked China's faster-than-expected progress with some cutting-edge technologies. Analysts said two prototypes have been built with one using Russian engines and the other using Chinese engines. It wasn't clear which prototype flew today, the Associated Press said.
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