As China fields two fifth-gen fighters, US defense analysts argue the Pentagon must maintain separate sixth-gen programs tailored to Navy and Air Force needs amid global threats.
The United States and China are currently the only two nations whose respective air forces operate two distinct “fifth-generation” jet fighters. The United States had a clear lead, developing the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter, followed by Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The latter is even produced in three unique variants and has gone on to be the most successful fighter program of the post-Cold War era, with more than 1,100 now in service around the globe.
However, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) have sought to close the gap, developing two fifth-generation fighters in short order. These include the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon and Shenyang J-35.
There has been speculation that Beijing’s efforts were aided by its state-sponsored hackers, which provided the Chinese aerospace industry with details about both of Lockheed Martin’s aircraft programs. It is hard not to see some Raptor DNA in the Mighty Dragon.
This, of course, doesn’t mean that the J-20 or J-35 should be seen as superior to the US aircraft. China has struggled with its engines for the J-20, but it has made significant improvements. However, replicating years of experience and the trial-and-error process that came with it is challenging.
How Does Military Production Differ Between America and China?
China’s ability to advance its aerospace programs also highlights its distinct political system.
Wayne Shaw, director for Aerospace & Defense at international consultancy firm Frost & Sullivan, told The National Interest that much of it comes down to China being a communist nation with one of the largest workforces in the world.
Given the allegations of human rights abuses, it isn’t surprising that China is narrowing the gap. Although Boeing workers went on strike last year, shuttering its production lines, such an event would be unthinkable in China.
“There are only so many people [in the USA] that have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to design and build modern jet aircraft and for the production side, they are largely unionized which has its own set of requirements for working conditions, work day length, pay and benefits, etc.,” Shaw explained. “In China, there are no restrictions on such things as would be found on that production line in Fort Worth, Texas, or in Hawthorne, California.”
The Pentagon Will Commit to the F-47 and F/A-XX
However, the US has a growing aerospace industry in many parts of the country, which should be seen as good news for the Pentagon, which may soon have two sixth-generation fighter programs in the works.
“[The US] can more than provide the capacity in terms of plant space and workforce to take on the challenge of designing and building the F/A-XX for the Navy in addition to the Boeing F-47 for the USAF,” Shaw continued.
He further told The National Interest that it would be a mistake for the programs to merge, even as such a plan has gained traction. The US Air Force needs the F-47, just as the US Navy needs a carrier-based replacement for the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
“With the Russo-Ukraine War having gone on for over three years now, the recent US bombing of Iranian nuclear weapons production sites, and the continuing tensions with China over the South China Seas, do we have time, or money to go back and redesign the F-47 to attempt to meet carrier-based requirements,” Shaw warned. “In this analyst and veteran’s humble opinion, no, we do not. We need to give the US president the ability to deploy a US Navy Carrier Strike Group sent steaming towards a trouble spot with sixth generation fighter jets on the roof just like the US Air Force needs to have the same for those parts of the world not within range of an ‘Alpha Strike’ from a carrier strike group.”
This is about developing the right aircraft for the mission, Shaw concluded.
“And in most Operations Plans (OPLANs), the Combined/Joint Forces Air Component Commander (C/JFACC) will have responsibility for establishing air superiority over the Area of Operation (AOR), and they will lean very heavily on land-based airpower for that task.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/United States Air Force.
