As the new generation of Chinese Air Force , the J-20 has attracted great attention from all parties since its launch, especially for the US military that is determined to seize global air hegemony. The launch and large-scale service of the J-20 have completely lost the US military's technological and equipment advantages over decades. The combat performance and modernization level of the J-20 are comparable to the F-35 and F-22, and are even better in some fields. This is something that the arrogant US Air Force cannot accept. Because of this, the invisible "J-20" cloud began to cover the heads of the US Air Force.
, but recently, with two remarks from US Pacific Air Force Commander Wellsbach and US Air Force Chief of Staff Brown, the evaluation of this most advanced fighter aircraft in service in has changed dramatically in 180 degrees.
Speaking of Wellsbach, I believe many military fans still remember that it was this US Air Force general who publicly mentioned at an event at the beginning of the year that the PLA J-20 fighter jets and the US F-35 fighter jets suddenly encountered over the East China Sea , and the excellent performance of China's fifth-generation fighter jets left a deep impression on him.
But just a few months later, Wellsbach suddenly changed his attitude and emphasized that the rapid expansion of the scale of the Chinese air force made the top leaders of the US military "shocked", but the J-20 fighter just "looks OK". If he confronts the US fifth-generation aircraft in the actual combat environment, he has "almost no chance of winning." Of course, he also admitted that due to confidentiality, the US Air Force has very few opportunities to evaluate this potential opponent.
The US military's opportunity to evaluate the J-20 fighter jets is mainly concentrated in the confrontation between the Chinese and US Western Pacific waters. Wellsbach emphasized that through several "close contacts" with the J-20, the US Air Force "learned a lot", but he believed that there was nothing "exciting" and that "many people were too anxious."
Although Wellsbach did not nakedly advocate that the J-20 "is not worthy of its name" and "substantial performance" out of respect for its potential competitors, the derogatory meaning behind its tone has been fully exposed. There are more than one US Air Force general who knows the same as him.
US Air Force Chief of Staff Brown said that the scale of the J-20 fighter jet has shown rapid expansion, and the US military and its allies must remain vigilant about this. But at the same time, he also believes that this advanced People's Liberation Army fighter jet "has not yet reached the point where people can't sleep."
The reason why senior U.S. military officials have changed their attitudes from "fearing the J-20" to "belief of the J-20" is not that the Pentagon believes that the actual combat performance of the J-20 is "really unsatisfactory", but that it is to calm the recent criticism of the US Air Force that the US Air Force "spends a lot of money and does not do anything." To fully deny the threat of the J-20 to the United States, the US military has no reason to "spend a lot of money"; to highly affirm the combat effectiveness of the J-20, the American people have no sense of "security". Therefore, it can only be used to devalue the outside world to dispel the adverse evaluation of oneself through appropriate degree of belittlement.
Immediately afterwards, Wellsbach talked about the US Air Force, "well-trained, well-equipped, and capable of defeating all external threats."
Compared with Wellsbach and Brown's flexible evaluation of the J-20, Kelly, commander of the Air Combat Command, responsible for the training and supervision of US Air Force fighter pilots, has a consistent and accurate understanding. He believes that China's new generation of fighter jets represented by the J-20 have become a "growing threat" to the US Air Force. "China's fighter jet R&D department has used the method of 'overtaking on the curve' to quickly bridge the technological gap between generations in a short period of time. This is a miracle in the entire history of fighter jet development."
On the other hand, the Chinese Air Force also slapped the US in the face with practical actions. On September 27, Chinese Air Force spokesman Shen Jin University of Science and Technology disclosed many important information in his speech.
First, the J-20 "Weilong" of China's fifth-generation fighter jet has been spread across the "East, West, South, North and Central" and has more and more troops installed;
Second, in military operations against Taiwan, the J-20 cooperates highly with the H-6K and the oil transport-20 to effectively enhance the joint combat capabilities of multiple fighters and enhance firm confidence in defending national sovereignty.
"scattered throughout the east, west, south, north and middle", not only represents that the J-20 fighter jets are widely distributed in all directions of China, but also symbolizes that all five major war zones of its equipment are used. Previously, foreign media revealed that with the acceleration of the production of J-20 in flight, each theater air force has at least one aviation brigade equipped with J-20 fighter jets. In early 2021, Hong Kong media analyzed through official reports that the total number of J-20s was about 150. After almost two years, this number is expected to rise to 200.
In contrast, the US military has less than 200 F-22s entered the retirement rhythm. Although the F-35 has entered the stage of mass production, its comprehensive performance, especially its safety, is not on the same level as the J-20. The results of the single-machine performance competition between China and the United States seem to have been released.
knowingly the Pentagon is gradually losing its advantage, it is relying on the sixth-generation NGAD aircraft, but far water cannot save the near fire. In the current context of the escalating military game between China and the United States, the only way for the US Air Force to avoid exposing its shortcomings is to strategic contraction and avoid direct confrontation with the People's Liberation Army. Otherwise, if you are embarrassed, it will be a more terrifying thing than a battlefield defeat.
