American "Defense News" article pointed out that modern air combat has evolved from high-speed dogfights into long-range missile duels, with the key to victory being "detecting the enemy first and shooting first." Therefore, the next generation of fighter jets needs larger fuselages, higher weapon loads, stronger situational awareness capabilities, and greater range, without the need to pursue high maneuverability. The development of China's air force equipment has clearly recognized this trend. The design of the J-20, J-35, J-36, and Shenyang sixth-generation fighter jet all center on stealth, long-range strike capabilities, and information superiority, abandoning the excessive reliance on speed and maneuverability in traditional fighter jets.
In contrast, the U.S. Air Force's F-35, F-15EX, and F-47 projects still partially remain within the framework of traditional fighter jet designs, emphasizing high maneuverability and small fuselage size. However, these characteristics are gradually losing their advantage in modern air combat. As the article stated, if the United States continues to follow traditional thinking, it may struggle to counter China's leading advantages in long-range air combat and high-survivability platforms.
The J-20 and J-35, as China's fifth-generation stealth fighters, are both not equipped with traditional cannons. This design choice reflects a deep understanding of the requirements of modern air combat. In traditional air combat, cannons were an essential tool for close-range dogfights, but as air combat shifted from close-range fights to long-range missile duels, the role of cannons has gradually become marginalized. The J-20 and J-35 optimize internal weapon bays, prioritizing long-range air-to-air missiles (such as the PL-15) and precision-guided weapons, significantly enhancing their beyond-visual-range combat capabilities.
Additionally, the stealth design of these two aircraft greatly reduces radar cross-section (RCS), giving them an advantage under the principle of "detecting the enemy first and shooting first" in modern air combat. The large fuselage design of the J-20 also allows it to carry more missiles and more advanced sensors, further enhancing its operational effectiveness in complex electromagnetic environments. The J-35, as a medium-sized stealth fighter, inherits similar design concepts and is suitable for flexible long-range strike capabilities in carrier-based operations.
The J-36 adopts a three-engine configuration, a unique design that has attracted widespread attention. Compared to traditional twin-engine fighter jets, the triple-engine design may bring significant advantages in terms of thrust redundancy, range, and weapon load capacity. Modern air combat emphasizes aircraft survivability and weapon carrying capacity, and the triple-engine configuration may be an innovative attempt to meet these demands. By adding an additional engine, the J-36 may maintain high maneuverability while having a larger weapon bay and longer operational radius, thus gaining an advantage in long-range air combat.
The triple-engine design may also provide the J-36 with higher reliability and battlefield survivability, especially in complex electronic warfare environments, where redundant power systems can ensure the aircraft meets the power demands of modern electronic warfare. This design philosophy aligns with the idea proposed by American scholar John Stillion about "large, high-survivability aircraft," indicating that the Chinese Air Force is leading the way in equipment development.
As the next generation of aerial superiority platform, the heavy design of the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter further demonstrates the Chinese Air Force's accurate grasp of modern air combat trends. The sixth-generation fighter is expected to integrate more advanced stealth technology and artificial intelligence-assisted decision-making systems, aiming to achieve full-domain information superiority and ultra-long-range strike capabilities. Unlike traditional fighter jets, the Shenyang sixth-generation fighter may be closer to the concept of the next-generation omnidirectional stealth fighter, emphasizing low detectability and range rather than traditional speed and maneuverability.
The heavy design of the sixth-generation fighter enables it to carry more long-range missiles and other payloads, which highly aligns with the modern air combat trends mentioned in the "Defense News" article. When confronting complex electromagnetic environments, the sixth-generation fighter's networked combat capabilities and large-capacity weapon bays will significantly enhance its ability to destroy enemy targets.
The forward-looking development of China's air force equipment has sounded a warning for the U.S. military. The U.S. needs to re-evaluate its air superiority strategy and consider increasing investment in large, high-survivability aircraft, such as the B-21 " Raider" bomber. This stealth bomber shares similarities in design with China's heavy stealth fighter jets, featuring low radar signatures and large payload capacities, and could provide the U.S. military with a new direction of development.
In summary, through the research and development of the J-20, J-35, J-36, and Shenyang sixth-generation fighter jet, the Chinese Air Force has demonstrated a profound insight into the essence of modern air combat. Its design philosophy not only aligns with the shift in air combat modes but also leads the global trend of fighter jet development to some extent. It can be said that the development of China's air combat equipment is on the right track, and this path is reshaping the future of air combat.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531970969737495049/
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