Regional stealth fighter race
While China is expanding the activities of fighter 5th generation stealth, many other countries in the region are also promoting the deployment of similar fighters.
In early May, the US Congressional Research Service released a new report on the F-35 stealthy fifth-generation fighter program.
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China’s J-20 stealth fighter during an appearance in January 2022 Chinamil.com.cn |
Many countries are involved
According to the above report, Japan, Korea along with Singapore are the first countries in East Asia to own “terrible toys”. F-35.
Of which, Japan received a total of 147 F-35s, including 105 of the F-35A version and 42 of the F-35B. To date, the country has operated dozens of F-35As after being delivered the first ones since 2017. Not only staffing the F-35A for the air defense force, Japan is also promoting equipment. F-35B for the Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). With the ability to take off and land vertically, the F-35B version has been deployed by the US to several types of amphibious assault ships designed like a small aircraft carrier.
In October 2021, two US Marines’ F-35B fighter jets successfully took off and landed on the JMSDF’s helicopter-carrying destroyer JS Izumo. Along with the JS Kaga, the JS Izumo of the Izumo class has a full displacement of about 27,000 tons and is nearly 250 meters long. The successful testing of the F-35B fighter jet on board the JS Izumo is an important turning point for the JMSDF to be able to equip stealth fighters for this class of warships, towards owning two capable aircraft carriers. the ability to deploy stealthy 5th generation fighters.
Japan’s neighbor is Korea In March, it was announced that it could fully operate the F-35A after testing and training. South Korea ordered 40 F-35A fighters and received the first since 2019. Not only that, the country is also considering ordering 20 more F-35Bs to equip the navy. .
In Southeast Asia, Singapore is expected to receive F-35B from 2026. In 2019, it ordered four of the above types and was approved by the US. Not only that, the US also approved the sale of 8 more F-35s to Singapore. Last year, the US set up facilities at the base military in the state of Arkansas of this country as a place to garrison and train F-16 and F-35 fighters for the Singapore Army.
In addition, in the Pacific region, Australia in March announced that it had just added F-35s, bringing the total number of F-35s that this country operates to 48. Joining the F-35 program early, Australia plans to own 100 F-35s.
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F-35B fighter jet lands on JS Izumo US Marine |
China accelerates
Meanwhile, China over the years has equipped J-20 is also a stealthy 5th generation fighter for the country’s air force. Recently, China has sent the J-20 to conduct patrols in the East and South China Seas after deploying to a number of areas, including the border area between this country and India, when tensions between the two sides emerged. rise high.
Not only that, Beijing is accelerating the process of completing the FC-31 line, which includes both a version to equip an aircraft carrier, and even a version for short takeoff and vertical landing with the ambition of equipping including Type 075 amphibious assault ships.
On May 1, the South China Morning Post newspaper cited a recent satellite image showing the FC-31 5th generation stealth fighter being deployed at the aircraft carrier flight training area at a naval base of Vietnam. China. Specifically, the image shows two FC-31 fighter jets parked in the runway area with a runway that simulates a slide similar to the “snub nose” part of China’s Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers. possess. Therefore, observers say that China is promoting the training of FC-31 pilots to deploy to aircraft carriers.
Not a small challenge
A key challenge when operating a stealth fighter is that maintenance is more complex than that of a conventional fighter. In particular, the maintenance of the fuselage is especially difficult because it is necessary to ensure the quality of the surface and shape of the fuselage, wings, control surfaces and engine intakes. All require perfect quality because just a small defect or a small part is deformed, the aircraft loses some stealth capabilities.
Mr. Carl O. Schuster
Reply Youth on May 6, Mr. Carl O.Schuster (former Executive Director of the Joint Intelligence Center – Pacific Command of the US Navy and is teaching at the University of Hawaii on international relations and history. ) indicates that the above training process usually lasts from 18-24 months. “The start of takeoff and landing training indicates that the construction of the aircraft carrier is on track for launch and sea trials can begin within two years of the carrier’s launch. If China is starting to train to operate the aircraft, it is likely that it wants to ensure that its aircraft carrier fighter squadrons will be ready to participate in sea trials by 2024, “said the expert. forecast.
He also said that China plans to have stealth fighters play a central role in its third aircraft carrier.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: thanhnien.vn – Read the original article here
