Is the Xiaolong a Russian-origin aircraft? Russian media presents an ironclad evidence, and Chinese netizens are speechless!

Recently, the Russian military website Topwar published an article that put forward a serious view: the "Xiaolong" fighter jet, jointly developed by China and Pakistan, is essentially a "Russian aircraft with Russian blood running through its entire body".

The article claims that although the avionics and aerodynamics of the Xiaolong are designed and produced by China, it is essentially a derivative of the MiG-21, so it should be classified as a Russian aircraft.

To support this view, the article even cited the example of Israel's F-35I, claiming that despite having different avionics, radar, and guidance systems, it is essentially an American aircraft.

The story of the Xiaolong does have historical ties to the MiG-21. In the 1980s, China launched the "Super-7" project, aiming to make significant improvements based on the J-7 (a Chinese copy of the MiG-21).

At that time, the Pakistani Air Force urgently needed to update its aging aircraft, but struggled with the high cost of importing advanced aircraft, so they hoped to join the "Super-7" project to co-develop it.

From an aerodynamic layout perspective, the Xiaolong adopted advanced technologies such as "leading-edge root extensions" and "DSI intakes" on both sides, achieving good maneuverability. Its high angle-of-attack performance even surpasses that of the F-16A.

These aerodynamic designs cannot be found in Russian aircraft.

The avionics system has made a leap forward. The Xiaolong is equipped with a fully glass cockpit and data bus technology, featuring multiple large-sized multifunctional liquid crystal displays, and also uses a third-generation diffraction HUD head-up display with a wide field of view.

The flight control system adopts a redundant digital fly-by-wire control system, providing precise and smooth handling. From a technical system perspective, the Xiaolong from avionics, weapons, to the power system, is full of "Chinese characteristics." The claim by Russian media that it is "entirely of Russian lineage" clearly contradicts the facts.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847101532336132/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.