The Sukhoi Su-57 arrived in China on November 4 ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (CIAAE), which will begin on November 12 near Zhuhai in Guangdong Province. The Russian fighter was seen up close by Chinese citizens and media, and it began receiving ridicule for obvious design flaws in the stealth panels and screw configurations. Noticeable gaps in the panels on the aircraft's underbelly were apparent, as observed via TikTok. The screw configurations were also visible, featuring a variety of head styles, including Phillips, flathead, and hex. Gaps in panels are a significant issue for stealth aircraft, as any flaws in panel alignment can increase radar cross-section and compromise stealth capabilities.
The airshow also revealed up-close images of the Chinese J-35A, a mock-up of the American F-35 stealth fighter. This is the first time the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has revealed a prototype of this jet, marking a significant advance in Chinese PLAAF capabilities. There are reportedly two versions of this jet: one for the Air Force and one capable of landing on aircraft carriers for the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF). In this particular image, a "75" is located on the tail of the J-35A, likely marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. The J-35A has no projected timeline for entering service.
Another Reveal for the PLAAF: A Carrier Version of In-Service Aircraft
The last aircraft the PLANAF revealed was a catapult variant of the J-15 multi-role aircraft. This variant features a CATOBAR launch capability not seen in other versions of the jet. If the J-15 looks familiar, it’s likely because it closely resembles the U.S. F/A-18 fighter aircraft. This version is the J-15T, which likely stands for "Tanshe," meaning catapult launch.
It is evident that the Chinese Communist Party’s armed forces are significantly enhancing their naval capabilities in preparation for a potential conflict over Taiwan.
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