posted on Jan, 7 2003 @ 11:09 PM
The Chinese People's Liberations Army Air Force will soon have a fifth generation fighter jet to replace the aging J-6, J-7, J-8, J-9, MiG-21.
The new J-10 is a Joint Chinese-Israel operation.
The Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and the 611 institute began development of the J-10 during the 1980s, as part of an effort to produce a
single-engined, single-seat multi-role, fighter to replace the obsolete J-7 fighter and the Q-5 attack aircraft.
In looks the J-10 appears to be very similar to the Euro Fighter Typhoon,
CAC has carried out full tests on 10 prototypes the last being 28 June 2002 when Number 1008 flew its madden flight.
A J-10B has been earmarked as a possible Carrier-based version.
With a reported take off weight of 42,00lb, the J-10 is about 1/3 lighter than the Su-27K deployed aboard Russia's Admiral Kuznetsov, allowing it to
operate more easily from a smaller deck, and take off with full load from a Russian-style ski-jump.
China has sharp teeth! Now!
[Edited on 20-2-2004 by John bull 1]