Chinese stealth fighter takes to the air

[roo_ster]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=upiUPI-20110112-080348-7131&show_article=1

I wonder if the PRC will stop production of its 5th-gen fighter at fewer than 200?

[Gowen]

I wonder if they borrowed the designs from the Russians, who borrowed the design from the Americans.  Then again, it could have been a plans for debt payment courtesy of the commerce dept.

[MicroBalrog]

Apparently uses a Russian engine.

[French G.]

So we look for the radar signature of the leaking oil instead of looking for the plane? 

[280plus]

Well, it's been nice knowing you all... 

[MillCreek]

I wonder if they borrowed the designs from the Russians, who borrowed the design from the Americans.  Then again, it could have been a plans for debt payment courtesy of the commerce dept.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the PRC picture was the similarity to the American version.  Decades ago, I remember thinking the same thing when the Soviets came out with the 'Buran' space shuttle, and if espionage played a role.  I still wonder about that, or do the laws of physics and aerodynamics dictate similar configurations to accomplish similar goals?

[AJ Dual]

The first thing I thought of when I saw the PRC picture was the similarity to the American version.  Decades ago, I remember thinking the same thing when the Soviets came out with the 'Buran' space shuttle, and if espionage played a role.  I still wonder about that, or do the laws of physics and aerodynamics dictate similar configurations to accomplish similar goals?

It's a bit of both.

[280plus]

yep, espionage outstanding you can garantee when ours came out they were closely examining every picture they could get their hands on. Probably photographing them flying and on the ground from space as well.

[dogmush]

Well Northrop had to make some of the money back from the YF-23 program somehow........

[Monkeyleg]

I still wonder about that, or do the laws of physics and aerodynamics dictate similar configurations to accomplish similar goals?

That would also explain why Jaguar's, Mercedes and Fords all look the same.

[AJ Dual]

That would also explain why Jaguar's, Mercedes and Fords all look the same.

Actually...

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1963_Ford_Thunderbird_Convertible.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2007-07-22_Mercedes-Benz_300_SL_Roadster_(ret_kl).JPG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jaguar_XK_140,_1954.JPG

The Chinese stealth and the F-22 are probably about as close in aeronautical and stealth terms as any of these are.

[230RN]

My stealth airplane just flew last week.

But nobody noticed.

I took pictures of it from the chase plane.

If it weren't for the test pilot, we would never have found it.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LY-Pg_re-Ro/SKC4VBZxVYI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ZLW-W_dy5Eo/s400/wonder+woman+plane.jpg