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a) I'm not saying one way or the other, I'm saying we don't really have lot of info on what it actually is and does. b) China is not among the world's most adv

a) I'm not saying one way or the other, I'm saying we don't really have lot of info on what it actually is and does. b) China is not among the world's most advanced in the series of technical bits necessary for this: stealth, jet aircraft engine, weapons systems, underlying operational capabilities. c) China hasn't dropped live munitions on an actual target in what, decades? Do they have a single AFB out of their borders? Do they have an operable aircraft carrier? Do they interoperate with dozens of other nations? Have they flown actual stealth missions? You have to do all of that to get good at it. I will be a long while.

olympus 9y ago
The stance you're taking is one that is dangerous. China has a billion people and a lot of really smart ones. a) The J-20 does fly, but it isn't fully operational. But functioning prototypes do exist and have fired missiles. If you aren't satisfied with pictures and videos I guess you'll just have to join the PLAAF and become a pilot yourself. b) China may bad at engine construction and lag in stealth, but they are world class at designing weapons and their operational ability. The PL-12 and upcoming PL-15 are extremely advanced and their integrated air defense is seriously good. c) China has drops live munitions on regular occasion. They do it during training and during weapons development. Just because the US and Russia are dropping bombs in Syria doesn't mean they are getting good practice out of it. China's aerospace development is far beyond their aircraft carrier development. Don't think that just because they can't project power across the globe that they are impotent. The ability to operate carriers and resupply underway is exclusive to the USA. Literally every other country has to stop at a friendly port to resupply. China threatens plenty of countries within its range. The thing about war with China is that it's asymmetric, so they don't have to be as good as the USA to cause problems. If China attacks Taiwan (a commonly hypothesized scenario) they have a huge home team advantage while the USA has to drag everything halfway across the world. The USA can't rest because as soon as they are close enough to defend Taiwan they are under 24/7 threat from Chinese subs, ships, cruise missiles, and planes. China gets to use 100% of it's military for that fight, and the USA cannot use 100% because of the long logistical tail.
- alexasmyths 9y ago
  "China has a billion people and a lot of really smart ones." So does India. So does Africa. 1) "But functioning prototypes do exist and have fired missiles." I agree, but what do those prototypes actually do? Is the real question. 2) " they are world class at designing weapons and their operational ability." - how many real targets have they hit i the last decade? I'm sure they are smart. But not even the Chinese know how their gear will work in the field. 3) "China has drops live munitions on regular occasion. They do it during training and during weapons development. Just because the US and Russia are dropping bombs in Syria doesn't mean they are getting good practice out of it. " Uhh, yes - it does. And when I'm referring to 'dropping munitions' - I'm referring to the massive machine of operations support and tech that underlie 'the dropping of those bombs'. Do they have the forward air controllers? Are they good? If not - Air Force is severely hampered. Do they have the AWACS capabilities - or will their entire AF be rendered useless in the blink of an eye by e-warfare. The list goes on and on.

olympus 9y ago

The stance you're taking is one that is dangerous. China has a billion people and a lot of really smart ones. a) The J-20 does fly, but it isn't fully operational. But functioning prototypes do exist and have fired missiles. If you aren't satisfied with pictures and videos I guess you'll just have to join the PLAAF and become a pilot yourself. b) China may bad at engine construction and lag in stealth, but they are world class at designing weapons and their operational ability. The PL-12 and upcoming PL-15 are extremely advanced and their integrated air defense is seriously good. c) China has drops live munitions on regular occasion. They do it during training and during weapons development. Just because the US and Russia are dropping bombs in Syria doesn't mean they are getting good practice out of it. China's aerospace development is far beyond their aircraft carrier development. Don't think that just because they can't project power across the globe that they are impotent. The ability to operate carriers and resupply underway is exclusive to the USA. Literally every other country has to stop at a friendly port to resupply. China threatens plenty of countries within its range. The thing about war with China is that it's asymmetric, so they don't have to be as good as the USA to cause problems. If China attacks Taiwan (a commonly hypothesized scenario) they have a huge home team advantage while the USA has to drag everything halfway across the world. The USA can't rest because as soon as they are close enough to defend Taiwan they are under 24/7 threat from Chinese subs, ships, cruise missiles, and planes. China gets to use 100% of it's military for that fight, and the USA cannot use 100% because of the long logistical tail.

alexasmyths 9y ago
"China has a billion people and a lot of really smart ones." So does India. So does Africa. 1) "But functioning prototypes do exist and have fired missiles." I agree, but what do those prototypes actually do? Is the real question. 2) " they are world class at designing weapons and their operational ability." - how many real targets have they hit i the last decade? I'm sure they are smart. But not even the Chinese know how their gear will work in the field. 3) "China has drops live munitions on regular occasion. They do it during training and during weapons development. Just because the US and Russia are dropping bombs in Syria doesn't mean they are getting good practice out of it. " Uhh, yes - it does. And when I'm referring to 'dropping munitions' - I'm referring to the massive machine of operations support and tech that underlie 'the dropping of those bombs'. Do they have the forward air controllers? Are they good? If not - Air Force is severely hampered. Do they have the AWACS capabilities - or will their entire AF be rendered useless in the blink of an eye by e-warfare. The list goes on and on.